Jackson Merrill hit a first-inning solo home run to put the San Diego Padres ahead of the San Francisco Giants, 1-0 but that was all the offensive excitement the Padres could muster for much of the game. Randy Vasquez started on the mound for San Diego and continued to be effective. However, with an offense that seems to have largely disappeared, the three runs allowed by Vasquez and Luis Arraez, proved to be too much for the Padres to overcome. San Diego dropped the series opener to San Francisco,
3-2. Arraez was the offensive leader for the Giants with two doubles and two runs scored. Merrill was the only offense for the Padres until the top of the ninth inning. He finished the night 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Ramon Laureano hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the ninth inning to make the score, 3-2 but Fernando Tatis struck out for the third time in the game, Merrill grounded out and Manny Machado struck out on a check swing the end the game. Merrill and Laureano combined for three hits, which were the only hits in the game for San Diego. The Padres did not draw a walk and had 10 strikeouts in the game. San Diego will try to bounce back with a win in the second game of the series at 6:45 p.m.
Padres News:
- It’s always hard to say goodbye, but Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball thinks that is exactly what the Padres should do with Nick Castellanos. The veteran was brought in to slug, but he has not been able to get going offensively and San Diego may not have time to wait.
- The Padres salvaged their series against the Chicago White Sox with a win in the final game at Petco Park. Griffin Canning started the game and although he did not get a decision, his performance was one of the highlights of the week according to Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball.
- Mason Miller was named the National League Reliever of the Month for the second consecutive month.
- The Padres added Canning to their rotation on Sunday and Luca Giolito continues to build up in the minors before coming to the big-league team. AJ Cassavell of Padres.com believes they can and should do more.
Baseball News:
- Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow which will send him to the IL for the foreseeable future.
- The New York Yankees completed a four-game sweep on the same day they learned former announcer John Sterling passed away.
- The Athletics made a trade with the Texas Rangers to add Jonah Heim to improve their offense.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto recorded eight strikeouts to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Houston Astros.
- The Boston Red Sox scored five runs in the seventh inning to help Peyton Tolle get his first MLB win.
- Michael Conforto hit a solo walk-off home run to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Cincinatti Reds.
- Aaron Nola had a strong start and helped the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Miami Marlins.
