The San Diego Padres have won three straight games (31-33) in the 40 days since May 2.
Pitching matchups at Coors Field, the “graveyard of pitchers,” are very rare. What’s more, the Padres are very weak in one-run games this year. They are just 4-11, including a 3-2 win on April 11. The Miami Marlins are the strongest at 16-5 in one-run games. This is more a result of the bullpen’s blown saves than the hitters’ inability to overcome a one-run deficit.
In Game 2 at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies, manager Bob Melvin allowed starter Ryan Weathers to pitch three innings (one run) and turned it into a bullpen game. If the previous day’s 9-6 Coors Field victory was a fireworks show, this one was a pitcher’s duel.
The hero of the game was third baseman Manny Machado, who caught pinch-hitter Mike Moustakas’ hit in foul territory with one out in the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead. The Padres had given up an unearned run in the fifth inning on an infield error and a wild pitch. In the eighth inning, leadoff hitter Yoenis Cespedes singled to center field and was stranded at third on a wild pitch and grounder.
Rockies manager Bud Black brought in Mustachus, a left-handed hitter, to pinch-hit against right-hander Nick Martinez. Two pitches later, Machado, who chased with his back to third base foul territory, juggled four pitches before scooping it up and throwing straight to home plate from a prone position to end the runner’s rush home.
Coach Melvin said, “My reaction when Manny made the catch was, ‘Oh my God! It was a big play with great athleticism.” At the plate, Machado went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
The second baseman reached base in all four of his at-bats with runners on base. He drew a one-out walk in the sixth inning and came around to score on Fernando Tatis’ RBI double with the bases loaded. He went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and two strikeouts, dropping his average to .242.먹튀검증
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kim’s throw to second base on Alan Trejo’s grounder to short was slightly high and the catcher’s tackle was late, allowing the run to score. An accurate throw home would have prevented the run.
The bullpen sealed the win for the Padres, who went nine innings, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and a strikeout to preserve the 3-2 victory. Josh Hader struck out three batters and walked two to earn his 15th save of the season. On Dec. 12, the team will attempt to win four straight games for the first time this season. Their three-game winning streak is the longest of the year.