The San Diego Padres have been in many narrow encounters this season and are usually at the mercy of their bullpen to secure wins. After the MLB Trade Deadline, many teams have added some important arms to their bullpen. In the late stages of the game, one can consider guaranteed for them. Still, the series finale against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday was a massive upset felt at Petco Park and with the Padres’ postseason hopes.
Parker Meadows’ Grand Slam Rocks San Diego Padres
Much as the game appeared to be a done deal for the San Diego Padres, the Tigers headed to the ninth inning with trailing 3-0, with only one out remaining. Padres Closer Robert Suarez, who was one of the team’s most serviceable arms to the end of the regular season, was facing Parker Meadows with two out. What followed was a stunning moment: Meadows hit a go-ahead grand slam which saw the team go from leading comfortably 3-0 to a shocking 4-3 defeat.
That was the first time the San Diego Padres bullpen had blown a lead since it had been given to them by the starting pitcher on June 2. Padres Manager Mike Shildt expressed his support for Suarez after the game, stating that: “He’s been fantastic for us. Let’s give him his due, he’s been tremendous. I wouldn’t say he’s spoiled us, but nothing’s automatic in this game.”
Missed Opportunity In Playoff Race
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Securing the win would have improved San Diego’s standing in the playoffs. The Braves and Diamondbacks had already lost and with both the Dodgers and the Mets off, San Diego had a chance to make up some ground. Now they are five games behind Los Angeles in the NL West and only ½ game ahead of Arizona for the top Wild Card Spot. The San Diego Padres are now three games ahead of New York and Atlanta but failed to make a big gap out of it.
Early Offense, Strong Start from Pérez
Jurickson Profar kicked off the scoring with a homer in the first inning, followed by Xander Bogaerts with a two-run shot in the second. Martín Pérez put in a solid performance, pitching 6.1 scoreless innings, providing the San Diego Padres’ bullpen a crucial break after heavy use the previous night.
Jason Adam and Tanner Scott successfully bridged the gap, pitching clean innings in the seventh and eighth, but things unraveled for Suarez in the ninth. Pitching for the fourth time in five days, Suarez allowed a leadoff single and two walks, setting the stage for Meadows’ grand slam.
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