San Diego Padres: Three Takeaways From 7-6 Loss to Nationals
By Ben Fadden
The San Diego Padres fell to the Washington Nationals on Sunday in their second consecutive extra-inning game. Here are three takeaways.
The San Diego Padres took two out of three from the Nationals and won five in a row, so there is a reason for excitement if you are a Padres fan, but there are also reasons to be stressed out.
1. Padres Finally Have a Consistent Offense
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The Padres yet again gave the pitching staff the run support they needed, which is a very positive sign to see. Fernando Tatis Jr. went 3-5 and scored a run, and Manny Machado also gave the Padres an RBI and scored a run.
But the real story was that of Eric Hosmer who scuffled out of the gate to start the season. On Sunday he hit his second home run of the series, a three-run home run to left field. He finished the game with two more hits and scored another run. If Eric Hosmer can stay hot, then there will not be a single hole in the lineup until perhaps Austin Hedges and/or Manuel Margot.
Greg Garcia finally got a well-earned start at second base after Ian Kinsler has been very cold. He hit a home run in his first at-bat and scored another run, so he should be the starting second basemen until Luis Urias is ready to return after he was sent down to get consistent at-bats.
2. Tatis Jr. Needs to Be Back Soon
Fernando Tatis Jr. left the game on Sunday in the tenth inning after doing the splits in an attempt to get a force out at second base. Fortunately, he was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power.
He needs to return quickly though because the Padres offense and defense will suffer without him. Andy Green was forced to move Manny Machado to shortstop and outfielder Wil Myers to third base for the remainder of the game, and that is not the ideal situation you want.
The probable infield without him would be Ty France at third base, Machado at short, Garcia at second base, and Hosmer rounding out the infield at first.
3. Padres Taking Positives From Nats Series
Andy Green expressed disappointment in his post-game press conference after the eleven inning loss but said the team will be taking the positives out of the series when they move onto Atlanta tomorrow.
Other than Lucchesi, the Padres starters have been superb, and they will look to continue the trend against a loaded Braves offense.
Next. Minnesota Twins not getting the attention they deserve. dark
The San Diego Padres were firing on all cylinders over the weekend, hitting five home runs. If they don’t hit in Atlanta they will be in trouble.