Robert Suarez has San Diego Padres debut to forget

Robert Suarez had been an interesting pitcher in free agency. The Nippon Professional Baseball veteran had emerged as a dominant closer for the Hanshin Tigers, notching 67 saves over the past two seasons. It was understandable that he had plenty of interest around the league before signing with the San Diego Padres.

Suarez is expected to have a major role in the Padres’ bullpen. He had actually been the favorite to be the closer before their acquisition of Taylor Rogers on Opening Day, showing the faith the organization has in the 31 year old rookie. Then Opening Day came.

Robert Suarez makes unfortunate history in San Diego Padres debut

He was entrusted with the Padres 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Maybe it was a matter of nerves in his major league debut, but Suarez completely fell apart. He walked two of the three batters he faced, hitting the third with a pitch, before being mercifully pulled from the game. However, relief was not to be had as a wild pitch plated a run and Seth Beer belted a walk-off three run homer to send San Diego to defeat.

Suarez made history in that outing. He became the first pitcher since Frank Dupee in 1901 to face three batters, walk or hit all of them, and take the loss in his major league debut. Dupee, however, started that game and then never pitched in the majors again. He did, however, go on to pitch for years in the minors, primarily in the old New England League.

Chances are, Suarez will have plenty more opportunities to prove himself. Although Rogers is going to have the ninth inning, Suarez is still going to have a key role in the bullpen and should be one of the Padres’ primary setup men. One outing will not change his future.

Everyone has their dream as to how their major league debut will turn out. For San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez, that dream became a nightmare.