Stock Down: San Diego Padres 2023 season continues to hit new lows
To say that the Padres season is hitting a critical point is an understatement. Fading fast in the National League West and in the Wild Card, the schedule hit a point that they desperately needed against the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Not even two of the NL’s struggling foes could save the Friars.
San Diego dropped two out of three at home against the Nationals last weekend, then traveled for a three-game series against the Pirates, who entered the three-game set losers of 12 of their last 13 games. Turns out all Pittsburgh needed was a visit from a team struggling like them.
The Pirates had scored 30 runs in their previous 13 games before the opener Tuesday night, but they exploded for nine runs on 16 hits in a 9-4 win. If that wasn’t bad enough for the Padres, Wednesday night, seven more runs on nine hits led to a 7-1 Pirates rout. Pittsburgh completed the three-game sweep with a 5-4 Wednesday in a game in which they rallied from a 4-1 deficit.
Following their loss to the Nationals Sunday, shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ frustration came out and you have to think he’s not the only one in that locker room that feels the same way. Bogaerts was an addition to an already-loaded roster that has spent the first half of the season underachieving. Time is running out, but losing five of six to the Nationals and Pirates is not a step in the right direction in terms of saving their season.