SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Heading into the regular season, the NL West is one of the most competitive divisions in the MLB. Last year’s World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are the favorites again this year with a star-studded lineup. However, the San Diego Padres (2-0) are poised to make a run at the division crown. With Fernando Tatis Jr. signing a 14-year deal in the offseason, the Padres are among the most interesting teams.
This early in the season, it is tough to get a read on how each team’s season will go. However, the Padres (2-0) are on track, following up their Opening Day win with a 4-2 win over Arizona (0-2). They have jumped out to an early lead in the NL West by grabbing two quick wins over the Diamondbacks.
Through two games, former all-star Eric Hosmer is mashing the baseball. On Opening Day, he opened up the season with 3 hits, including a home run and 3 RBI’s. He continued on his hot streak on Friday, adding another home run, 3 more hits, and 3 RBI’s. His 2-run homer gave the Padres a 3-run lead in the bottom of the 3rd; then, his RBI single in the 7th gave them the 2-run cushion to secure the game.
For Hosmer, the first two games have been historic. His 13 total bases are the most through the team’s first 2 games in franchise history. Also, no other Padres player has recorded three hits in games 1 and 2 of the season.
Snell Fans Eight in Short Outing
On the mound, 2018 Cy Young winner Blake Snell mans the 2nd slot in the Padres starting rotation. With Yu Darvish’s acquisition in the offseason, the Padres rotation is becoming a dangerous group to deal with. Darvish and Snell provide a solid one-two punch at the top of their rotation.
On Friday, Snell was dealing; he finished with 0 earned runs and 8 K’s in 4.2 innings of work. In the middle of the season, Snell probably would have gone deeper in this game. However, at 86 pitches in his first game of the year, manager Jayce Tingler decided to bring his game to an end.
According to TIngler, pulling Snell was based on “100% pitch count. … We’re trying to be disciplined early. There’s a time to let him go. I kind of had it in my mind tonight 85 pitches or so, right there.”
Following Snell’s departure, the Padres turned to Craig Stammen, who allowed Arizona to creep back into the game. He allowed a 2-out, 2-run home run to Ketel Marte in the top of the 7th, cutting the lead to 1.
Since Snell left the game before the end of the 5th, he was ineligible for the win; therefore, reliever Emilio Pagan picked up his 2nd win of the season. In the 9th, Mark Melancon allowed two baserunners before closing the door, earning his 2nd save in two games.
Up Next
Padres vs. Diamondbacks, Saturday, April 3, Petco Park, San Diego, Calif.
