Sometimes one run is all it takes.
That was the case for the San Diego Padres yesterday in their win over the Colorado Rockies. It was, by far, the lowest scoring game at Coors Field ever, with only one run being tallied in the hitter-friendly park.
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Both starters had it working, but it was Randy Vásquez who won out. He pitched seven shutout innings against the Rox. Although Colorado starter Chase Dollander looked just as good (if not better) for six innings, he gave up one run to the Friars on a bases-loaded walk to Manny Machado. That was all the Padres would need.
Tonight, they’ll hope to win their fourth straight, and take their sixth consecutive series, with one more win over Colorado.
Taking the mound
Tomoyuki Sugano (COL) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Sugano has had a mostly-solid start to the year. He’s pitching to a 3.92 ERA with his new ball club, and limiting batters to a .241 average. Those are markedly better numbers than last year’s marks (4.64 ERA, .276 BA).
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But in his last start he gave up five runs to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, only getting through four frames in the outing. If the Padres can get to him similarly, they’ll have no trouble tonight.
Buehler has had a similar turnaround. After allowing seven runs between his first two outings, he’s only allowed two since (11.0 IP). That includes a six-inning shutout of Colorado a week ago in Petco Park that started the bounce back campaign for the right-hander.
If Buehler can keep the good times rolling, it would signify a clear shift from his start to the season. It would also keep the streak of scoreless outings from San Diego starters moving. The last three (Germán Márquez, Michael King and Randy Vásquez) have combined for 17 2/3 scoreless innings.
Batter up!
With the lack of thump yesterday, the Padres will hope that their lineup can deliver against Sugano. That being said, not many have great track records against the righty. The club is 4-for-25 against him, with two of those being home runs (Luis Campusano and Gavin Sheets).
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But against the righty, manager Craig Stammen seems pretty set with his lineup:
It’s worth wondering when Machado might come out of the cleanup spot. He’s been off to an incredibly cold start to the year, batting just .178 so far. If he can turn that around in this series, it would go a long way toward assuaging any concerns about his bat.
But, more than that, if the Friars can’t figure things out tonight against Sugano, they’ll have as tough a time as they did yesterday against Dollander.
Relief corps
With Vásquez having his longest start of the year of seven innings, the Friars only needed to use Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon to get the job done. The two will likely be unavailable today, though Morejon managed to finish the ninth on only eight pitches so don’t be too surprised if he trots out of the ‘pen in a high-leverage spot.
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That leaves San Diego with a plethora of options in Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta, Bradgley Rodriguez and closer Mason Miller.
Miller remained in reserve despite a narrow lead going into the ninth. With the off day Monday, it was surprising to see him on the bench, but Stammen has his reasons. That being said, Miller will be on the mound tonight if the Padres take a lead to the ninth.
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