Yes, Padres fans. It’s actually happening. After rumors of a possible promotion picked up steam over the past few days, Austin Hedges has joined the big league ballclub in San Francisco as the Padres begin their nine day road trip against the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Mariners. ALL HAIL THE CHOSEN ONE!

The rumors started circulating as to what the reason for Hedges promotion actually was on Sunday evening. Well, there could be a good number of reasons. The first, and likely the most obvious, is that Derek Norris is in desperate need of some rest, or at the very least, some time away from catching duties. Over the past few games, Norris has taken an absolute beating behind the dish. If we’re going to get a full season’s worth of work from Norris, he’s going to require a reliable backup to give him the time off that he needs. Wil Nieves has not been that guy. If you take away Nieves’ grand slam back on April 12th against the Giants, the 37-year-old veteran has been a complete disaster both at bat and behind the plate. Honestly, if Nieves was not designated for assignment on Monday morning, it would come as a total shock.

The second scenario is that Yonder Alonso might be in need of a trip to the DL after getting drilled in the back by a Kenny Roberts pitch in the 8th inning of Sunday’s sweep-clinching victory against the Rockies. Yangervis Solarte finished the game at 1B in the 9th inning. I’m no doctor, but Alonso appeared to be in a lot of pain and could need multiple days off. Speculation on twitter was that Norris would see time at 1B if Alonso was going to be shelved. While shifting Norris to 1B occasionally could be an option, it should also be noted that the only times Norris has seen playing time at 1B was one game as an 18-year-old in his rookie league season with the Washington Nationals organization and four innings of work as a member of the Oakland Athletics in 2013.

The third scenario is that Joaquin Benoit might he headed to the DL. In case you missed the “dead arm” talk, I’ll bring you up to speed. Over the past couple of days, the word floating around Petco Park was that Benoit had a “dead arm” and might be a candidate for the disabled list. This rumor was reaffirmed before the game this afternoon on Padres Social Hour. Fast forward to the 8th inning. Who comes running out of the bullpen? Non other than Joaquin Benoit. So, what does Benoit and his now undead, zombie arm do? He just retires all three Rockies hitters that he faced. So much for the “dead arm” talk, right? Well, maybe not. Although Benoit pitched a great 8th inning, he may still have some issues with his arm not being at full strength. Considering how well Benoit pitched, I wouldn’t say this is a likely outcome, but not an improbably one, either.

Whatever the case may be, there’s no denying that this most recent move only adds to the buzz that has surrounded this ballclub since general manager A.J. Preller lit the 2014 Padres on fire and raised the exciting, new-look 2015 Padres from their ashes. However long Hedges stays with the big league club remains to be seen. Regardless, all eyes will be on Hedges come Monday night at AT&T Park. His time is now.

** UPDATE: Wil Nieves was designated for assignment on Monday morning per Corey Brock **

Padres Public | Austin Hedges: Your newest Padres (backup) catcher!.

After the 2014 season, Austin Hedges had amassed a .225/.272/.314 slash line in 532 Double-A plate appearances. There was still plenty to dream on after back-to-back disappointing years with the bat, like Hedges’ all-world defensive skill-set behind the dish and the fact that he entered the 2015 season at just 22 years of age. But, still, that bat. It needed a lot of work, so much so that Baseball America, which rated Hedges as the 27th-best prospect in the game prior to 2014, dropped him off its top-100 list entirely this year. (Baseball Prospectus remained more bullish.)

Luckily for the Padres, they were set with one of the best catcher duos in baseball after the 2014 season, with Rene Rivera and Yasmani Grandal providing an unexpected combination of offensive and defensive value. Set at the big league level, the Padres had plenty of time to wait on Hedges, allowing him to develop with the bat and further refine his defensive skills in the minors.

Then came the Offseason of Preller, where the new Padres’ general manager overturned the roster, dealing away both Rivera and Grandal while also acquiring, amidst the cloud of dust, a 26-year-old backstop named Derek Norris. After Tim Federowicz (also acquired via trade), the likely backup catcher, went down in spring training with a knee injury, the Padres turned to journeymen Wil Nieves for backup duties. Nieves, even ignoring his current super-small-sample (.077/.143/.308) slash line, isn’t cut out for regular work. His career OPS+ is a meager 61, and what’s left of any positive defensive value has probably evaporated. He’s 37 years old, just hanging on to a major league gig by a thread.

The lack of a true backup has forced the Padres to rely on Norris almost exclusively so far this season. He’s started 22 of the team’s first 26 games (and eight of the last nine), and he’s caught a National League leading 193 and two-thirds innings. Norris has been playing great — he’s posted a .846 OPS while pacing the Padres in doubles with 11, and he’s caught 10 attempted base thieves — but you’ve gotta wonder how well a starting catcher will hold up late in the season with such little rest. Think Salvador Perez.

Enter Hedges:

So, just last fall, Hedges finished off a miserable offensive season while the Padres had two more than capable catchers on the depth chart ahead of him. Now, just a month into the 2015 season, Hedges will make his major league debut. He’s done his part since being promoted to hitter-friendly Triple-A El Paso, hitting .343/.413/.552 with eight doubles, eight walks, and eight strikeouts in 75 plate appearances. It’s hard to believe Hedges’ bat is ready for everyday major league work based on that small sample turnaround, but it certainly isn’t a bad sign. The glove, however, is almost certainly ready, as Hedges has earned praise for all aspects of his defensive game, from his throwing ability to his pitch framing and game-calling skills.

But what, exactly, are the Padres going to do with him?

It seems most likely that the Padres will use Hedges as Norris’ backup, spelling the Padres’ starting catcher at a more frequent rate than Nieves was. The benefit here is that the Padres suddenly find themselves with an elite defensive backup at catcher, perhaps allowing them to matchup Hedges with a pitcher (Cashner, maybe?) in need of some pitch framing help or against a team that likes to steal bases. Further, they can ease him into major league plate appearances against, say, primarily left-handed starters or in hitter-friendly locales.

The downside here is that Hedges will only being playing once or twice a week, sitting on the bench when he could be — and probably should be — racking up reps against Triple-A pitching, developing his sub-par offensive game away from the pressure-packed bright lights of the majors. And what if Hedges really struggles offensively, and is eventually sent back to the minors with a .550 OPS? That’s far from an unrealistic scenario and it wouldn’t, by any means, be the end of Hedges in San Diego. But what would it do for his development? Or his confidence?

Another possible scenario is that the Padres ultimately turn to Hedges as the regular catcher, shifting Norris to first base. This seems unlikely, especially given Yonder Alonso‘s early performance at first. Norris himself isn’t a total liability behind the plate, despite the so-so framing numbers, and who knows how he’d transition to another position. And, heck, there’s always the possibility of a trade, something A.J. Preller isn’t shy about.

There are a lot more questions than answers as to how the Padres sort out Norris and Hedges right now (let alone long-term), which is why I’m going to stop trying to answer them. For now, we can sit back and enjoy Austin Hedges in major league form, a sight that’s sure to produce plenty of jaw-dropping moments as it is big league growing pains.

Padres Public | The Age of Hedges.

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after an evening at the pub trying your hardest to not punch everyone right in the nose who says “May the fourth be with you.” Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (14-13) scored fewer runs than the San Francisco Giants (13-13) last night at AT&T Park. At least, I think so. Zero is less than two, right? Damn.

Madison Bumgarner (3-1, 3.03) no-hit the Padres into the seventh inning, when Justin Upton laced a single to left field to leadoff the inning. Yangervis Solarte then followed with another single, but that’s was it. Bumgarner then struck out Jedd Gyorko, Will Middlebrooks flied out to center field, and Clint Barmes struck out to end the threat. Bumgarner finished with seven and a third innings pitched with two hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.

Tyson Ross (1-3, 4.15) struggled early to find the plate, surrendering both Giants runs in the third inning. Angel Pagan had an RBI single and Ross walked Justin Maxwell with the bases loaded for the second run. Ross pitched seven innings with seven hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.

Austin Hedges made his Major League debut in a pinch-hitting appearance for Ross in the eighth inning. Unfortunately, Hedges struck out on four pitches.

In the second game of the series tonight, the Giants will send out Ryan Vogelsong (0-2, 9.31) against the Friars and Andrew Cashner (1-4, 2.61) at 7:15pm PDT.

Recaps

Padres fall to dominant Bumgarner — Corey Brock and Alex Espinoza (MLB.com)

Giants blank Padres in series opener — Dennis Lin (UT San Diego)

Bumgarner pitches Giants past Padres for fourth straight win — Janie McCauley (The Associated Press)

Bumgarner pitches Giants past Padres — Andrew Baggarly (San Jose Mercury News)

Bumgarner takes no-hitter into seventh in Giants victory — Hank Schulmann (SFGate.com)

MLB Box Score

Quotes

“Keep running! Norris has a noodle arm!”
Giants fan, apparently unaware of Derek Norris‘ defensive prowess this season. (Lin)

“We thought he was our best option against a tough lefty. Every step he takes is going to be a new one for him. That might help him now that he’s got that under his belt.”
Bud Black, on Hedges debut. (Lin)

Tweets

Videos

Barmes starts double play

Upton breaks up no-hitter

Hedges’ first MLB at-bat

Upton throws out Belt

Photos

San Francisco Giants’ Justin Maxwell (43) steals second base as San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko reaches for a high throw from the plate during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, May 4, 2015, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco Giants’ Angel Pagan gets attention for his cut finger after stealing second base in 1st inning as San Diego Padres’ Clint Barmes looks on during MLB game at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, May 4, 2015. (The Chronicle/Scott Strazzante)

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford dives in vain for San Diego Padres’ Yangervis Solarte‘s single during the seventh inning of a Major League Baseball game, Monday, May 4, 2015, at AT&T Park in San Francisco. (Bay Area News Group/D. Ross Cameron)

The game summary in GIF form…

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking 2015 Game 27 (SD at SF).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after an afternoon fainting with excitement because Austin Hedges started his first game. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were swooning.

The Padres (15-14) scored a few more runs than the San Francisco Giants (14-14) yesterday, eventually ending up with a 9-1 win to avoid a three-game sweep.

Ian Kennedy (2-1, 5.03) gave up just the one run in seven innings on six hits and no walk with five strikeouts. Nori Aoki drove in Matt Duffy in the third inning for the Giants’ lone run. Brandon Maurer and Frank Garces each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

San Francisco’s Chris Heston (2-3, 3.38), on the other hand, was knocked around in the Padres’ third inning, surrendering five runs as the Friars batted around, and leaving after five innings pitched with eleven hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. Matt Kemp, Yonder Alonso, Jedd Gyorko, Alexi Amarista, and Austin Hedges all had RBI hits in the third. For Hedges, it was his first Major League hit and RBI. Hedges also had a sacrifice fly to score Gyorko in the eighth for his second RBI.

The Padres travel to Phoenix for a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting tonight at 6:40pm PDT. Odrisamer Despaigne (2-0, 2.95) gets another shot at the rotation in place of the injured Brandon Morrow as he takes the mound against the D-Backs’ Rubby De La Rosa (2-2, 5.40).

Recaps

Padres’ five-run third snaps Giants’ streak — Corey Brock and Chris Haft (MLB.com)

Padres break out in 9-1 rout of Giants — Dennis Lin (UT San Diego)

Ian Kennedy shuts down Giants as Padres avoid road sweep — Janie McCauley (The Associated Press)

Giants’ shutout streak ends in 9-1 loss to Padres — Andrew Baggarly (San Jose Mercury News)

Giants lose to Padres 9-1 — streak ends at 29 innings — John Shea (SFGate.com)

MLB Box Score

Quotes

“He was great. But with game calling, if I shook [Hedges] off, he knew the next pitch I was throwing. As I told him, if I shake, don’t worry about it. We talked about everything between innings. He was awesome to work with.”
Ian Kennedy on Hedges’ first start (Brock)

“I think the game plan was solid. Down and away, especially with [Heston], is his money pitch. The way we pitched people, it worked the first time. The second time, they changed their swings and he just ran into a little patch where things got a little sketchy.”
Andrew Susac (Baggarly)

Tweets

Videos

Hedges’ first career hit and RBI

Padres plate five in the 3rd

Gyorko’s RBI double

Myers’ RBI triple

Upton robs Pagan with dive

Fans celebrate Mays’ birthday

Photos

San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik, top, tumbles over San Diego Padres’ Justin Upton while turning a double play in the first inning of their baseball game Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

San Diego Padres’ Austin Hedges hits an RBI single off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Chris Heston in the third inning of their baseball game Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in San Francisco. The hit was Hedges’ first in the major leagues. At left is San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Susac. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The game summary in GIF form…

Padres Public | While You Were Swooning 2015 Game 29 (SD at SF).

Here’s some stuff I read this week that you might enjoy:

• Checking In On the Padres’ Defense (FanGraphs) – Jeff Sullivan revisits preseason concerns that San Diego’s gloves, or lack thereof, might pose a problem. Spoiler alert: oof. Dan Szymborski provides additional perspective as well. Wil Myers’ play in center field has been particularly brutal. On the bright side, Eno Sarris points out that Myers is finally healthy enough to cause damage with the bat.
• MLB Fixes the Trea Turner Problem for Everyone Else (FanGraphs) – As Dave Cameron notes, the 12-month waiting period for trading draftees has been reduced to “roughly five months.” However, Cameron’s assertion that “it was always a silly exercise to have to go through” ignores the historical context of this stipulation, which came into existence after Pete Incaviglia forced the Montreal Expos to trade him for pennies on the dollar. Owners hate lacking leverage in pretty much any situation. It makes them look bad. So they probably didn’t consider this a silly exercise. Which, come to think of it, kind of makes Cameron’s point.
• Padres’ pitching victim of Padres’ offense (U-T San Diego) – We’ve reached new levels of excuse making. Remember when the offense used to always be the problem? Well, now that the hitters are hitting, they are to blame for the pitchers not doing their job because “the need to act no longer exists.” Stupid hitters doing their job. Hey, maybe Austin Hedges won’t hit. Then the pitchers will need to act again. Whew, solving problems is hard.
• Is Yonder Alonso back on track? (Beyond the Boxscore) – Spencer Bingol wonders how much injuries have hurt Alonso’s production in the recent past. Bingol concludes that “he may never be a superstar, but finally healthy, Yonder Alonso can still be an above-average bat in a very difficult ballpark.” In other words, he might become the Lyle Overbay we all once dreamed he would become. Yay.
• Padres face big decision on Black’s future (Padres.com) – Skipper Bud Black is in the final year of his contract, and as Barry Bloom reminds us, Black’s services will be in demand. Bloom peppers his piece with quotes from Padres players and coaches, and even works in a fun dig at a previous management regime for letting Black’s predecessor, Bruce Bochy, walk in 2007. Rumors persist that Bochy has enjoyed some success since then.

Padres Public | Five Links: May 8, 2015.

Exactly 364 days ago, I compiled a list of all of the Twitter accounts that Padres’ fans should be following. It did not come without controversy, as I had complaints from people who thought they should be on it throughout the course of the year.

I updated it in January, adding some and removing others. Since then the Padres made moves on and off the field, changing who should and shouldn’t be on the list.

I have updated it once again. Some accounts are gone, others have been added. Some are still not on it.

To be honest, some of these accounts I don’t follow. On @GhostofRAK, that is. However, I’ve included them because they have some connection to the Padres or Padres’ fans that might interest you.

Here we go, grouped by category but in pretty much no particular order:

Padres Organization

Padres Public | Padres Twitter Mega-List Revisited.

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after an afternoon at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (32-35) scored fewer runs than the Oakland A’s (28-39), 6-5, yesterday at Petco Park in Pat Murphy‘s debut as the Padres’ interim manager.

Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.45) surrendered five runs in five innings on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts. The sad strange part was he kept the A’s hitless through the first four innings until Max Muncy‘s double to right field with one out in the fifth. Ben Zobrist hit a two-run home run with no outs in the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and drive Cashner from the game.

Scott Kazmir (3-4, 2.84) also pitched five innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Austin Hedges hit his first Major League home run with a solo shot to left field with one out in the third inning. With one out in the fourth inning, Clint Barmes drove in Justin Upton from third base with a bunt single. In the fifth inning, Melvin Upton Jr. scored on an attempted steal of home that turned into a balk for Kazmir. In the eighth inning, J Upton ground into a double play that allowed M Upton to score from third base. Matt Kemp then followed by hitting his first home run at Petco Park with a two-out solo shot to left center.

Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth with a tie game at 5-5, and Eric Sogard singled to drive in Billy Burns from second base for the final run of the game. Tyler Clippard struck out Will Venable, Cory Spangenberg, and pinch-hitter Derek Norris to end the game.

The Friars now race to try to beat the Athletics to Oakland, with another two games with the A’s at O.co Coliseum starting tonight at 7:05pm PDT. Odrisamer Despaigne (3-4, 4.38) gets the start tonight against Jesse Chavez (2-6, 2.64).

Recaps

Padres fall despite HRs from Kemp, Hedges — Jane Lee and Jay Paris (MLB.com)

Padres lose in Pat Murphy’s debut — Kirk Kenney (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Murphy loses debut as Padres manager, 6-5 to A’s — (The Associated Press)

Rookie Billy Burns fuels A’s win at San Diego — Susan Slusser (San Francisco Chronicle)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Face-painted A’s fan

Burns’ terrific catch

Hedges’ first career homer

Fan in hot dog outfit gets ball

Upton Jr. beats throw to second

Upton Jr. scores on balk

Kemp’s game-tying homer

Hedges nabs Fuld on review

Photos

San Diego Padres’ Justin Upton breaks his bat as he grounds into a double play during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, in San Diego. Melvin Upton Jr. scored, and Yonder Alonso was out at second on the play. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres’ Matt Kemp reacts after hitting a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 16, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Padres Public | While You Were (Day) Drinking 2015 Game 67 (OAK vs SD).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an evening in the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (38-43) scored more runs than the St Louis Cardinals (51-27) yesterday, 5-3 in eleven innings at Busch Stadium. Will Venable hit a two-run home run in the eleventh inning to break a 3-3 tie. Craig Kimbrel pitched the bottom of the eleventh for his 20th save.

Tyson Ross (5-7, 3.63) pitched six innings, allowing three runs on four hits and five walks with six strikeouts. Ross loaded the bases in the first inning with one out and Yadier Molina ground out to the pitcher for the second out, allowing Matt Carpenter to score. In the fifth inning, Carpenter hit a one out line drive to center field to score Tim Cooney. After Jhonny Peralta struck out, Jason Heyward hit a two-out double to score Carpenter.

Cooney (0-0, 5.40), making only his second Major League start, almost matched Ross’ stat line exactly, pitching six innings while surrendering three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Yangervis Solarte hit a solo home run in the second inning with one out to break the Padres’ streak of scoreless innings at 22. Solarte was ejected in the sixth inning for voicing his displeasure with some rather shoddy work by the umpires during the game.  In the fourth, a two-out Austin Hedges single scored Justin Upton, but Hedges was then thrown out at second base to end the inning. Ross hit his first Major League home run with a solo shot in the fifth inning.

Tonight, Andrew Cashner (3-9, 4.22) takes the mound against Michael Wacha (10-3, 2.77) at 5:15pm PDT.

Recaps

Venable blast lifts Padres past Cards in 11th — Corey Brock and Jenifer Langosch (MLB.com)

Venable lifts Padres past Cardinals — Dennis Lin (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Venable homer boosts Padres in extra innings — R. B. Fallstrom (The Associated Press)

Venable’s homer in 11th gives Padres 5-3 win over Cards — Derrick Goold (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

MLB Box Score

Quote

“If we’re prepared and we stay intent, we stay competitive, then we have a chance to have good things happen. We’re playing very good teams, and it can psych you out, if you let it.”
Pat Murphy (Lin)

Tweets

Videos

Statcast: Solarte’s solo homer

Hedges’ RBI single

Statcast: Ross’ first home run

Solarte ejected after strikeout

Statcast: Molina’s amazing throw

Norris’ game-saving stop

Venable’s go-ahead home run

Photos

San Diego Padres’ Melvin Upton Jr., left, is safe at first for a single as St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark Reynolds handles the throw during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 2, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

San Diego Padres’ Yangervis Solarte, left, rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tim Cooney during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 2, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

San Diego Padres’ Yangervis Solarte, left, is held back by first base coach Jose Valentin after being thrown out of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals by home plate umpire Bob Davidson, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 2, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking 2015 Game 81 (SD at STL).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an afternoon at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (41-49) scored more runs than the Texas Rangers (42-46) yesterday afternoon, 2-1, at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX, to wrap up the proverbial first half of the 2015 season.

Tyson Ross (6-7, 3.34) looked a lot like his 2014 self, throwing for six and two-thirds innings while allowing no runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Ross was pulled with two outs in the seventh after a double by Adrian Beltre and a groundout to shortstop put Beltre on third base. Brandon Maurer struck out Rougned Odor to end the inning. While pitching the ninth, on the way to his 23rd save of the season, Craig Kimbrel allowed the Rangers’ only run on an Odor single to bring Beltre around from second base.

Yovani Gallardo (7-8, 2.62) was nearly as tough as Ross, allowing one run on six hits and four walk with three strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings. In the second inning, Will Venable tripled then scored on a Will Middlebrooks ground ball that Odor threw away trying to get Venable out at the plate. Jedd Gyorko‘s single to left field in the seventh inning off Keone Kela brought Justin Upton in to score the Padres’ second and final run of the day.

The Padres, like the rest of Major League Baseball, are off for the next four days. Their next game is Friday, July 17th at 7:10pm PDT against the Colorado Rockies (39-49). TBA is taking the mound for the Friars against the dreaded TBD of the Rockies.

Recaps

Ross, Padres top Rangers to end first half — T.R.Sullivan and Cory Stavenhagen (MLB.com)

Padres end first half with win over Rangers — Dennis Lin (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Ross pitches well as Padres edge Rangers 2-1 — (The Associated Press)

Rangers fall to San Diego end first half with terrible home record — Mike Heika (Dallas Morning News)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Venable’s hustle triple

Venable safe at home on fielder’s choice

Middlebrooks starts double play

Gyorko’s RBI single

Photos

The bat of Texas Rangers’ Delino DeShields is stood up on home plate by San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges waiting for DeShields to return to the plate after a foul ball in the fourth inning of an interleague baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor throws to first for the double play attempt after forcing San Diego Padres’ Matt Kemp in the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game, Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. The Padres’ Justin Upton was safe at first on a fielder choice. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers’ Rougned Odor lands on top of San Diego Padres’ Matt Kemp (27) after a force at second as Odor looks to first on a double play attempt in the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. The Padres’ Justin Upton was safe at first on a fielder choice. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers catcher Carlos Corporan watches as San Diego Padres’ Jedd Gyorko connects for a run-scoring single to left off a pitch from Rangers reliever Keone Kela in the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. The hit scored Justin Upton. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Padres Public | While You Were (Day) Drinking 2015 Game 90 (SD at TEX).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an evening at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (43-49) scored more runs than the Colorado Rockies (39-51), 5-4, at Petco Park to clinch the three game series at Petco Park.

Tyson Ross (6-7, 3.38) pitched six and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts, but did not get the decision. Brandon Barnes hit an RBI triple to score Ben Paulsen with two outs in the seventh inning. Barnes then scored on a double by Wilin Rosario off Brandon Maurer to tie the game at three. Troy Tulowitzki homered off Joaquin Benoit in the eighth inning.

Chad Bettis (5-4, 4.88) also was left out of the decision after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts while pitching six innings. Austin Hedges put the Padres on the board with his second home run, a solo shot in the third inning. Matt Kemp double to plate Yangervis Solarte in the sixth inning. Clint Barmes put the Padres in the lead for good with a two-run home run in the seventh with pinch hitter Melvin Upton Jr. on first base.

Andrew Cashner (3-10, 4.10) gets the start as the Padres try to get their second series sweep of the season. The Rockies will have Eddie Butler (3-6, 4.80) taking the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10pm PDT.

Recaps

Friars flash power again to win 4th straight — Corey Brock and Beth Maiman (MLB.com)

Barmes’ home run lifts Padres over Rockies — Dennis Lin (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Barmes, Hedges homer to give Padres 5-4 win over Rockies — Bernie Wilson (The Associated Press)

Poor baserunning again costs Rockies in 5-4 loss to the Padres — Nick Groke (The Denver Post)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Hedges throws out Barnes

Hedges’ solo homer

Padres nab Blackmon in rundown

Kemp’s two-run double

Barmes’ go-ahead two-run homer

Arenado’s off-balance throw

Photos

Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado strikes out swinging at a low outside pitch in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, July 18, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Padres’ Matt Kemp hits a two-run double to center field during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, July 18, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Padres’ Clint Barmes, right, is congratulated by Austin Hedges after his two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 18, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking 2015 Game 92 (COL vs SD).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an evening at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (44-50) scored fewer runs than the San Francisco Giants (50-44), 9-3, at Petco Park last night to have their five game winning streak snapped. This game had it all; possible no-hitter, hit batsman, grand slams, bat flips, gum throwing, bench clearing, broken bats, Spider-Man. Everything.

Odrisamer Despaigne (3-7, 4.98) pitched bad and he should feel bad, giving up six runs on seven hits and two walks with a strikeout. Hunter Pence led off the second inning with a home run to center field. Gregor Blanco hit into a double play that scored Brandon Belt later that inning. Brandon Crawford hit a three-run home run with one out in the fourth inning. In the sixth inning, Hector Sanchez came up with the bases loaded against Dale Thayer and crushed a grand slam home run into the right field seats.

Chris Heston (10-5. 3.18) had a no-hitter going until the sixth inning, when a Melvin Upton Jr. broken bat single landed in center field to lead off the inning. Heston pitched seven and a third innings, allowing just the one hit and two walks with six strikeouts.

The Padres loaded the bases in the ninth inning against Josh Osich. Pinch-hitter Austin Hedges hit a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Clint Barmes and finally put the Padres on the scoreboard. After Jedd Gyorko lined out to center field, Brett Wallace doubled to center field to score Yangervis Solarte and Alexi Amarista.

This afternoon at 12:40pm PDT, James Shields (8-3, 3.92) gets the start against Matt Cain (1-1, 5.06).

Recaps

Padres sunk by Giants’ three homers — Corey Brock and Chris Haft (MLB.com)

Padres’ streak ends in Giant rout — Dennis Lin (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Heston shuts down Pads, Sanchez hits slam in 9-3 Giants win — Bernie Wilson (The Associated Press)

Heston, homers hoist Giants to big win — Hank Schulman (San Francisco Chronicle)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Pence’s solo homer

Crawford’s three-run homer

Sanchez’s grand slam

M. Upton ends no-no, loses bat

Brokaw on scaling the netting

Benches clear in San Diego

Hedges’ sac fly

Wallace’s two-run double

Photos

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne squats on the mound as San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Crawford rounds the bases with a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Francisco Giants’ Hector Sanchez swings on a grand slam against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in San Diego. The Padres had intentionally walked Gregor Blanco to pitch to Sanchez. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Hector Sanchez #29 of the San Francisco Giants hits a grand slam home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park July 21, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking 2015 Game 94 (SF vs SD).

Austin Hedges‘ rookie season has been frustrating at times, as he’s made just 15 starts since his May 4th call-up. And when he has been given a shot, he’s hit like a poor man’s Mario Mendoza. The 22-year-old currently owns a .154/.164/.288 major league slash line, which isn’t all that surprisingly given the sporadic playing time, the sample size (it’s only 57 plate appearances worth of work), and the fact that the bat was Hedges’ main question mark coming into the season. He probably should be in Triple-A El Paso getting everyday work, but A.J. Preller and Co. decided his services were better suited as a big league backup.

The good news: the defense has been as advertised. Heck — and this is hard to fathom — it might actually be better than advertised. Either way, it’s good. Really good. Per Baseball Prospectus’ pitch framing statistics, Hedges has already garnered more extra strikes than all but 14 other catchers, despite playing sparingly. In fact, on a per-pitch basis, Hedges ranks second in all of baseball in framing, behind only Buster Posey.

And the arm — sheesh, the arm. I believe the correct hashtag here is #swoon. If you haven’t already watched Hedges’ latest jaw-dropper a couple hundred times, check it out — it clocked in at around 1.85 seconds from his glove to second base. In the world of pop times, where anything under 2.00 is generally viewed as acceptable and fractions of a second are ever-valuable, Hedges is already in the Yadier Molina class of catchers. Like the Molinas of the world, Hedges features not only a cannon for an arm, but also superb mechanics and an ultra quick release. He’s thrown out 53 percent of would-be base thieves so far this season — the league average is 28 percent and Derek Norris, who has had an excellent comeback season behind the dish, sits at 36 percent.

What makes Hedges’ caught stealing prowess even more improbable? He’s caught Tyson Ross, Greek God of Stolen Bases Allowed, five different times this year. Check out this table, which shows how much each catcher has worked with Ross:

With Norris behind the plate and Ross pitching, base runners attempted to steal nearly four times every nine innings. With Hedges behind the dish that number has shrunk to just over one per nine, and more impressive than that, Hedges has thrown out three out of four helpless victims who must have forgot to check the lineup card before they took off for second. It should be noted that some credit probably belongs to Ross and Norris (and maybe a coach or two), as well. Since June 5th, Ross has only allowed four stolen bases (against five caught stealings) in nine starts, and four of those starts have come with Norris catching. In the month of May alone (six starts), Ross allowed 14 steals and just three caught stealings.

Hedges debut season hasn’t been all pleasant. He still needs plenty of work at the plate, and he’s lost valuable developmental time wasting away on the Padres’ bench. At the same time, the aggressive promotion has allowed the Padres — and the rest of baseball — to get an up-close view of Hedges’ defense. It’s at least as good as anyone thought, and that should help the Padres decide what path they want to take with their young catcher going forward.

Padres Public | Quick Observations on Austin Hedges’ Defense.

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an evening at the pub, yelling at the TV and tweeting mean things just because you feel like it. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (44-52) scored fewer runs than the Miami Marlins (40-55), 4-0, in the first of four games at Petco Park.

Tyson Ross (6-8, 3.45) gave up four runs (three earned) in five and two-thirds innings, allowing eight hits and no walks with eight strikeouts. Ross was dominant for the first five innings, then the defense behind him imploded in the sixth inning. After a wild pitch by Ross allowed Martin Prado to score from third base, Justin Bour singled to knock in Christian Yelich. Casey McGehee singled, then J.T. Realmuto singled to left field, scoring Bour. Realmuto then stole second, the throw from Austin Hedges was off, and McGehee scored after Alexi Amarista threw the ball away trying get McGehee at home.

Tom Koehler (8-6, 3.16) pitched seven shutout innings for the Marlins, giving up just three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts.

The second game tonight has Andrew Cashner (3-10, 4.10) taking the mound versus Dan Haren (7-5, 3.46) at 7:10pm PDT.

Recaps

Shaky sixth sinks Ross and Padres — Corey Brock and Joe Frisaro (MLB.com)

Ross shines, then stumbles as Padres fall — Dennis Lin (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Koehler pitches Marlins to 4-0 win over Padres — (The Associated Press)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

(You might want to skip this section. They’re all pretty bad.)

Videos

Padres turn two

Kemp’s nice running catch

McGehee scores on error

Photos

Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich makes the sliding catch in foul territory on a pop fly hit by San Diego Padres’ Abraham Almonte during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 23, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Miami Marlins third baseman Casey McGehee, bottom, falls to the ground while catching a pop foul hit by San Diego Padres’ Abraham Almonte, as shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria ends up partway into the seating area during the top of the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 23, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Padres’ Will Venable is forced out at home as Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto relays to first trying to complete a double play in the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 23, 2015, in San Diego. The Marlins did into get the double play. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich makes the catch on the warning track of a deep fly hit by San Diego Padres’ Abraham Almonte during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 23, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking 2015 Game 96 (MIA vs SD).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an evening at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you might have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (48-53) scored more runs than the New York Mets (52-49), 7-3, at Citi Field.

Tyson Ross (7-8, 3.38) gave up just one run on two hits and four walks with five strikeouts in five innings. Lucas Duda was the entire Mets’ offense, hitting three solo home runs; the first off Ross to lead off the second inning, the second off Kevin Quackenbush with two outs in the sixth innings, and the last off Marcos Mateo to lead off the ninth inning.

Bartolo Colon (9-10, 4.96) only lasted two and a third innings, surrendering six runs on ten hits and no walks with one strikeout. After surrendering two Padres’ runs in both the first and second innings, back-to-back home runs by Justin Upton and Yonder Alonso to start the third inning — followed by a single from Jedd Gyorko, a line out by Alexi Amarista, and a single by Austin Hedges — ended Colon’s night.

Today’s series finale at Citi Field pits Andrew Cashner (4-10, 3.93) against Jon Niese (5-9, 3.75) at 9:10am PDT for some Breakfasttown baseball.

Recaps

Padres take charge early in win over Mets — Joe Trezza and Alden Woods (MLB.com)

Ross, Upton lead Padres over Mets — Dennis Lin (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Upton, Solarte lead Padres over Mets — Howie Rumberg (The Associated Press)

Duda belts 3 HRs but Colon clubbed as Mets fall to Padres — Fred Kerber (New York Post)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Kemp’s RBI single

J. Upton’s sac fly

Venable’s RBI single

Solarte’s RBI single

J. Upton, Alonso go back-to-back

Ross recovers to get the out

Hedges throws out Granderson

J. Upton’s RBI single

Amarista turns game-ending DP

Photos

New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) looks to the outfield as San Diego Padres’ Justin Upton, right, rounds the bases after hitting a third-inning solo home run in a baseball game in New York, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

San Diego Padres’ Yonder Alonso watches his third-inning solo home run off New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon in a baseball game in New York, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

San Diego Padres Yonder Alonso, right, runs over first base after hitting a third-inning solo home run off New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, center, in a baseball game in New York, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

San Diego Padres on-deck batter Jedd Gyorko, right, greets teammate Yonder Alonso (23) after Alonso’s third- inning solo home run in a baseball game against the New York Mets in New York, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Mets center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (9) comes up short while sliding to field a third-inning single hit by San Diego Padres’ Austin Hedges in a baseball game in New York, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking 2015 Game 101 (SD at NYM).

Here’s some stuff I read this week that you might enjoy:

• When You Think About It, Trivia Isn’t Trivial (Part 1) (Hardball Times) – John Paschal pens a fun three-part series (Part 2, Part 3). Rickey Henderson, Dave Winfield, and Odrisamer Despaigne, Tony Clark, and Brad Ausmus all get mentions in the first installment, which focuses on player names. And if you like names, you might also enjoy John Thorn’s look at early team names. [h/t reader Didi]
• Why Discriminate (Our Game) – Speaking of Thorn, here he reproduces an open letter written by African American baseball player Welday Walker in 1888 and published in The Sporting Life advocating for the inclusion of blacks in baseball. And although people of different races were eventually accepted, the struggle continues for those of various sexual orientations. Former A’s pitcher Mike Norris remembers his teammate, the late Glenn Burke, as a man who had few friends in baseball despite possibly inventing (or at least popularizing) the high five.
• The major league baseball games that were played while Apollo 11 landed on the moon (The J.G. Preston Experience) – I was 2 ½ months old when this happened, so my memories of that day are fuzzy, to say the least. The Padres were playing in Atlanta, and in the seventh inning the game was halted to honor the astronauts. Fans were asked say a silent prayer, which was then followed by “God Bless America,” when that song still had meaning. More famously, Gaylord Perry hit his first big-league homer in San Francisco, 25 minutes after the landing. Seven years earlier, then-Giants manager Alvin Dark had reportedly said, “We’ll have a man on the moon before he hits a home run.” Or words to that effect, or maybe not. Who cares, it’s a great story. [h/t SABR]
• Quick Observations on Austin Hedges’ Defense (Padres Public) – Yeah, Dustin wrote this a while ago, but I was on vacation and am just now reading it. Plus I needed a link that wasn’t about events that happened more than 30 years ago. And it’s a good article. As Dustin notes, although Hedges hasn’t hit much yet, his pitch-framing and throwing ability have been at least as good as advertised.
• Robot umpires should be the future of baseball (Vox) – Joseph Stromberg notes that on Tuesday night an Indy league game used a computer system to call balls and strikes. He advocates for the adoption of such technology in MLB, which would unfortunately render the aforementioned Hedges’ pitch-framing skills moot. Personally I’m holding out for robot players, but whatever. As long as we have robot something (maybe not toasters), I’ll be fine. [h/t Gaslamp Ball]

Padres Public | Five Links: July 31, 2015.

Sometimes you just can’t get out of work; or your office doesn’t allow radios and isn’t equipped with Cable TV.  Here’s a friendly reminder of what you probably missed while you were working.

San Diego (59-62) completed their second three-game sweep of the season, defeating Atlanta (53-67) 3-2 in front of 20,732 fans.  Shawn Kelley (2-2) was assigned the win after throwing a scoreless seventh inning.  Matt Marksberry, who right-handed hitters feast on (.385 AVG before play started today), surrendered 2 runs in the seventh and took the loss.  Craig Kimbrel worked a clean ninth for his 35th save; no batted ball made it past the infield grass.

This game started ominously for the Padres.  Tyson Ross came out dealing (good), striking out the first two hitters and working around a pair of two-out singles.  Julio Teheran came out scuffling (good?), running the count full to 3 of the first 4 hitters and loading the bases with one out.  With his pitch count climbing (he would eventually throw 36 in the first inning), Jedd Gyorko hit a 1-0 pitch to shallow RF, not deep enough to score the run.  Melvin Upton Jr.then rolled into a fielder’s choice, ending the threat.  Usually when you let a pitcher off the ropes, bad things happen.

Teheran tried to make that a truism, retiring 11 of the next 12 hitters.  The lone Padre to reach (Yangervis Solarte) was doubled off first on Matt Kemp‘s lineout to third.  Meanwhile, the Braves pushed across a run in the third thanks to two walks and a single from Nick Markakis.  It could have been far worse, except with Cameron Maybin hitting Michael Bourn broke for second, changed his mind, and was picked off by Austin Hedges trying to get back to first.  Thanks to that defensive play the Braves only scored the one run.

The Padres finally broke through against Teheran when Solarte led off the inning with a 372′ HR to right.  Once Teheran left the game, San Diego continued to punish the Braves bullpen.  They forged ahead when Hedges’ one-out double scored Upton Jr in the seventh.  Hedges came around to score on Solarte’s double.  Atlanta got one back, as Markakis’ double in the eighth rattled around the LF corner, allowing Maybin to score from first, but would get no closer.

The Padres are off today and start a 3-game set with St Louis Friday. John Lackey (10-7, 2.87) will face Andrew Cashner (4-12, 4.20).  Before Friday’s game Wine Fest will be held at the ol’ ballyard.

Recaps

Padres beat Braves bullpen, secure sweep – Dennis Lin (SDUT)

Braves swept, lose 10th straight in San Diego – David O’Brien (AJC)  Sorry – this article is ‘premium content’ so only the 1% can read it.  Get Bent, Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Hedges, Solarte lead Padres’ charge over Braves – Corey Brock and Mark Bowman (MLBAM)

Quote

Solarte’s teammates have started calling him “El Niño,” a moniker at which Solarte good-naturedly rolled his eyes.

“Another nickname, oh my God,” he deadpanned in English. “First, it was ‘Slowarte’ (Solarte is not the quickest afoot). Then, ‘Mediumfastarte.’ Now, ‘El Niño.'” (Lin)

Tweets

Padres Public | While You Were Working – ATL vs SD (Game 121).

Here’s some stuff I read this week that you might enjoy:

• How baseball’s tech team built the future of television (The Verge) – Ben Popper pens a long but fascinating piece about the development of MLB.tv and the applications of its technology in non-baseball markets. MLBAM, the entity behind MLB.tv, is now partnered up with the NHL, HBO, and others to deliver content to their viewers. Popper touches on regional blackouts, but only from the technical standpoint. No solution is offered (yeah, I know) for folks such as myself who are legally prohibited from watching their hometown team via the Internet, although there is less-than-satisfying movement on that front. [h/t Sean Lahman]
• Preller, Padres should build on rebuild (MLB.com) – Barry Bloom discusses the future with A.J. Preller, who admits that “we’re not where we want to be as a group” and teases that Justin Upton’s tenure in San Diego might not end with the season. Bloom also notes that increased television revenue and attendance will help pay for things that the Padres haven’t been able to afford in the past, like a fleet of killer whale submarines. Meanwhile, Christina Kahrl suggests that Padres fans should temper expectations regarding potential waiver wire activity (saying farewell to Will Venable, the last player from the Padres teams I watched on television, might be it). [h/t reader Didi for the Kahrl item]
• Rea shows promise in big-league debut (U-T) – A possible part of the future is Colin Rea, who doesn’t overwhelm with stuff but who knows how to pitch. His catcher, Austin Hedges, has nice things to say: “Knowing Colin for four or five years now, I couldn’t tell a difference if he was pitching in a low-A game, a Double-A game or a big-league game.” John Sickels also has nice things to say.
• Kemp completes first cycle in Padres history (Padres.com) – Did you know that nobody had ever hit for the cycle while playing for the Padres? Wow, I did not know that. Now Matt Kemp has done it. I was hoping he would throw a no-hitter, but what are you gonna do. Maybe Rea will do that.
• Cooperstown Chances: Is Trevor Hoffman a Hall of Famer? (Sporting News) – Graham Womack discusses Hoffy’s candidacy, confirming my fears that he is more likely to be associated with the lesser Lee Smith than with the greater Mariano Rivera and putting his chances at 60 percent. He is Tim Raines to Rivera’s Rickey Henderson. And speaking of great left fielders who played for the Padres (Henderson, not Raines), you’ll want to read Michael Barr’s piece about a painting of Ted Williams.

Padres Public | Five Links: August 21, 2015.

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending a Sunday afternoon at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you may have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (61-63) scored fewer runs than the St Louis Cardinals (78-45), 10-3, yesterday afternoon in the final game of their three-game series at Petco Park.

Colin Rea (2-1, 5.52) had the wheels come off early, giving up four runs in the first inning. Tommy Pham walked with one out in the first inning, then took second and third bases on a throwing error by Rea on a pickoff move. Jhonny Peralta reached on an error by Yangervis Solarte that scored Pham. A single by Jason Heyward followed, then a single by Yadier Molina. Stephen Piscotty tripled to clear the bases. Rea lasted just four innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Piscotty also hit two home runs, a solo shot off Odrisamer Despaigne in the seventh inning and a two-run home run off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning.

Michael Wacha (14-4, 2.85) pitched six innings, giving up a run on five hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Yonder Alonso singled in the second inning, moved to second on a walk to Austin Hedges, and scored on a single to right field by Clint Barmes. In the ninth inning, a leadoff, pinch-hit double by Brett Wallace was followed by a single by Jedd Gyorko. After a pop-out by Solarte, Cory Spangenberg was hit by a pitch. Matt Kemp then singled to score Barmes and Gyorko. But, Justin Upton struck out and Alonso ground out to the first baseman to end the game.

The Padres are off today as they travel to Washington, D.C. to take on the Washington Nationals (62-61) for three games starting tomorrow night at 4:05pm PDT. James Shields (9-5, 3.74) gets the start versus Stephen Strasburg (7-6, 4.22).

Recaps

Padres fall to Cards to close solid homestand — Corey Brock and Beth Maiman (MLB.com)

Cardinals score early, often to avoid sweep — Jeff Sanders (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Wacha, Piscotty lead Cardinals past Padres 10-3 — Tim Powers (The Associated Press)

Piscotty backs Wacha as Cards salvage series finale — Rick Hummel (St Louis Post-Dispatch)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Reynolds’ diving stop

Despaigne induces double play

Wacha snags comebacker

Photos

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Colin Rea works against a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Mark Reynolds, left, slides in safely to home, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Matt Carpenter, as San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges misses the throw during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Padres Public | While You Were (Day) Drinking – 2015 Game 124 (STL vs SD).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an evening at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you may have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (62-64) scored more runs than the Washington Nationals (63-62) last night, 6-5, at Nationals Park.

Tyson Ross (9-9, 3.42) gave up four runs in six innings on six hit and two walks with nine strikeouts. In the fourth inning, Bryce Harper drew a walk, advance to second base on a groundout, stole third base, and scored when Ryan Zimmerman ground out. Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning scored Anthony Rendon. In the seventh inning, Ross hit pinch-hitter Clint Robinson with a pitch then gave up a double to Denard Span. Shawn Kelley came in to pitch and walked Jayson Werth to load the bases and then walked Rendon to score Robinson. Marc Rzepczynski was then brought in to pitch to Harper, who singled to score Span and Werth. Yunel Escobar then ground into a double play to end the Nationals’ threat.

Gio Gonzalez (9-7, 4.11) lasted just four and two-thirds innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Matt Kemp and Justin Upton combined to drive in four runs in the third inning; two on Kemp’s double and the other two from Upton’s home run. In the fourth inning, Austin Hedges crossed the plate on a Yangervis Solarte sacrifice fly. Upton hit a solo home run off Doug Fister in the seventh inning.

Tonight, Andrew Cashner (5-12, 4.03) gets the start in the series finale against former Padres’ prospect Joe Ross (4-5, 3.56) at 4:05pm PDT.

Recaps

2 home runs from J-Up lead Padres past Nats — Corey Brock and Jacob Emert (MLB.com)

Padres hang on against Nationals — Dennis Lin (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Upton homers twice as Padres beat Nationals 6-5 — (The Associated Press)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Ramos nabs Norris

Ross laughs after brother’s hit

Kemp’s two-run double

J. Upton’s two-run homer

Norris’ diving stop

Harper nabs Ross for DP

J. Upton’s second homer

Rendon’s diving grab

Padres turn two, escape jam

Photos

San Diego Padres’ Justin Upton runs the bases after his two-run home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) during the third inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

San Diego Padres’ Justin Upton, right center, celebrates his two-run homer during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

San Diego Padres’ Austin Hedges is safe at home as the throw from Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman doesn’t reach catcher Wilson Ramos in time, after Zimmerman caught a foul ball hit by Yangervis Solarte during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking – 2015 Game 126 (SD at WAS).

Sometimes things get a little fuzzy after spending an evening at the pub. Here’s a friendly reminder of what you may have missed while you were drinking.

The Padres (64-67) scored more runs than the Texas Rangers (68-62) last night, 7-0, in the first of three games at Petco Park.

Tyson Ross (10-9, 3.27) pitched seven shutout innings with three hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts. The Rangers’ were 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. Prince Fielder was the only Ranger to get to second base, with a first inning double and getting hit by a pitch and advancing on a walk to Adrian Beltre in the sixth inning.

Colby Lewis (14-7, 4.50) gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings. In the third inning, Travis Jankowski singled, stole second base, and scored on a Yonder Alonso single. Matt Kemp then drove in Alonso with a double. Alonso doubled to lead off the sixth inning, Kemp walked, then a Jedd Gyorko sacrifice fly scored Alonso. Kemp scored on an RBI double by Cory Spangenberg, Austin Hedges was intentionally walked, and Tyson Ross singled in Spangenberg. Jankowski reached on an error and Yangervis Solarte singled in Hedges. In the eighth inning, Brett Wallace doubled to drive in Jankowski again, who had hit a triple.

Tonight starting at 7:10pm PDT, Andrew Cashner (5-13, 4.05) gets the start in the second game versus Yovani Gallardo (11-9, 3.14).

Recaps

Ross, Padres cool off Rangers in shutout — T.R. Sullivan and Beth Maiman (MLB.com)

Jankowski sparks Padres win over Texas — Jeff Sanders (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Ross shuts down Rangers, hits RBI single in 7-0 Padres win — Bernie Wilson (The Associated Press)

Padres go 5-9 against Colby Lewis with two outs; San Diego gets 7-0 shutout win — Evan Grant (The Dallas Morning News)

MLB Box Score

Tweets

Videos

Jankowski’s first career steal

Alonso’s RBI single

Hedges’ impressive pick

Hedges nabs Andrus

Kemp fixes belt during at-bat

Jankowski’s triple

Wallace’s RBI double

Photos

Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross works against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Travis Jankowski #16 of the San Diego Padres steals second base ahead of the throw to Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game at Petco Park August, 31, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Padres Public | While You Were Drinking – 2015 Game 131 (TEX vs SD).