CINCINNATI -- On one hand, the Padres finished their road trip squarely in the playoff picture, tied for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
On the other hand … what a glorious opportunity missed to build a cushion in that race. San Diego capped a 1-5 trip through Tampa Bay and Cincinnati with a 7-3 loss to the Reds on Wednesday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
“We didn’t play our best baseball, especially here in Cincinnati,” manager Craig Stammen said. “But I also think we should be thankful, because somebody didn’t run away with the third Wild Card spot that we’re fighting for. We’re still right there where we want to be -- in contention.”
With just 22 games to play ...
“It’s go time,” said first baseman Ty France. “There’s nothing else you can really say about it, except we need to play our best baseball now and start winning these games.”
Here are some takeaways, with the Padres (mercifully) set to return home on Wednesday night:
1. No hits, but Salas held his own
For a moment, you thought … maybe.
Ethan Salas’ first swing in the big leagues was a deep drive to center. Reds center fielder Dane Myers turned and sprinted toward the wall. Then, he slowed -- and made a nice running catch at the warning track.
Salas’ first hit and his first home run will have to wait for another day. Making his Major League debut, he finished 0-for-4. San Diego’s top prospect hit a hard grounder in the third inning that was knocked down by Reds starter Brandon Williamson, then caromed to second baseman Juan Brito. He struck out in his final two at-bats.
This wasn’t a debut to remember. But even facing a lefty starter, the lefty-hitting Salas didn't look overmatched.
“Very confident behind the plate,” Stammen said. “… His at-bats are going to be great. He’s going to be just fine.”
Salas earned rave reviews from starter Casey Mize, a seven-year veteran.
“He called a great game, caught a great game,” Mize said. “Really impressed with him. Obviously, he’s 20 years old and already here. Just his demeanor and maturity. He’s obviously got a bright future. But he’s got a bright present as well. I know he can help us.”
2. Mize’s Padres tenure has been a disappointment
So far. (Which is an important caveat at this time of year.) Mize has made six starts since arriving at the Trade Deadline. He’s allowed at least four runs in four of them -- including in each of the last three. Mize’s Padres ERA now sits at 6.67.
That’s not what the Padres envisioned. At all. Mize was excellent with Detroit this season and last. He arrived with a 2.70 ERA in 16 starts this season. It’s entirely possible he could find that form again.
The Padres need him to. Mize allowed four runs over four innings. He was solid enough in the first, third and fourth innings. But, as has been the case in many of his starts, he was done in by one rough inning.
Brito and Héctor Rodríguez took Mize deep in the second, accounting for all four of the runs against him.
“Just some bad execution,” Mize said. “... It’s weird, I haven’t given up the big inning like that very often. Obviously I’ve been doing that here. It’s just been frustrating.”
3. Twenty-homer Ty
Fernando Tatis Jr. is on the precipice of another 20-homer season. Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill are already there. Anybody could’ve predicted those three reaching that number for the Padres this season.
France on the other hand? Sure, he did it with Seattle in 2022. But this type of season is still more than the Padres ever could’ve asked for when they signed him to a Minor League deal in Spring Training.
France put the Padres in front with a two-run homer in the top of the first inning -- his 20th of the season, tying his career high. He would finish 2-for-3 with a walk.
“Would’ve been nice if we would’ve won,” France said. “But, I mean, bouncing back from last year and being able to prove that I still belong in this league -- it was a goal of mine to get to 20. So, happy to get there.”
France has been perhaps the Padres’ most valuable offensive player, hitting .292 with an .872 OPS. He’s also been outstanding at first base (and he showed off his Gold Glove on multiple occasions in this series).
In 2024, France spent 52 games with the Reds, posting a .683 OPS with a negative WAR. Two years later, he’s clearly a different player.