ICYMI: Friars homer thrice as LA evens series
Whereas the Padres and Dodgers opened Thursday's series with a hit parade after manufacturing a combined 24 hits between the two clubs, the two teams continued the series with a home run derby on Friday after combining for eight home runs on just 14 hits. Unfortunately for the Friars, San Diego would end up on the wrong end of the home run derby as the Dodgers evened up the series at one-game apiece with an 8-4 victory over the Padres on Friday.
Starter James Shields struggled out of the gates for San Diego as he surrendered three earned runs on three hits and two home runs in his fourth start of the season against Los Angeles. Although Shields was able to hold the Dodgers offense at just three runs, Shields issued six walks on the night against only four strikeouts - the most walks he has ever surrendered in a single game in his career. Shields needed 107 pitches through five innings of work, which was well enough to keep San Diego close but still rendered only a no-decision as the game's outcome fell to the bullpen.
Reliever Marcos Mateo, who was reinstated of the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, was pegged with the loss after being charged with one earned run on a third of an inning of work in the sixth inning. Mateo started a sixth inning where three Padres relievers - Mateo, Marc Rzepczynski and Jon Edwards - combined to surrendered five earned runs on three homers over one complete inning. Edwards, who made his Padres debut on Friday, ultimately surrendered one earned run on three hits and one home run over an inning and a third of work.
Despite a quick start by the Padres offense - San Diego had a 2-1 lead after the end of the first inning - the Friars' bats could not give an encore performance of Thursday's comeback as San Diego was limited to just four hits on the day against the Dodgers pitching corps. Matt Kemp opened the Padres half of the slugfest with a two-run shot of his own in the first inning, extending his active on-base streak to 24-games, marking a new career high for the 30-year old outfielder.
Jedd Gyorko and Brett Wallace each hit home runs on Friday as well, collecting their 12th and fourth home runs of the year respectively. Although San Diego was able to manufacture three home runs of their own - including Kemp's 200th career longball - the Dodgers once again scrapped together a big inning with five runs in the sixth, this time holding on to a lead and successfully downing the Friars on Friday night. The combined eight home runs hit between San Diego and Los Angeles tied a Petco Park single-game record.
The Padres will return to the field Saturday night at 5:40pm for another edition of Baseball Night in San Diego, as starter Tyson Ross will take the hill against LA's Alex Wood. In case you missed it, here's a look at some highlights and stories you may not have seen from Friday:
Padres post-game recap: Padres hit three homers, but 'pen gets pounded
Kemp launches his 200th career homer in the 1st inning:
Video: LAD@SD: Kemp hammers a two-run homer to center
After review, Gyorko's homer allows the Padres to regain the lead:
Video: LAD@SD: Gyorko gets a solo homer after umpire review
Wallace blasts a solo shot to center field for his fourth homer of the year:
Video: LAD@SD: Wallace blasts his fourth homer in the 8th
The day's top stories:
Another look at last night's contest: Solarte serves as catalyst, flirts with cycle
Five thoughts on Gyorko's improved play at short: Gyorko coming up tall at short
The former Rookie of the Year returns just in time for LA series: Myers activated from 60-day DL
Another setback befalls Johnson in rehab start: Johnson faces just one batter in rehab start
Today's transactions and September call-ups: Padres Roster Move, 9/4/15
Down on the Farm: El Paso wins, takes lead in PCL division
Weekly Fan Forum keeps fans engaged: #PadresFanChat with Bill Center: September 4th, 2015
Notable Notes: Game Notes vs. LAD (09.04) Shields Vying for 11th Win of the Season, 2nd against LA
Looking forward to the next game:
Friar Forecast at Petco Park: Ross, Wood square off in NL West matchup
Friday's probable pitchers: Tyson Ross (10-9, 3.27 ERA) vs. Alex Wood (9-9, 3.67 ERA)