ICYMI: Gyorko, Cashner step up in win over Cards

By Ian Smith

July 4, 2015

Sometimes in baseball the right thing happens at the right time in such a way that it seems as though the game repeats itself on a regular basis. Enter Padres second baseman, Jedd Gyorko. Two weeks ago, Gyorko hit a game-winning RBI-single into left field at Southwest University Park in the 9th inning to propel the El Paso Chihuahuas to a walk-off victory in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League on June 20th. Fast forward to Friday night and once again Gyorko came up big with a game-winning RBI single into left-field - this time at Busch Stadium - in the 9th inning to propel the San Diego Padres to a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. How's that for history repeating itself?

The Padres, who became the first team in the National League to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in back-to-back games this season, won a tight contest on Friday night thanks to timely hitting and a strong pitching performance by starter Andrew Cashner. Cashner deliver 6.0 innings of one-run baseball, allowing only one earned run on three hits while striking out three on 91 pitches. Although Cashner earned a no-decision in Friday's pitching duel against the Cards, his performance was enough to garner him a quality start and also keep his team in the game long enough to come out on top three innings later. The Padres bullpen also stepped up on Friday as Brandon Maurer, Joaquin Benoit and Craig Kimbrel combined for three shutout innings in relief of Cashner; Kimbrel went on to collect his 21st save of the season while Benoit's record improved to 5-3 on the year.

While the Friar pitching staff turned in a phenomenal game last night, the top story from Friday was Gyorko who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a home run to deliver the Padres their second victory in a row. Overall, the offense did an excellent job staying in the game on Friday as seven of the starting nine collected hits off of the Cardinals pitching staff with Yangervis Solarte recording his fourth game in a row with an extra-base hit.

The Padres will be back at it again on Saturday for a special early independence day edition of Saturday baseball as Odrisamer Despaigne takes the mound for the Friars at 11:15am on the Fourth of July. In case you missed it, here are some highlights and stories that may have passed you by on Friday:

Padres post-game recap: After tight battle, Padres top Cardinals

Cashner comes up huge in six-plus innings of one-run baseball:

Video: SD@STL: Cashner gives up one run in six-plus innings

Gyorko's solo-homer ties the game at 1-1 for the Padres in the 7th:

Video: SD@STL: Gyorko ties the game on solo homer

Gyorko's go-ahead RBI single puts the Friars up 2-1 in the 9th:

Video: SD@STL: Gyorko puts the Padres up on RBI single

Kimbrel induces the ground-ball double play for his 21st save of the season:

Video: SD@STL: Barmes turns two to close out the win

How Gyorko got his groove back: Gyorko finds time in Triple-A well spent

Padres reliever finds renaissance in new approach: Kelley finds his footing, and finds success

Down on the Farm: Rea promoted to Triple-A El Paso; Decker named to PCL All-Star Team