ICYMI: Plentiful offense helps 'Cash' in series win
Everything seemed to go the Padres way on Saturday, and that's perfectly fine for the Friar Faithful who were in attendance for Baseball Night in San Diego. The Padres offense had a veritable knockout performance on Saturday after the Friars drove in seven runs on 15 hits in their 7-2 victory over the Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Seven of the Padres starting nine collected base hits, while six of those starting nine also enjoyed a multi-hit game on the day. Additionally, the pitching was on point as starter Andrew Cashner earned the victory after allowing only two earned runs on eight hits and six strikeouts in seven innings of solid work. All of this, of course, was the perfect combination for success in San Diego.
Cashner's record improved to 3-9 on the season while also lowering his ERA to 4.22 thanks to a very efficient and well-tuned offense on Saturday. Much like he did in Friday's series opener against the D-backs, Yonder Alonso opened the scoring with an RBI base knock in the first inning to give the Padres an early 1-0 lead. Alonso went 2-for-5 on the day and was joined by Matt Kemp, Yangervis Solarte, Justin Upton, Will Venable and Clint Barmes as the six Padres who enjoyed two or more hits on the evening. Solarte had a standout performance as well, as he went 3-for-5 with an RBI.
The biggest hit of the evening might have been Upton's two-run home run in the fifth inning that gave the Padres a 4-2 lead after Arizona tied the game at 2-2 in the third. Upton's two-run shot was his 14th of the season and also his 11th homer at Petco Park this year. Through 77 games this year, Upton is now only four home runs shy of tying the single-season home run record at Petco Park.
The Friars will now have a chance to go for a series sweep of the Snakes in Sunday's matinee behind the capable arm of right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne. In case you missed it, here are some highlights and stories you may not have seen from Saturday:
Padres post-game recap: Padres bats back sharp Cashner in series win
Alonso drives in Kemp to put the Padres up early in the first
Video: ARI@SD: Padres strike first on Alonso's RBI single
Upton puts the Padres back on top with a two-run shot
Video: ARI@SD: Upton puts Padres ahead with two-run shot
Cashner's squeeze bunt single drives in Venable to make it 5-2
Video: ARI@SD: Cashner plates Venable with bunt single
Kemp's RBI-single plates Barmes to extend the Friars' lead
Video: ARI@SD: Kemp plates Barmes with a single in the 6th
Speedy Spangenberg leaves Saturday's game early: Spangenberg exits with sprained left knee
Positive news on the injury front for Wil: Myers 4-6 weeks away from baseball activities
Former All-Star continues road to recovery: Johnson remains upbeat after latest setback
Update on 2015 MLB Draft Class: Padres have signed 27 of 39 selections from 2015 Draft
Down on the Farm: Smith extends streak with six shutout innings
Game Notes vs. ARI (06.27) Friars Hope to Leapfrog Snakes in NL West with Win on Saturday
Looking forward:
Friar Forecast: Despaigne, Padres seek sweep of Snakes on Sunday
Sunday's probable pitchers: Odrisamer Depsaigne (3-5, 4.83 ERA) vs. Chase Anderson (3-2, 3.54 ERA)