ICYMI: Padres, Kennedy win to split series
Ian Kennedy looked a lot like his old self on Thursday. Kennedy, who has gone 2-0 with a 2.62 ERA in his last four starts, looked a lot like the steadfast and reliable veteran that many had pegged him to be after throwing six innings of one-run baseball en route to a 3-1 Padres victory in Oakland. Kennedy was sharp and just what the doctor ordered, as he surrendered only one earned run on four hits while securing a series split on the road and putting a stop to the Padres' four-game losing streak. The offensive support Kennedy received was on point as well, as the Friars enjoyed another multihomer game. Whereas two solo shots on Wednesday wasn't enough, the two homers today proved to be the difference makers that sent the Friars on a "Happy Flight" out of the Bay Area.
The Padres struck first on a Matt Kemp solo shot in the fourth inning that gave the Friars an early 1-0 lead after sharp pitching kept San Diego hitless through the first three frames. Kemp's homer was one of two hits on the day, as he and Will Venable each enjoyed multihit games against Oakland. Later on in the sixth inning, former A's catcher Derek Norris, who was making his season debut at first base for the Friars on Thursday, also left the yard with a solo shot of his own to put the Padres up 2-0. The A's were able to get one run back in the bottom half of that same frame, but the Upton brothers made sure to produce an insurance run in the eighth inning. Melvin Upton Jr. led off the eighth with a triple and later scored after his younger brother, Justin Upton, hit a high fly ball into the right-field foul territory giving the elder Upton a chance to tag up.
With a two-run lead in the home half of the ninth, the Padres then sent closer Craig Kimbrel to the mound to shut the door and secure the victory with his 17th save of the year. With Thursday's victory, the Padres secured a series-split in their first two-game set on the road and were able to catch a happy flight out to Phoenix to continue their nine-day road-trip against the Diamondbacks on Friday.
In case you missed it, here are some highlights and stories you may not have seen from Thursday:
Padres postgame recap: Kemp, Norris go deep to back solid Kennedy
Kemp breaks the scoreless tie by drilling his fourth home run of the season in the 4th inning:
Video: SD@OAK: Kemp drives a solo homer to left-center
Norris' solo-shot drives in the second Padres run in the 6th inning:
Video: SD@OAK: Norris smashes a solo homer to left field
Justin Upton's sacrifice fly into foul territory scores Melvin Upton Jr. in the 8th inning:
Video: SD@OAK: Upton plates Upton Jr. on a sacrifice fly
Kimbrel records a K to secure the Padres victory and collect his 17th save of the year:
Video: SD@OAK: Kimbrel fans Butler to secure his 17th save
Third time's the charm for rookie manager: Murphy notches first Majors win with Padres
The Friars snap a losing streak at an opportune moment: Homers power Padres to halt A's streak at 4
Shields vies for that elusive eighth win: Shields looks to keep perfect record alive vs. D-backs
Murph's Marks: Murphy's third lineup has Norris at first, Alonso at third
Game Notes @ OAK (06.18) Padres Send Kennedy to the Mound to Stop Streak and Gain Split
Looking forward:
Friar Forecast: Shields, De La Rosa set to face off in opener
Friday's probable pitchers: James Shields (7-0, 3.59 ERA) vs. Rubby De La Rosa (5-3, 5.27 ERA)