ICYMI: Padres take unusual extra-inning thriller
Major League Baseball has been around since 1869, and in its 146-year history there have been a lot of strange and peculiar ways for games to have been played out. Thursday was one of those peculiar days for baseball down at Turner Field, as the Padres took an unconventional path to tie and ultimately win an extra-inning affair against the Braves. Prior to going on to a 6-4 victory over Atlanta in extra-innings the Friars trailed 4-1 heading into the top half of the eighth inning. This three-run deficit was erased after a passed-ball to Justin Upton with the bases loaded allowed Alexi Amarista to score, an RBI-walk with the bases loaded to Yonder Alonso allowed Yangervis Solarte to score, and Cory Spangenberg reached base with the bases loaded on a catcher's interference - all in the same inning.
While the eighth inning was unusual in itself, the game started off on strange footing as well. In the top of the first, Matt Kemp was hit by starter Julio Teheran and the benches quickly cleared after Kemp had shown signs of frustration with the event. No punches or other altercation would arise, however. Kemp would eventually score thanks to a Derek Norris RBI-single and the Padres were steaked with an early 1-0 lead. The Braves quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame, however, and the game was held at a 1-1 tie until the Braves would once again score in the sixth inning. Manager Bud Black would then be ejected in the seventh inning by home plate umpire Jordan Baker after a frustrated Black attempted arguing that Braves infielder Jace Peterson had hit a ball twice with a single swing - something that should result in an out according to the MLB rulebook. Peterson would be credited with an RBI-single instead.
Fortunately, the Padres maintained composure following the ejection of their skipper and as mentioned above would put together an unusual eighth inning to tie the game. The Padres would eventually push the game into extra-innings with the Braves. Thanks to a 2-RBI single off the bat of Solarte in the 11th inning, the Friars went on to take the series finale by a score of 6-4 and secured both a series split with the Braves and a winning record on the road. Thursday's win improved the team's record to 31-31 and put the team back at .500 before taking a "Happy Flight" home to face the Dodgers on Friday.
In case you missed it, here are some stories and highlights that may have passed you by on Thursday:
Padres post-game recap: Resilient Padres take wild one in 11 at Atlanta
Norris' RBI-single brings in Kemp for the first run of the game:
Video: SD@ATL: Norris drives in the first run of the game
An unconventional eighth inning ties up the game at 4-4:
Video: SD@ATL: Padres score three in 8th to tie game
Solarte's clutch two-RBI single delivers the Padres a late 6-4 lead:
Video: SD@ATL: Solarte hits a two-run single in the 11th
Kimbrel strikes out Gomes to close out the game and collect his 15th save of the season:
Video: SD@ATL: Kimbrel strikes out Gomes for the save
The arms continue to impress out of the 'pen: Fine relief closes Padres' trip on a high note
Buddy goes to bat for his team after discrepancy with bat: Disputed RBI single leads to Black's ejection
Tempers flare in Atlanta after Kemp's HBP: Benches clear after Teheran plunks Kemp
Down on the farm: Casey Kelly makes third start for Double-A San Antonio
Buddy's Bullets: Black talks about Myers' Return and Alonso
Game Note Highlights: Game Notes @ ATL (06.11) Cashner Takes the Hill Looking to end Road-Trip on High Note
Looking forward:
Friar Forecast: Padres return home to face Kershaw, Dodgers
Friday's probable pitchers: Odrisamer Despaigne (3-4, 4.72 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 3.36 ERA)