ICYMI: Upton's homer lifts Pads to even series
For the second night in a row at Petco Park, fans were treated to a pitchers' duel between the hometown San Diego Padres and visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. This time, however, the game would end in favor of the Friars after an eighth-inning home run off the bat of Justin Upton. The blast put the Padres on top just in time to edge the Dodgers 2-1. Starter Ian Kennedy did his part in Saturday's contest, as he pitched beautifully over seven innings of work. Kennedy surrendered only one earned run on four hits while also striking out four and walking one. The lone run that Kennedy gave up was a solo home run off the bat of former Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal.
The Padres' offense was able to collect eight hits off Dodgers' starter Zack Greinke, with Will Venable going 2-for-4 with his fifth double of the season. The first Padres run came courtesy of a Matt Kemp infield single that scored Venable in the bottom of the first. The game would stay tied at 1-1 until the eighth inning when Upton's solo shot presented an opportunity for the Friars to tie the series. Staked with a 2-1 lead, closer Craig Kimbrel stepped in and notched his 16th save of the season. With the win, the Padres improved to 32-32 on the season and can take the series in Sunday's rubber match.
The Padres will look to close out the series against the Dodgers with starter James Shields seeking his eighth win of the season. In case you missed it, here are some stories and highlights that may have passed you by on Saturday:
Padres post-game recap: Upton's homer gives Kennedy the edge in duel
Kennedy posts seven innings of one-run baseball for a quality start:
Video: LAD@SD: Kennedy strikes out four over seven strong
Kemp opens the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning:
Video: LAD@SD: Kemp drives in run on infield single for lead
Upton puts the Padres on top with a solo-shot in the 8th:
Video: LAD@SD: Upton hits go-ahead homer, call confirmed
Kimbrel collects his 16th save of the season with a punch-out of Kendrick:
Video: LAD@SD: Kimbrel fans Kendrick to earn the save
Kennedy continues string of strong starts: Kennedy up to task vs. archrival Dodgers
Upton funk in full force against rival Dodgers: Upton prevails in crucial battle with Greinke
Rehabbing All-Star makes his way back to the mound: Johnson to throw sim game on Monday
Buddy's Bullets: Black talks about Alonso starting at third Saturday night
Game Notes vs. LAD (06.13) Friars Look to Take Back Momentum behind Rejuvenated Kennedy
Looking forward:
Friar Forecast: Shields attempts eighth win in contest against Bolsinger
Sunday's probable pitchers: James Shields (7-0, 3.79 ERA) vs. Mike Bolsinger (4-1, 2.08 ERA)