ICYMI: Friars downed by Crew's big inning
Wednesday's contest between the Brewers and Padres took an inauspicious turn after an early injury saw another Padres top performer go down. With the Padres already feeling less whole after losing Matt Kemp for the remainder of the season with a torn tendon in his right middle-finger, Justin Upton left in the first inning last night after colliding with the outfield wall trying to corral a Brewers base hit. Upton's early exit came in the midst of the Padres third loss in a row as they fell to Milwaukee, 5-0.
Starter Andrew Cashner showed promise early on as he held the Brewers scoreless through the first five innings on five hits. Unfortunately, the sixth inning would prove to be the breaking point for Cashner as he surrendered five runs without recording a single out in that frame. Cashner finished the night yielding five earned runs on nine hits and two walks while also striking out seven, bringing his final season record to 6-16 with a 4.34 ERA to close out his final start of 2015.
While Cashner struggled in the last inning of his last start, the Padres bullpen continued to throw up zeroes on the scoreboard. Four Padres relievers - Nick Vincent, Frank Garces, Jay Jackson and Bud Norris - each threw identical shutout innings, recording one strikeout and one walk in their respective outings. Overall, the Padres pitching corps combined for 11 strikeouts Wednesday night.
With Upton and Kemp out of the lineup for San Diego, the Padres offense tried to make due without their biggest run producing bats. While a pair of Padres enjoyed multi-hit games in Melvin Upton Jr. (2-for-3) and Jedd Gyorko (2-for-4), the Swinging Friars were unable to manufacture any runs against Brewers rookie Zach Davies.
Wednesday's game had other positive notes as well, as Padres rookie catcher Rocky Gale collected his first Major League hit - a long single into left field - in the eighth inning for the first MLB start of his career. Additionally, recent call-up Cody Decker made his defensive debut after pinch-hitting for Jackson in the eighth and staying in the game to play first base in the ninth inning.
Ultimately, the Padres went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position while also stranding seven baserunners. San Diego will try again Thursday afternoon as the Padres close their 2015 home schedule with the final home game of the year against Milwaukee.
In case you missed it, here are some highlights and stories that you might not have seen from Wednesday:
Padres post-game recap: Cashner cruises before giving up five in sixth inning
Kemp honored before the game for collecting first cycle in franchise history:
Video: MIL@SD: Kemp honored for hitting Padres' first cycle
Justin Upton leaves the game early after colliding with outfield wall:
Video: MIL@SD: J. Upton collides with wall, exits game early
Gale records first career MLB hit in the bottom of the eighth:
Video: MIL@SD: Gale singles to tally first big league hit
The day's top stories:
Voices, hold and new, bound for the booth: Padres hire Orsillo to be new TV broadcaster
Outfielder collides with wall, departs early: J. Upton exits after hitting head on wall
Padres RBI-leader to miss remainder of the year: Kemp to miss final games with finger injury
Reliable Ross reviews positive year, career-highs: After final start, Ross reflects on strong year
"Anti-Hero" Decker pops up on MLB Network: Cody Decker joins MLBN's Intentional Talk
Padres on Cut4: Callup and Actor Cody Decker hosted #PadresSH before Wednesday's game
Murph's Musings: Kemp to miss last five games with finger injury
Notable Notes: Game Notes vs. MIL (09.30) Cash Gets the Nod and Gale makes First MLB Start vs. Crew
Tuesday's #ICYMI Recap: ICYMI: Kemp's 100th RBI not enough in loss
Looking forward to the next game:
Finale Home Game of 2015 at Petco Park: Kennedy looking for strong finish to season vs. Brewers
Thursday's pitching preview: Ian Kennedy (8-15, 4.38 ERA) vs. Taylor Jungmann (9-7, 3.64 ERA)