ICYMI: Ross rules over Rangers in shutout
Monday night's series opener against the Rangers marked the first game of an 11-game homestand for the Padres. Thanks to a shutdown performance by Tyson Ross and a 12-hit offensive showing, the Friars kept their recent success at Petco Park going with a 7-0 win over Texas. The Padres improved to an 8-2 record (.800) in their last 10 games at home while also finishing the month of August with an even 14-14 record (.500) in 28 games.
Ross collected his 10th win of the year, throwing seven innings of shutout baseball on 104 pitches. Ross limited the Rangers to just two walks and three hits while striking out seven.
Ross continued to impress with his skills at the plate as he collected his career-high fourth RBI of the season with an RBI single in the sixth inning. After going 1-for-3 on Monday, Ross improved to a .250 batting average on the season, the highest batting average for a Padres pitcher since Jake Peavy posted a .265 average in 2008.
Yonder Alonso posted his second straight multihit game, going 2-for-5 with an RBI and run. Cory Spangenberg and Travis Jankowski each enjoyed multihit efforts as well as Jankowski collected his first career extra-base hit with a triple in the eighth inning. He also collected his first Major League stolen base in the third.
Matt Kemp extended his active streak of reaching base safely to 20 games with an RBI double in the third inning. Kemp's double marked his 25th two-bagger of the year while also marking his 25th RBI in August. Yangervis Solarte and Jedd Gyorko also collected RBIs, their 53rd and 39th of the year, respectively, while Brett Wallace continued to prove his worth off the bench with an RBI pinch-hit double in the eighth inning.
In case you missed it, here's a look at some highlights and stories you may not have seen:
Padres postgame recap: Ross sharp as Padres blank Rangers
Ross strikes out seven over seven scoreless innings Video: TEX@SD: Ross fans seven over seven scoreless for win
Alonso's RBI single opens the scoring for the Friars Video: TEX@SD: Alonso opens the scoring with RBI single
Kemp's RBI double off the wall Video: TEX@SD: Kemp doubles home Alonso in the 3rd
Spangenberg drives in Kemp with an RBI double Video: TEX@SD: Spangenberg doubles home Kemp in the 6th
Jankowski rips a triple down the right-field line Video: TEX@SD: Jankowski legs out a triple in the 8th
Young Padres speedster has career night at home: Jankowski halts slump with pair of firsts
Venerable Venable receives warm welcome at Petco Park: Rangers' Venable happy to return to SD
Kemp has sixth inning wardrobe malfunction: Kemp's belt comes undone while mom is in attendance
A lot to look forward to in 11-game homestand: Happening Homestand Report: Aug. 31st - Sept. 10th
Down on the Farm: El Paso's playoff chase may stagger callups
Murph's Musings: Johnson to throw second simulated game Tuesday as Myers heads to Elsinore
Game Notes vs. TEX (08.31) Ross Ready for Repeat Performance against Rangers
Looking forward:
Friar Forecast at Petco Park: Cashner seeks to return to win column vs. Rangers
Tuesday's probable pitchers: Andrew Cashner (5-13, 4.05 ERA) vs. Yovani Gallardo (11-9, 3.14 ERA)