SD's walk-off loss begets 'great opportunity'

August 14th, 2021

PHOENIX -- The Padres are pressing.

Their lead over the Reds for the second National League Wild Card spot has dwindled to 2 1/2 games after a 3-2 walk off loss to the D-backs on Friday night at Chase Field. In manager Jayce Tingler’s words, the Padres “definitely feel it.”

“I know a couple of guys are just trying to do more than they need to, when in reality we just got to do our jobs and then collectively it comes together,” the manager said. “So instead of pressing and trying to do too much, sometimes you got to back off.”

Whether it’s veteran talking to his teammates or Tingler calling for a meeting, the manager said the current situation is something his club has to address. The Padres’ offense -- and energy level -- could get a boost this weekend if the club chooses to activate off of the injured list. He has been working out in the outfield for more than a week and could make his debut at the position in the near future.

“We’ve got a great opportunity in front of us, and that’s how we need to view it,” Tingler said. “We're preparing really hard. The guys are working, the coaching staff is working and sometimes, you just double down on the preparation work and go out and have fun, loosen up, play with a smile, play with some energy and all those things.”

What Tingler won’t do is make excuses.

“We are capable of playing better, and, ultimately, that’s what we have to do,” he said. “It falls on me, and I got to do a better job, as well. If I can bring some energy, keep them loose or anything like that -- definitely things I need to be better at.”

The Padres had their chances Friday. Trailing 2-0, hit a game-tying two-run homer in the seventh inning off D-backs starter Madison Bumgarner. The outfielder came into the game with a .189 batting average against the lefty for his career, but still has six home runs against the veteran, including two this season.

The home run was Myers’ 13th of the year. It just wasn’t the biggest homer of the night. Daulton Varsho hit a walk-off solo home run off in the bottom of the ninth inning for the game-winner.

“We're in that time of the year where it gets tough,” Myers said. “These are the grinding days, but this is why you play. You are definitely going to go through some ups and downs. This isn't the first one we went through this year. … There’s definitely no panic. We like where we are right now. We are definitely not firing on all cylinders, but I feel that’s coming soon.”

Better days could also be ahead for Padres starter .

Snell got off to a good start with a scoreless frame to start the game. But the left-hander labored in the second inning, tossing 35 pitches and giving up a run. He threw another scoreless frame in the third but upped his pitch-count to 70 pitches.

In the fourth inning, Snell failed to cover first base on a ground ball off the bat off Josh Rojas that bounced deep over first base. Hosmer fielded the ball behind first base but could not beat Rojas to the bag. Snell stopped running, pulling up short on the play. The Padres still managed to escape the frame unscathed.

In the fifth, the D-backs extended the lead to 2-0 with a solo home run by Ketel Marte. Snell was replaced by to start the sixth after the 101-pitch effort that saw him give up six hits and strike out six. Snell walked two batters.

“The most frustrating at-bat was definitely Marte,” Snell said. “I wanted [the curveball] more down. It missed middle and just hung. He’s a really good hitter and made a good swing on it.”