Dinelson Lamet Dominates in Padres 9-4 Win
Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
T-Mobile Park- Seattle, Washington
The San Diego Padres opened up a two-game series in Seattle after an off day on Monday. Fresh off dropping the series to the rival Dodgers in dramatic fashion, the Padres looked to win a series for the first time since the All-Star break.
Dinelson Lamet had the start and pitched extremely well.
Lamet typically has a fastball that tops out at 98 as well as a nasty slider and curveball. He struggled with command early and gave up a few walks but was able to pitch out of a couple of jams, including a situation where the Mariners had two runners on in the second inning. After settling down, Lamet retired 13 batters in a row before giving up his first hit with one out in the seventh inning. That knock was followed up by a Kyle Seager double. However, Lamet was able to induce a pop-up and strikeout to get himself out of yet another jam. His stat line was phenomenal on the night as he pitched seven innings allowing two hits, four walks and 12 strikeouts on 104 pitches, easily his highest pitch total of the season for the pitcher.
Adrian Morejon took over for Lamet in the 8th inning with an eight-run lead but did not have a great outing. He allowed four earned runs in one inning. Trey Wingenter closed out the ninth in quick fashion. It was the second positive outing for Wingenter who struck out two in the game.
The Padre bats came alive in Seattle. After being kept scoreless over four innings, the Padres scored five runs in the fifth inning.
Manuel Margot stayed hot by hitting a double and driving in a run. He has a .350 OBP in his last seven games for the Padres. Luis Urias second hit of the night scored another run in a 2-for-3 night for the second baseman. Austin Hedges laid down the perfect suicide squeeze to get the speedy Margot across in the 5th inning, which was a great moment for the team. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his 20th home run of the year. Eric Hosmer added a two-run home run in the eighth inning, and Josh Naylor also went deep in the inning. In the top of the ninth, Wil Myers drove in Fernando Tatis Jr. making it 9-4 which ended up being the final score.
The Padres took the first of the two-game series. Dinelson Lamet pitched a fantastic game. If he can continue to locate his fastball as he did on Tuesday, he can solidify a spot in the 2020 starting rotation. The team hit extremely well tonight with only Machado, Hedges, and Renfroe held without a hit. Wil Myers, Josh Naylor, and Luis Urias all had two-hit performances. When the offense scores nine runs, they can afford to have Morejon have a tough outing. If you were to remove the bottom of the eighth inning, the Padres were practically flawless. This is the type of performance that can propel them into a successful 2020 campaign.
The Padres moved to 52-60 on the year. On Wednesday, we will see Joey Lucchesi on the mound for the Padres, who are looking to earn a series sweep.
Lifelong Padre fan born and raised in San Diego, currently living in Temecula. The editors make me sound smart.