Framing the Friars: Cahill Struggles in Giants vs Padres Tank Battle
In a tank battle for the ages, or for the birds by the time this one ended, the Padres beat the Giants 12-9 in 11 innings.
At one point down 6-2, the Padres came back to take the lead on a Wil Myers home run that made it 7-6, and looked in good shape with a three-run lead with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, but Brandon Maurer walked Buster Posey, who later scored, and gave up a two-run homer to pinch hitter Conor Gillaspie to tie the game at nine.
With each team blowing a 3+ run lead, and three errors in the game. it was a contest of “who wants it less.” However, the bats of Jose Pirela, Carlos Asuaje, Matt Szczur, and Hector Sanchez kept propelling the Padres back into the game, and Phil Maton was finally able to lock down the win in the 11th for the Friars.
As a whole, the bullpen did a pretty good job, after Trevor Cahill did absolutely nothing to help his trade value. He scuffled through three and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs, five of them earned. Jeff Sullivan wrote for Fangraphs in May that Cahill was pitching well this season thanks to his ability to get to two strikes and convert those situations into strikeouts.
Cahill did not do that Friday, as he only threw 43 of 86 pitches for strikes, registering one strikeout and walking four.
Trevor Cahill’s night ended after a stretch that included two wild pitches and a walk. After Cahill exited, Craig Stammen, Ryan Buchter, Kirby Yates, and Brad Hand combined for 4.1 scoreless innings before Maurer ruined a 9-6 lead and let the Giants tie it in the bottom of the ninth.
Pirela, Asuaje, Szczur (who entered the game in the 5th when Cahill exited), and Sanchez combined to go 14 for 25 and drive in nine of the 12 runs.
WIL MYERS WATCH
Wil Myers hit a bomb on a full count to give the Padres the 7-6 lead. We know Myers has struggled to limit strikeouts this season, so the fact he forced a long at bat and blasting a homer in the end, is an encouraging sign. He also worked a five-pitch walk later in the game, but finished the game with just one hit in six at bats.
FUN FACT
“Everybody clap your hands” scares seagulls away.
Sean grew up watching and playing sports in Louisiana, but is now living in San Diego pursuing a MBA at University of Phoenix. Always had a soft spot for San Diego teams and is excited about the new buzz surrounding the Padres.
