Framing the Friars: Padres Have No Answer for Jon Gray
Credit: D.Poroy/Getty Images
Petco Park, San Diego
One night after scoring eight runs, mostly behind historic hitting from Christian Villanueva, the San Diego Padres ran into a barricade.
That barricade came in the form of Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray.
Gray gave up only four hits over seven innings, giving the Padres fits as he stuck out seven. Colorado defeated San Diego 5-2.
On the other side, Padres starter Clayton Richard stumbled out of the gate, giving up five runs in the first two innings. The Rockies got seven of their eight hits off Richard in those two innings.
Richard pitched five innings, and held Colorado at bay after the second inning. However, their offensive effort in those first two innings was all Gray needed. He took care of the rest.
Colorado is roughing up Clayton Richard again. It’s 5-0 after two, and five Rockies have hit baseballs 100 mph or harder.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) April 5, 2018
Gray allowed just two hits over the first five innings. Both hits were from Cory Spangenberg. His second hit was a double, giving him his third extra-base hit of the season.
Hunter Renfroe made an appearance as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning. He hit an RBI-single off right-handed reliever Bryan Shaw.
Coming into the season, one of the biggest questions about Renfroe would be if he could hit right-handed pitching. Another question would be if he could turn quality at-bats into on-base opportunities. Last season, he struggled with getting on base. Through 10 plate appearances so far, Renfroe has gotten on base six times.
Only 10 plate appearances, but Hunter Renfroe has looked very comfortable at the plate this season. Pinch-hit RBI single, and it’s 5-2 Rockies.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) April 5, 2018
The first pitch from Shaw in the eight inning was a 92 mph cutter that went over the outer-half of the plate. Renfroe swung and sent a hard-hit single up the middle. That allowed Eric Hosmer to score from second, making the score 5-2.
Colorado and San Diego will play the series finale tomorrow at Petco Park. The game will begin at 12:40 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
From there, the Friars will embark on their first road trip of the season. They will play three games at Minute Maid Park against the reigning World Series champions, the Houston Astros. Their following series will take place at Coors Field, where they will play three games against the Rockies.
Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.