Framing the Friars: Stammen Gets the Win
The San Diego Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-0 on Aug. 30 at Petco Park, and Craig Stammen played a pivotal role in making the shutout happen.
The right-handed reliever was the winning pitcher of record against the Giants in the series finale. This is his second win of the season, improving his win-loss record to 2-2.
The guy who goes by the nickname “Trig” quietly had a good month of August. He posted 1.38 ERA during the month, allowing just two earned runs in 13 innings pitched. His season ERA now is at 3.42, more than a full point lower than it was at the beginning of July.
Stammen entered the game with one out in the fifth inning and the bases loaded. Travis Wood made the start, and was at 97 pitches when he was taken off the mound.
Stammen took over and immediately went to work. He got Hunter Pence to strike out on a foul tip. The next batter was Nick Hundley, who hit a soft grounder to second, ending the inning.
Stammen stayed in the game to pitch the sixth inning. He made quick work, retiring the Giants in order.
Wood didn’t stay in the game long enough to qualify for the win, but he did show up with his bat. In the bottom of the third, Wood got ahold of a 1-1 change-up from Giants starter, Ty Black, and sent it over the wall in left. It was the Padres’ first run and first hit of the game.
That home run turned out to be the winning run. The Padres added on for more insurance runs the rest of the way.
Jose Pirela hit a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. Black threw a 78 mph changeup down the middle, and Pirela took advantage. It was Pirela’s fifth home run in the month of August. He’s leading all position players on the team with a .844 OPS, as well.
Wil Myers scored from third on a wild pitch, and Austin Hedges hit an RBI-single in the sixth inning to make the score 4-0.
Jabari Blash added an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Blash reached base four times in the game, hitting two singles and drawing two walks. Hunter Renfroe was sent down to Triple-A El Paso on Aug. 19, and Blash was called up to start in right field. He’s posted a .382 OBP since being called back to the Padres.
The Friars will enjoy a day off before starting a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on Sept. 1.
Dinelson Lamet will start on the mound. Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to make the start for L.A. This will be his first start since July 23. He spent an extended amount of time on the disabled list with lower back soreness.
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.
