Lucchesi lights out, Machado brings boom, Padres beat Brewers 2-0
Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego, California
The Padres welcomed the Milwaukee Brewers to town after a wacky weekend series in Denver.
The runs did not come as freely on this Monday night at Petco Park.
That was much in part to Joey Lucchesi. When the Padres desperately needed a long, solid effort from a starting pitcher in the worst way, Lucchesi answered the call, tossing the most pitches in a game this season.
The Padres jumped on the board early in the first after Eric Hosmer was hit by a pitch, Manny Machado doubled, sending Hosmer to third. Hosmer then scored on a wild pitch by Brewers starter, former Padre Jhlouys Chacin.
Machado collected his second extra-base hit of the game when he launched a solo homer onto the beach in right-center field for his 14th home run of the season, extending San Diego’s lead to 2-0. Machado has been red hot since the Friars arrived in Colorado and he looks to be hitting like vintage Machado.
Here comes Manny…
Make it 4 HR in 5 games for Manny Machado!
(via @Padres) pic.twitter.com/HrP4twBgUC
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 18, 2019
Meanwhile, Lucchesi silenced the talented Brewers lineup. He finished the night with seven shutout innings, walking three and five strikeouts. He gave the taxed pitching staff a much-needed breather.
Churve Day was a resounding success. Joey Lucchesi threw 103 pitches to the Brewers and completed seven innings without allowing a run, the longest scoreless outing of his career. The bullpen should lavish him with gifts.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) June 18, 2019
The Padres were unable to add on as they finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. However, the Friars chased Chacin after 4 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits, two runs, and three walks and the Padres were able to tap into the Milwaukee bullpen early.
The bullpen took over in the eighth with Craig Stammen, and he pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Kirby Yates came on the ninth inning to face the heart of Milwaukee’s order. Yates retired the side 1-2-3 to earn his major league-leading 25th save.
Machado and Hosmer each had two hits and Hunter Renfroe stayed hot, hitting his 11th double of the season.
This was precisely the type of game the Padres needed coming off of an exhausting 2-4 road trip, and now the momentum swings back in San Diego’s favor. The Friars go for the series win tomorrow as Logan Allen makes his major league debut on the mound.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.