Advertisement
Advertisement

The Grand Slam-Diego Padres

Advertisement

The San — well actually the Slam — Diego Padres garnered national attention this week while making MLB history.

They hit a grand slam in four consecutive games, the only team in MLB history to do so. That makes up for them being the only franchise to not throw a no-hitter. This record is cooler.

It all started on Monday night in Texas. The Padres were up 10-3 in the eighth inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. stepped to the plate to face Ian Gibaut with the bases loaded. He forced a 3-0 count, then launched a fastball over the heart of the plate to right center for a grand slam, much to the displeasure of Rangers manager Chris Woodward.

Advertisement

That grand slam was the 21-year-old’s second home run of the game, which gave him the major league lead with 11. It also sparked a national debate about whether or not Tatis broke an “unwritten rule” by swinging at a 3-0 fastball. Even Padres manager Jayce Tingler told the press that Tatis missed a take sign.

But his teammates had his back. And players around the league are calling for Tatis to win MVP. He leads MLB in home runs (12), RBI (29), runs (26), and is tied for the lead in stolen bases with six.

Advertisement

Wil Myers hit one on Tuesday, Manny Machado hit a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning on Wednesday, and Eric Hosmer capped the quartet on Thursday. Tatis also hit for the “Grand Slam” cycle, as he was on base for each of his three teammates’ slams.

The Padres swept the Rangers with two games in Texas and two games in San Diego. They hit walk-offs on Wednesday and Thursday.

This series was uplifting for the Padres because they dropped five in a row in the week prior.

The offense, which averages the second-most runs in MLB, was the story of the week for the Padres. The starting pitching was just as stellar.

Advertisement

Zach Davies was solid in the series opener, allowing three earned runs over five innings with six strikeouts.

Adrian Morejon was the opener on Tuesday. He threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. 

Chris Paddack bounced back from his previous start in his outing on Wednesday. He allowed one run over six innings on four hits with six strikeouts.

Dinelson Lamet pitched the final game and allowed two runs in five innings with nine strikeouts. He now boasts a team-best 1.89 ERA.

The Achilles heel of the Padres was also on full display, despite the sweep. The bullpen blew a lead in the final three games but was bailed out by the offense.

Closer Kirby Yates is out after having surgery on Wednesday to remove bone chips from his right elbow and his replacement, Drew Pomeranz, has been sidelined the past few games. Their No. 3 prospect Luis Patiño struggled as well, allowing one earned run and three walks in two innings. The walks are the alarming number for Patiño, he has eight in eight innings pitched this year.

The Padres travel to Houston for a three-game weekend series against the Astros, who have won eight in a row. Game one is tonight at 6:10 PST. 

Check us out on our socials:

Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk

Follow Jordan Spurgeonon Twitter @Spurge_

Main Image Credit:

Embed from Getty Images

Advertisement

Check us out on our socials:   
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk 
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk

Advertisement

Share this:

MLB baseball - Arizona Fall League
Latest News

Arizona Fall League to Get Underway

The Arizona Fall League is set to get underway on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Now entering its 32nd season, the league is a chance for top prospects to continue to hone and improve their skills. These prospects will get the opportunity to play with and against other rising stars from all over MiLB.

Read More
MLB Astros Mauricio Dubon bunting
Latest News

Bunting in MLB has Declined

Bunting in MLB has declined. Moreover, it has some wondering if this unique way to get a hit or move a runner up will become a thing of the past. There is a time and a place to lay down the bunt for a hit or to move the runner along, but managers today are using it less and less.

Read More

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Browse by Category:
Advertisement
Advertisement

Visit ChiefsBlitz.com for
hard-hitting KC Chiefs coverage.