Episode Details

Robert Suarez gave up a 2-run home run to Tyler Stephenson in the 9th inning, and the San Diego Padres’ offense managed just 3 hits in a 4-2 loss to Cincinnati Reds that spoiled the return of Ace Michael King and evened up this 3-game series at 1 apiece with the finale set for tomorrow evening at Petco Park.

Stephenson hammered a low and inside sinker from Suarez just fair down the left-field line to win it, just 5 innings after being robbed of a homer to right field on a spectacular catch by Fernando Tatis Jr., who has robbed 5 fingers this season. Suarez (L, 4-6) walked Lux with 2 outs to get to Stephenson.

The Reds hit 2 solo home runs early off King, who looked good for a guy starting for the 1st time since August 8th and for just the 2nd time since May 18th.

The San Diego offense certainly didn’t help him much, managing just 2 runs on 3 hits the whole game.

The Padres scored 2 runs in the 5th inning, 1 on Jackson Merrill’s 2nd RBI triple in as many nights, scoring Ramon Laureano, and the other on Jake Cronenworth’s sacrifice fly that scored Merrill. Jose Iglesias was hit by a pitch and stole 2nd with 1 out, but Freddy Fermin struck out and Fernando Tatis Jr popped out in foul ground to end the inning.

Merrill doubled with 1 out in the 7th, but pinch-hitter Luis Arraez struck out and Cronenworth flied out to end the threat.

Manny Machado flew out to the warning track with Tatis on 2nd with 2 outs in the 8th, but other than that they didn’t get much going tonight.

King went 5 innings, giving up just 3 hits and 2 runs while walking just 1 and striking out 2. He missed almost 3 months with inflammation in his shoulder, came back on August 8th, and developed swelling in his knee after just 2 innings.

The Padres’ long and set-up relievers kept the Reds off the board just like last night, until Cincy got to Suarez in the 9th.

King’s return couldn’t have come fast enough for this Padres’ rotation that has been shaky at best without him, with Dylan Cease having a down year, Yu Darvish just rounding into form after missing the 1st 3 months of the season and the absolute lack of a 5th starter.

Only Nick Pivetta, (13-5) who will start this series’ finale tomorrow against the Reds, has given the Padres a consistent winner in the rotation so far.

Merrill went 2-4 with the double, triple, RBI & run scored. He was the only Padre with more than 1 hit.

Jeremiah Estrada, Wandy Peralta and Mason Miller- who struck out the side in the 8th- were lights out again for the Pads, combining to go 3 innings and give up just 1 hit & no walks while striking out 6.
 

***** ‘LIVE’ Instant Reaction from Jim “GRIES” Grieshaber

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The Pads and Reds play game 3 of this 3-game series tomorrow, with 1st pitch set for 5:40pm PT.

Pivetta (13-5, 2.85 ERA) takes the mound for the Padres, facing the Reds’ Andrew Abbott. (8-6, 2.88 ERA)

We will be here right after the game with your PADRES POSTCAST, hosted by Jim "Gries" Grieshaber- 'LIVE' and FREE on YouTube right after the game, and uploaded wherever you get your audio content and ROKU right after the 'LIVE' show.

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