An off day tomorrow is probably exactly what our Padres lineup needs. But they'll have to get through this final game at AT&T Park before that, and it won't be pretty if the offense continues to flounder.
Eric Stults only lasted 2 2/3 innings yesterday, giving up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks to the Giants in the middle game of the series. But all of that didn't matter as his offense failed to put together even a single run to try to battle back. Robbie Erlin hopes for more support tonight as he closes out the series and tries to avoid his fourth loss in as many starts. After winning his first start of the season with a strong one-run six-inning effort, Erlin hasn't been the sharpest on the mound. He's given up 15 runs in 16 innings over his last three starts, bumping up his ERA to a 6.35 on the season. That includes a start against the Giants in San Diego ten days ago (his first and only career appearance against San Francisco), when he surrendered four runs on three walks while walking three in six innings of work. But, again, the Padres offense didn't help much, providing just eight total runs of support in his four starts this year.
San Diego hitters were particularly hapless last night, failing to come up with even one run and only mustering three hits against Matt Cain's last-minute sub, Yusmeiro Petit. Tim Hudson will try to follow up Petit's strong outing and prevent the Friars from getting that series win. Hudson is 3-1 on the year with a 2.19 ERA and has been a fantastic addition to, and arguably the best starter of, the Giants rotation so far in 2014. But his sole loss of the year came in San Diego against this Padres team. That said, he still pitched a great game against them, giving up only two runs and walking no one in seven solid innings on the mound. It was, however his second straight losing decision against the Friars. Prior to that he had won five straight decisions, giving him a 5-2 record with a 1.82 ERA in his last nine starts against them.
Hudson will get things started at 7:15 this evening. Tune in to see if the Padres can pull off the win and end up with a .500 road trip and a happy flight back to San Diego for tomorrow's off day.