The Padres only picked up a single hit, but that was all they needed to secure the win.
The Padres only had a single hit today, and it didn't even get out of the infield. If that was all you knew, you'd rightfully assume the Pirates won, serving San Diego their first three-game sweep of the season. So how in the world did our boys win this? Well, Pittsburgh served up the game on a silver platter. While only Everth Cabrera got on base the old fashioned way, Bucs pitching served up 9 walks and a bean ball, with the defense tossing in an error for good measure. Conversely, Ian Kennedy and the Padres bullpen allowed a combined 7 hits, but only gave up one free pass.
Chris Denorfia got things started for the friars, drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second shortly after. That's when Cabrera picked up the lone hit of the game, sending Deno to third on a well placed bunt. Carlos Quentin brought the first run home with a sacrifice fly. Chase Headley followed by taking one for the team, bringing up Tommy Medica with one out. Medica grounded into what should have been a simple double play, but a throwing error by second baseman Josh Harrison let the sexy rookie reach safely. More importantly, it gave Cabrera the opportunity to score.
The Pirates narrowed the gap in the top of the fourth, as reigning National League MVP Andrew McCutchen knocked a leadoff home run to left field. Kennedy retired the side after that, and that's when the weird baseball really started. Medica drew a walk to start the bottom of the fourth, and stayed put as Cameron Maybin struck out. Tommy moved to second on Rene Rivera's ground out, but with two out and Jace Peterson up, the chances of the Padres plating another run were low. But Francisco Liriano wanted to face Kennedy instead, so Peterson got a free base. Kennedy proved to be a more difficult out than Liriano planned for, drawing a walk on 6 pitches to load the bases. That brought Denorfia to the plate for the second time, and he took his second free bag of the afternoon while picking up an RBI as a bonus. A single from Jordy Mercer and a double from Harrison in the very next inning would bring Pittsburgh back within one, but that was all the Pirates could muster. The box score looks weird, but all that matters is putting another tick in the W column.
The Padres get a day off tomorrow. Hopefully they can get their bats in order to give Tyson Ross some run support against the Nationals on Friday. First pitch at 7:10 PM.