The San Diego Padres fell to the Cincinnati Reds 8-2 on Tuesday night. It was obviously much closer than the final score, as the game went into extra innings.
The Reds exploded for six runs in the 11th, thanks in large part to a go-ahead double by Ryan Hanigan and a three-run blast to center field by Drew Stubbs.
Here are some random observations from the game:
- Chase Headley had a terrible game. He went 0-5 with three strikeouts: –.393 WPA for the game. In the ninth inning he fouled out on a sacrifice bunt attempt with no outs, trying to advance Orlando Hudson to third base (-.111 WPA). In the 1oth he struck out with the bases loaded and one down (-.175 WPA). The game was tied in both situations.
- Speaking of that sac bunt attempt, I didn’t really like it. It’s one thing to bunt with a guy who has experience – real game-time experience bunting in high-pressure situations. Headley certainly doesn’t. While I don’t know how good of a bunter he truly is, asking a bad bunter (and pretty good hitter) to bunt there is probably not a good move.
- Clayton Richard pitched well, but he struggled throwing the ball to second base. In the 5th inning, Richard fielded a potential double play ball, but his throw to second was way off the mark. Orlando Hudson made a terrific play just to keep it in the infield (more on this in the next bullet). In the 8th Richard also had trouble with a throw to second, but Alberto Gonzalez bailed him out with a nice pick to record the out.
- On that 5th inning play at second – a crucial play, which led to the go-ahead run – there appeared to be some confusion over who was covering the bag. It’s basically always the shortstop’s ball there, as his momentum is already headed toward second base (and thereby first base) and he can see the play better. In my second base playing days, I always tried to angle out more toward the outfield and stay clear of the pitcher’s vision on plays like that, to avoid any confusion (while still backing up the play). I thought Hudson was a little close to second there.
- Oh yeah, Gonzalez at short, he’s pretty smooth. I mentioned that he’s probably a good defender when the Padres picked him up, as he definitely hasn’t stuck around the major leagues due to his bat. He’s made a number of very nice plays in the field and you can tell that he has a lot of confidence out there. He’s fun to watch. He’s hitting too, and we should probably enjoy that while it lasts.
The Padres had legitimate chances to win this one in the 8th, 9th, 10th innings, and couldn’t come through. It’s frustrating. Strike outs, failed bunt attempts, near home runs, great defensive work by the Reds, you name it. Anything to prevent that run from scoring. The Padres will have a chance to take one against the Reds tomorrow, before heading to Houston for a weekend series.
