Padres-Phillies: Padres Use Late Home Run to Top Phillies, 8-5
April 19, 2009 by todd kaufmann
Filed under Fan News
Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge hadn’t blown a save in 48 straight chances as he came into the game on Saturday night go for his 49th straight.
With one swing of the bat, Padres’ third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff would end that streak, as he sent a three-run shot deep into the left field seats to give the Padres an 8-5 win and yet another come from behind victory, their fourth already this season.
Padres’ starter Shawn Hill had another impressive outing, giving up just two runs on three hits through five innings, he’s becoming the pitcher the Padres knew he could be.
The one thing that has to still concern the Padres is he has only pitched five innings in each of his first two starts, that’s going to start wearing on their bullpen if they can’t stretch him to six or seven innings.
Speaking of their usual strong bullpen, it was the Padres’ bullpen that twice gave up the lead last night. Right-hander Luke Gregerson came into the ballgame in the top half of the sixth with the Padres leading 3-2, but promptly gave up a solo home run to Phillies 1st baseman Ryan Howard to tie the game at 3-3.
The Padres would re-take the lead in the top half of the eighth on a Nick Hundley single, scoring Chase Headley to give the Padres a 4-3 lead.
That lead was short lived. Right-hander Duaner Sanchez came into the game in the home half of the eighth and would give up a solo home run to second baseman Chase Utley, to tie the game at 4-4, then a sac fly from Raul Ibanez gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead.
Right-hander Cla Meredith would replace Sanchez with one out in the eighth inning and would get the final two outs, eventually getting credit for his third win of the season after Heath Bell worked a perfect ninth inning for his league leading seventh save.
The San Diego Padres, since losing two of their first three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers to start the season have won eight of their last nine games including a sweep of the San Francisco Giants, winning two of three in New York against the Mets and now winning the first two games of a four game set against the Phillies.
The Padres will go for the sweep, and their ninth win in ten games, as they continue their series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon.
Right-hander Walter Silva was put on the 15-day DL by the Padres a few days ago, taking his place and getting the start today for San Diego will be right-hander Josh Geer who was called up from Triple-A Portland. Getting the start for the Phillies will be former Padre Chan Ho Park.