If there is s such a thing as small victories, then Jeff Karstens outpitching Mat Latos through five innings is one of them. Unfortunately, the game continued past 15 outs.
Jose Tabata and Delwyn Young hit solo homers to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead after five innings. The wheels came off thanks in part to a couple of errors. Karstens was unnerved when Jerry Hairston Jr. reached on a Pedro Alvarez error. The next three hitters reached with Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley delivering RBI singles to put San Diego on top. Later in the inning Nick Hundly hit a sac fly to put the Friars up 4-2. The Padres scored three times while only getting two hits.
Karstens was pulled for a pinch hitter and after a quiet inning from Javier Lopez in the 7th, Sean Gallagher was roughed up in the 8th. The inning also got off to a rough start when Headley reached on Garrett Jones’ error. Gallagher loaded the bases behind a Tony Gwynn Jr. single and a walk to Will Venable. Suitably shaken, Gallagher stirred and committed a run scoring balck. He then walked Nick Hundly to re-load the bases. And then he was pulled for D.J. Carrasco who was unable to douse the flames. After an Everth Cabrera RBI groundout, Oscar Salazar hit a two run double. One out later, Chris Denorfia singled in Salazar. That’s five runs on three hits.
That was enough to get the job done. The Pirates put a runner on third in the sixth and the seventh, but could not bring him around.
Latos was the winner. He went six and allowed both Pirate runs on seven hits. He struck out seven and walked two. Karstens allowed four runs (two earned) in six innings. He struck out five, walked two and gave up seven hits.
The Good
Tabata had three hits.
The defense turned three double plays
The Bad
The offense struggled again, collecting just eight hits and striking out 10 times.
Gallagher was roughed up badly.
The Rest
The Padres have at least three players on their team with MLB dads – Tony Gwynn Jr., Jerry Hairston Jr. and Will Venable. I could be missing someone. Nick Hundley is not related to Randy Hundley or Todd Hundley.
Every active member of San Diego’s bullpen with at least 10 IP in 2010 has an ERA under 3.50. That’s crazy-good.
Latos hadn’t pitched since July 8th due to a strained muscle in his side.
This was the first career appearance by Latos against the Pirates. Karstens made his first career start against San Diego and fell to 0-2 in three career appearances.
