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In a reprise of their home opener, the Padres destroyed the Dodgers tonight. The star of the show was Jason Marquis, who allowed just one run on three hits over 7.2 innings. He had considerable backup as the Padres offense went a combined 15 for 40 and 7 for 15 with runners in scoring position. Chris Denorfia, Yonder Alonso, and Alexi Amarista all had 3-hit nights with 5 runs and 4 RBIs between them.
Before I go on with the recap, I want to apologize. I've been vehemently calling for the suspension of Matt Kemp in the wake of Thursday's game, but I see now that I was acting in anger. Had I paused to reflect, I might have realized that neither he nor the Dodgers deserve such a punishment. Having Matt Kemp in the starting lineup every night is punishment enough.
1st Inning
The good guys came out of the gate running as all nine Padres came up to bat, scoring four runs on a slew of singles and a bases load walk. Marquis then sent the Dodgers down in order with only 9 pitches.
4-0 Padres
3rd Inning
Chris Capuano came up lame making the last out of the 2nd inning, but came out to start the 3rd. He walked Jesus Guzman on four straight balls and then left the game. Unfortunately, Capuano wouldn't beat traffic out of the stadium. As all the Dodger fans arrived, they saw the score and promptly turned around to go home. Guzman would come around to score, but the Dodgers got the run back in the bottom half of the inning. With the bases loaded and one out, they earned their sole run from Marquis on a Mark Ellis sacrifice fly. Then Kemp struck out, because he's the worst.
5-1 Padres
5th Inning
With two outs, Nick Hundley hit his sixth double of the season. Alexi Amarista followed with a single, allowing Hundley to score on one of Kemp's many awful throws to the plate.
6-1 Padres
6th Inning
Ho hum. Just more of the same. The Padres continued to ruin the Dodger bullpen as they added on.
8-1 Padres
9th Inning
Brandon League (unintentionally) hit Kyle Blanks to start the inning, and he paid the price when Blanks scored two batters later. Andrew Cashner came in to wrap things up for San Diego, but he couldn't resist making things a little interesting first. With two outs, he loaded the bases and then walked in Jerry Hairston. But that was the last mercy the Dodgers would get. Luis Cruz struck out to wrap it up.
Final: 9-2 Padres
The Padres look for their first sweep of the year tomorrow at 7:10 PM. Tyson Ross takes the mound against 2011 SB Nation Cy Young Co-Winner Clayton Kershaw.