SD 8, MIA 3: Preller's Padres maul Miami in 11

Padres fans gathered around their Twitters and their car radios anticipating a blockbuster trade from a Rockstar GM. A trade that never came to fruition. What they got today was news of a basic swap, aa lefty relief guy from the Indians for Abraham Almonte. Preller expressed trust in the product he put together, but to be honest, what else was he going to say? Either way, fans learned that these are our 2015 Padres through thick and thin. Today's game gave the faithful a real treat: an extra-inning blowout to start the series against the Marlins.

News that Ian Kennedy would be scratched from today's game to be there for the birth of his daughter. Odrisamer Despaigne was penciled in as the starting subsitute. Instead, poor weather conditions would keep Kennedy grounded, and he'd have to witness his daughter's birth via FaceTime. Not cool, Miami. To make things worse, Christian Yelich hits a two-run home run off Kennedy in the very first inning. The nerve.

Instead of allowing things to blow up, Kennedy bounced back with 6 full scoreless innings, only giving up 4 hits and 2 walks. The Marlins were pinned, and with a lead by the 4th, Craig Kimbrel had a yummy save opportunity. Unfortunately, with two outs, Kimbrel couldn't prevent Derek Dietrich from getting his shortened swing on a high-riding pitch, and things were tied in the bottom of the 9th.

No pressure, though. After a one-two-three RBI punch of Yangervis Solarte, Jedd Gyorko, and Alexi Amarista, the Friars were still very much in it to win it. Once things were taken to the 11th inning, with some clutch relief by Brandon Maurer, the wackiness came alive.

A Will Venable single, and a steal that got him to third on an errant throw, both Matt Kemp and Justin Upton would end up being walked by A.J. Ramos.  With the bases loaded, and a coaching visit to the mound, whatever strategy Ramos had going forward wasn't too great for Miami, because Yonder Alonso would then be walked on 4 straight pitches for the go-ahead.

A one run lead isn't that big of a deal, so Andre Rienzo came in to replace Ramos and make things more challenging. Walking Derek Norris for another run, and then conceding a bases-loaded single from Gyorko. Brett Wallace came in to pinch-hit for Maurer and contributed a single of his own. Oh hey, it's Venable again! Bases loaded RBI-single to shallow left field. Padres 8-3. Run time fun time.

Kevin Quackenbush made a cameo to close things up with a much more padded lead, and the Padres win and close out July with a winning record for the month. 50 wins, three under .500, and 6 games back from a wildcard spot. Oh yeah, and two more entire months of baseball. These are our boys, so there's nothing left to do but keep the faith.

I also won today's game thread.