Padres 2, Cubs 3: Friars lose by just one, but not because of a dirty Rizzo slide

The San Diego Padres played tough against the Chicago Cubs tonight. They kept things close, scored two exciting runs, and did it all without anybody acting like a chump. The Cubs can’t say the same, thanks to a cheap shot from Anthony Rizzo to Austin Hedges in the bottom of the 6th. Unfortunately, the resilience from Hedges wouldn’t go on to determine the win for the Friars, but at least Hedges isn’t a vicious turd.

The good

Two home runs is fun. One a leadoff blast from Jose Pirela to put the Pads up 1-0. Then, Yangervis Solarte’s 10th home run at the top of the 3rd giving the good guys a 2-0 lead.

Clayton Richard ran a tight ship for 6 innings and change. He was credited with 2 runs on 5 hits (one a home run), struck out 3, issued 3 walks, and of course induced a ton of groundballs. Nine to be exact. After his 87-pitch outing, Brad Hand and Phil Maton provided some level-headed scoreless relief and didn’t sink to Rizzo levels.

The bad

Only 2 runs is pretty rough, and 6 scoreless innings will burn ya. Wil Myers went 0-for-4, and the Padres stranded 11 on base, managing to go 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The ugly

Rizzo’s intentional ugly garbage can slide into Hedges was recorded as an inning-ending out, and Matt Szczur connected to home with a great through to prevent the run. But then, Kirby Yates went ahead and gave up the go-ahead RBI-Double to Albert Amor in the 7th.

The loss stunk, but Hedges is projected to return tomorrow. Albeit with a fat bruise.