Padres 4, Brewers 8: Kennedy rocked in loss

Sometimes your MLB debut is so impressive it sends ripples through the league. Sometimes you have an average start and raise a few eyebrows. Sometimes you get absolutely blasted in your first inning and give up 5 runs. Brett Kennedy did one of those things today.

Kennedy’s first batter was Christian Yelich. He grounded Yelich out after getting him to a 2-2 count, executing a 82 MPH slider exactly as it’s intended. That’s what the record books will say. Unfortunately, they might also say that Kennedy proceeded to give up 7 straight hits; 4 singles and 3 home runs. By the end of Brett’s 4 innings, the Brewers had tallied 11 hits and 6 earned runs, and left Kennedy with a 13.50 ERA. Less than ideal.

Phil Hughes did little to limit the damage and keep the Friars in the game, giving up a solo home run in the 5th and 6th innings. Trey Wingenter would be the only Padre arm to not give up a run tonight, coming in at the 8th with the Brewers up 8-4.

The Friars weren’t all the way out of it, especially after last night’s offensive burst. Cory Spangenberg had an RBI single in the fifth, Hunter Renfroe hit his 11th homer of the season in the sixth, and Manuel Margot continued his tear in Milwaukee with an RBI-double, cutting the Brewers’ lead in half.

Unfortunately, with two on and 1 out in the top of the ninth, Margot couldn’t keep the hot streak going and grounded out, giving Eric Hosmer the chance to strike out for the final out of the game, leaving Franmil Reyes and Travis Jankowski stranded in scoring position, and handing Kennedy the first (and ugliest) L of his MLB career.

Robbie Erlin will take the mound tomorrow, hoping to reignite some of the momentum from Tuesday and hand the Pads their first series win of the month.