Padres sweep Cardinals with 5-3 decision

The Padres (24-17) entered their three-game series against the NL Central-leading Cardinals (23-18) down four starters and five total players in all. Despite the odds leaning heavily towards St. Louis’ favor, the fill-ins for the Friars capitalized on their limited opportunities and helped San Diego complete the sweep with a 5-3 decision at Petco Park on Sunday evening.

Ryan Weathers got the start and quietly kept the Padres in it through four innings. He failed to strike anyone out but limited the Cards to two runs on four hits. In a sight that might have seemed a bit odd, Dinelson Lamet came out of the bullpen to replace Weathers and proceeded to fan a pair of batters over the next two innings. He also allowed the Cardinals’ third and final run on top of two walks.

The rest of the bullpen effort held St. Louis to just two more hits through the final three innings before Mark Melancon closed things out for his 14th save of the season.

Patrick Kivelhan was one of those unsung guys who drove in a crucial off a sac fly to give the Padres the lead back early in the fourth inning. That was immediately followed up by a base hit from Ivan Castillo who just made his major-league debut earlier in the weekend.

Trent Grisham scored the game’s final points with an RBI double in left to give the Friars the 5-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Nolan Arenado got the scoring started for both teams with a two-run homer in the opening inning to give the Cards an early 2-0 lead. Yadier Molina later grounded into a double play to score Paul Goldschmidt to get the Cardinals within one run in the top of the sixth.

The Padres are back in Petco later this evening to begin their second series with the Rockies. Start time is 7:10 p.m. Yu Darvish (3-1, 2.08 ERA) and Jon Gray (403, 2.93 ERA) make up tonight’s pitching dual.