On a truly great American holiday, the Padres celebrated independence. Independence from having to score runs, win, or stay in playoff contention.
The Padres finished getting swept by the Red Sox with an 8-2 loss Thursday. San Diego has lost a season-high six straight games, scoring just seven runs over that stretch.
Boston, owners of the best record in the American League, jumped out to an early lead against LHP Eric Stults. Dustin Pedroia doubled home two runs in the first inning to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Brandon Snyder hit his first home run of the season, a solo blast, that would turn out to be the game-winner.
Stults gave up four runs in 4.1 innings. He's failed to survive the 5th inning in two straight starts, after going at least six innings in eight straight outings.
Jesus Guzman provided the lone offensive spark for the Padres. He went 3-3 and drove in one of the Padres' two runs. He nearly added two more, but his fifth inning line drive missed going over Fenway Park's 37-foot high left field wall by about eight inches.
It could have been a game-tying, 3-run home run, but instead turned in to an RBI single, the last time the Padres scored.
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That's the way things are going for the Padres right now. If they don't go the Washington and declare their independence from offensive ineptitude over the weekend, they might find themselves out of the playoff hunt by the All-Star break.
Wait, who am I kidding? This is the NL West! Anyone and everyone who doesn't fall 15 games under .500 will be alive until at least September.
