A flu, an emergency starter, a new member of the disabled list, and a whole lot of strikeouts. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?
The Padres suffered through a series of unfortunate events in a 2-0 loss to the Giants on Saturday. It's the first time San Diego has been shut out this season.
Clayton Richard was supposed to be the starting pitcher, but he got the flu, so Andrew Cashner jumped in to the starting role. Cashner threw pretty well, striking out five and walking one. The only black mark on his night was a walk to Angel Pagan to lead off the 4th inning.
Some folks might say Cashner also made a mistake later that inning when he gave up a 2-run home run to Pablo Sandoval, but the fastball was certainly in enough. Sandoval simply made an amazing adjustment to get the bat head through in time to launch one in to the elevated right field seats at AT&T Park.
Cashner was pulled after 65 pitches, but he'll be getting another start or two to stretch himself out. Before the game, the Padres placed RHP Tyson Ross on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder subluxation (where the shoulder temporarily dislocates before going back in to place). Ross suffered the injury on Wednesday night while he was batting against the Dodgers.
On offense, the Padres could not figure out Tim Lincecum. The 2-time Cy Young Award winner did not have the same dominating stuff he did a few years ago, but he was still extremely effective, striking out 8 Padres in 6.2 innings.
On Sunday the Padres try to avoid a sweep when they throw Eric Stults against San Diego native Barry Zito.
