The mythical award that is the Vedder Cup will stay in San Diego for another year.
Not because the Padres won it, but because they didn't lose it.
The battle between the Padres and Mariners has taken on the unofficial nickname of "The Vedder Cup" because of the career of Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder, who spent most of his formative years in San Diego but hit it big in Seattle.
Last season the Padres won the Vedder Cup. This year they split four games, so it stays where it belongs.
The Padres could have taken it outright with a win Thursday in the East Village, but for some reason the Mariners turn into the Yankees when the play the Padres.
Seattle hit five home runs in a 7-1 win. Five homers by one team in one game matches the record for Petco Park, just the fourth time it's happened. The Mariners average just a shade less than one homer a game against everyone in the league not named the Padres.
But they've hit nine dingers in four games against San Diego (2.25 per game), playing in two of the least homer-friendly ballparks on earth.
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Starter Andrew Cashner gave up three of the gopher balls to take the loss. He was on a personal 3-game winning streak when he decided to shave his Dale Thayer-esque beard. Not to get too superstitious, but this was Cashner's worst start since going four innings at Wrigley Field on May 1.
Mariners rookie Nick Franklin got his first, and his second career Major League home runs. At just 22 years old, he's the 3rd-youngest player in Seattle history to have a multi-homer game. Only Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. were younger when they did it.
The Padres couldn't get anything going against Seattle starter Felix Hernandez. They didn't get a hit until Chase Headley's 4th inning single, and got their only run when Headley scored on a Carlos Quentin sacrifice fly.
So, the Padres and Mariners split their four games. The Vedder Cup stays put. On Friday the Blue Jays come to Petco Park. Jason Marquis takes the mound against Chad Jenkins.
