If it’s not too late for a marketing slogan on the 2015 Padres season, they might want to consider this:
Year of the Double Play.
Unless the first two home games of the season are an aberration, it’s looking like there will be a whole lot of twin killings at Petco Park this year. After producing seven of them in the home opener on Thursday night, the Padres and Giants had six more, including the final two outs of the game, in home game #2.
This time, though, the Padres were the ones who scored just enough to get a win.
The Friars beat the Giants 1-0 on Friday night at Petco Park. San Diego scored its only run in the 8th inning when Wil Myers smacked a double to right to score Clint Barmes from first. It was the first run at Petco Park this season for the Padres, and it only took them 20 innings to get it.
Not to be lost in the offensive ineptitude is the start Brandon Morrow made in his Padres debut. Morrow went 7.0 shutout innings, allowing four hits, striking out seven and walking three, and he did it with just 88 pitches. He is not your typical 5th starter.
Problem is, neither is Tim Lincecum, especially not when he’s throwing at Petco Park. The Giants right-hander brought a 9-3 career record (plus a no-hitter) in to the game and matched Morrow with 7.0 shutout innings.
Craig Kimbrel came on in the 9th to record his first save as a Padre. He’s made three appearances, but this was the first one in a save situation.
So, the Padres and Giants have played two games and scored a total of two runs. On Saturday night, don’t expect the offenses to suddenly show up. James Shields and Madison Bumgarner will face each other again. You may recall Bumgarner beat Shields twice in the 2014 World Series.
