For the 6th straight season, the Padres will finish the year with a losing record.
Wednesday’s 7-2 defeat at the hands of the visiting Red Sox made it official. Even if the Friars win their last 24 contests in a row, they would still finish 80-82.
Starting pitcher Jarred Cosart left the contest in the 4th inning after straining his right hamstring and his groin covering first base on a grounder.
The Red Sox built a 5-2 advantage thanks to a 2-run double by Dustin Pedroia that came against Carlos Villanueva.
Yangervis Solarte put the Padres in front early with a RBI double in the first inning. Myers scored on the play and later added a sacrifice fly to account for San Diego’s other run.
Reliever Jake Smith made his Padres debut after getting promoted Wednesday from Double-A San Antonio.
Smith was named Minor League Baseball’s Relief Pitcher of the Year and once served as a groundskeeper with San Francisco’s single-A affiliate before getting his chance with the Giants organization. Now the 48th round draft pick is a success story after reaching the bigs.
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Smith’s first major league pitch however was not what he expected.
Hanley Ramirez spoiled the moment by smacking the ball over the wall for a solo shot. The homer gave Boston a 6-2 advantage.
In the 9th, former Padres closer Craig Kimbrel recorded the final out against his former club.
Before the game, the Padres honored retiring Red Sox slugger David Ortiz by presenting him with a surfboard. The item shows Big Papi himself tipping his batting helmet to fans during this year’s All-Star Game which was held in San Diego a couple months ago at Petco Park.
Clayton Richard opposes Colorado starter Jeff Hoffman Thursday evening with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m.
