Padres starter Anthony Bass was amazing. His defense was not. Once again, San Diego's penchant for giving opposing teams more than 3 outs an inning spelled doom for a pitcher who deserved better.
Against the Giants on Saturday night in San Francisco, Bass made his best start as a big leaguer. He took a perfect game in to the 6th inning, only to have it broken up on an infield single by opposing pitcher Tim Lincecum.
In the 7th inning, Bass allowed a leadoff double to Melky Cabrera, then dispatched of Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey. It looked like he'd get out of the inning when Nate Schierholtz hit a grounder between first and second. Orlando Hudson moved left, spun and threw a bit wide to first. Instead of stretching towards the ball, Yonder Alonso moved towards Hudson.
The mistake was subtle, but deadly. Alonso had to reach back to his left, and in doing so he pulled his foot off the bag. Schierholtz was called safe, the inning was extended, and Brandon Belt lined a 2-run double to left-center.
Bass ended up throwing 8 innings, striking out 8 and only allowing those two runs. Unfortunately, Lincecum also threw 8 innings and allowed only one run, which came on a Nick Hundley sacrifice fly.
The Padres have their 2-game winning streak snapped, but they still have a chance to win their first series of the season on Sunday. Clayton Richard goes against Madison Bumgarner.
