The final Padres game at Petco Park 2019 had some similarities to the first Padres game at Petco Park in 2019:
San Diego sent a 2nd-year left-hander up against the left-handed ace of a division rival. But this time, instead of Eric Lauer beating Madison Bumgarner and the Giants, Joey Lucchesi lost to Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers.
It was NOT Lucchesi's fault the Friars fell 1-0, though. Joey tossed 6.0 innings and allowed just one run on three hits with six strikeouts. His downfall was a 2-out walk and a dropped ball at the plate.
In the 6th inning Lucchesi walked Chris Taylor with two outs to bring up Max Muncy, who has more than a few big hits against the Padres. Muncy lined a base hit to left-centerfield and Taylor tried to score from 1st base. Manuel Margot threw to shortstop Luis Urias, whose relay throw one-hopped catcher Austin Hedges.
It was a tough but makable play. Hedges didn't make it. Austin dropped the ball before he could apply the tag and Taylor scored to put the Dodgers up 1-0.
Against Kershaw that was enough. The multi-Cy Young winner went 6.0 innings with just two hits allowed and seven strikeouts. The Friars couldn't get anything going against four Dodgers relievers as L.A. completed a 3-game sweep.
San Diego finishes the season 36-45 at Petco Park. They have three more games in the season, all in Arizona against the Diamondbacks over the weekend.
