Maybe we should just leave the history books out for awhile.
The Padres added another page for the Elias Sports Bureau to add to its collection after losing 3-0 Thursday in Philadelphia.
San Diego was shutout for the 5th time in 10 games and became the first Major League Baseball team to “accomplish” that feat to start a season.
Phillies starting flamethrower - I mean, pitcher - Vince Velasquez was throwing spicy meatballs past the Padres all day long.
Velasquez struck out 16 batters and held the Padres to just 3 hits in a dominating performance. The young right-hander went the distance to notch the complete game shutout for the Phillies who improved to 5-5.
It was also his first career home start at Citizens Bank park. Velasquez struck out Jon Jay and Wil Myers three times and his final pitch to Myers was a 96 mile per hour heater.
If it wasn’t for Alexei Amarista (2 singles) and Jabari Blash (one base-knock) the Friars would’ve been no-hit.
Local
In fact, the first five men in the Padres batting order finished 0-for-18 against Velasquez.
Drew Pomeranz kept San Diego in the game and only gave up 2 runs in 6 innings of work. He posted 8 strikeouts as well but his performance was dwarfed by Velasquez's stellar outing.
Ryan Howard was a thorn in Pomeranz's side. The veteran first baseman gave Philly a 1-0 lead with a solo shot in the 2nd inning and later added a sacrifice fly to score another run.
The Phils plated their 3rd run when Andres Blanco hustled home on a wild pitch by Carlos Villanueva in the 7th.
A change of scenery is certainly in order as the Phillies took 3 of 4 in this series. San Diego finished its road trip 3-4 and fell to 3-7 overall.
As NBC7 Sportswrap producer Michael O’Connor joked earlier in the newsroom, maybe the Padres need to figure out a way to schedule more games in Colorado.
Unfortunately San Diego does not return to Coors Field until June 10th.
For now, the focus will be on the upcoming 9-game, 10-day homestand which begins Friday against Zach Greinke and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
James Shields takes the mound as the Friars look to get back on track and score their first run in front of their home fans.
Maybe we’ll see history made again this weekend – with the Padres first no-hitter. Hey, you never know.
