Travis Jankowski got a lot of "firsts" out of the way early. The Padres rookie made his Big League debut on Friday night against the Cardinals (who, remember, have the best record in baseball).
On the second pitch he saw, Jankowski laced a single to center off veteran pitcher John Lackey for his first MLB hit. That not being enough, the 24-year-old outfielder followed it up with another hit in the 5th inning for his first multi-hit game. That single to left brought home Andrew Cashner to give Travis his first RBI. He then scored on a Yangervis Solarte home run for his first run.
Not a bad night in The Show, especially when it comes in a 9-3 win that just happens to be the 500th Padres victory at Petco Park. San Diego is now 500-450 in their downtown playground.
Jankowski was just one of many Padres who had a memorable night. Solarte had a pair of hits and has now homered in three straight games. If he continues to stay unseasonably warm, his new El Nino nickname just might stick (even though he's not terribly fond of it).
In the 8th inning the Padres got a couple more big blasts. Brett Wallace hit a 2-run, pinch-hit missile that flew 431 feet to right field. His shot was followed up by another 2-run homer by Matt Kemp that sent the Padres faithful home happy.
Perhaps the happiest man in the ballpark not named (or related to a) Jankowski was Cashner. The right-hander who has had all kinds of tough luck was saddled with another unearned run in the first inning after an Alexi Amarista error. It was the 22nd unearned run Cash has been saddled with this season, nearly twice as many as any other pitcher in the game.
This time, however, he got enough run support to overcome it. Cashner locked up the Cardinals offense for the next five innings, striking out eight to get the win. The Padres have won four straight games and are 8-2 in their last 10.
Local
Plus, with the Dodgers getting no-hit by Astros starter Mike Fiers, the Padres are now just 7.5 games out of first place. I know, I know, it'll take another 10 or so straight wins to get back in to playoff contention, but stranger things have happened.
Heck, if Donald Trump can be the frontrunner in a Presidential election, ANYTHING can happen.
