The Padres beat the Marlins 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Petco Park, taking three of four from Miami and, perhaps, giving the team a chance to keep the circling vultures from picking apart their roster.
The Friars are once again the subject of trade rumors and their recent hot streak suggests they might be able to keep the roster intact, something the guys in the clubhouse would really like to do.
"As much as anything," said outfielder Will Venable, one of the names being brought up in trade talks. "Obviously upstairs they're going to make what decisions they need to make. All we can control is going to New York and trying to change their mind with a few good games."
That seems like the view in the clubhouse is the front office is in a selling state of mind. But after a 6-3 home stand there is still hope. At least, the Friars hope there's still hope.
"Whether it's a naive thought or not," said Venable, "that's what the plan is. I know that's what we all want to do."
Although they still have issues scoring runs the Padres have played much better baseball, especially on defense, the last few weeks. They've crept back to withing striking distance of a Wild Card spot, making the decisions on whether or not to allow this team in its current form to stay together a whole lot more difficult.
Sunday's game was more of the same formula they've used recently. Get a good start (this one from Odrisamer Despaigne, who went 6.0 innings allowing one run on two hits), score just enough runs to take a small lead and let the bullpen lock it down.
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Joaquin Benoit and Craig Kimbrel, two more guys who seem to be on the trade block, both threw for the third straight game. Kimbrel notched his 29th save of the season with help from a fantastic catch by Venable in centerfield.
Outfielder Justin Upton, perhaps the most likely player to be traded by Friday's deadline, hit a laser in to the left-centerfield seats off former Padre Mat Latos to get the scoring started, his team-leading 16th home run. The question on Padres fans minds now is will be be his last home run in a San Diego uniform?
One of the teams rumored to be hot on Upton's trail is the Mets, the team the Padres start a 3-game series with on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
