The San Diego Padres got another fine start from Randy Vasquez, and Mason Miller added a four-out save in the victory.
The San Diego Padres got back on track after losing their series in Milwaukee against the Brewers, as they used a shutout pitching performance by starter Randy Vasquez and a trio of relievers to post a 2-0 road win over the Seattle Mariners.
This was a tight pitchers duel from start to finish that featured Vasquez against Emerson Hancock of the Mariners, with the Padres breaking through on a two-out double by Miguel Andujar after a walk to Gavin Sheets. Both starters went six innings, with Hancock scattering five hits while Vasquez gave up four.
The Padres padded their 1-0 lead in the seventh off reliever Cooper Criswell, with Andujar once again in the middle of the action. He singled to center with one out, and another single by Ramon Laureano got him to third. Sung-Mun Song then grounded out to get the run home to make it 2-0.
The Padres used the usual trio of relievers to take this one home, starting with Adrian Morejon’s scoreless inning. Jason Adam followed by getting a pair of outs, but the Mariners also got two runners on after an infield hit and a walk, so manager Craig Stammen elected to go to closer Mason Miller for another four-out save.
Randy Arozarena loaded the bases off Miller with an infield hit to short, but Miller then struck out pinch hitter Connor Joe to get out of the jam.
Miller allowed two more runners to get on the ninth on a walk and another single, but he compensated by striking out the side to get his 14th save of the season. His ERA is now a microscopic 0.86 as he continues to have what looks like it’s going to be a season for the ages.
The Padres offense continues to be a huge concern, however. Manny Machado is now hitting .185, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Is down to .238 as his homer-less season continues. Andujar has been a find, but Laureano has cooled off considerably after a hot start.
There’s little doubt about why Stammen went to Miller early. The manager has no idea what he’s going to get from the back end of his rotation on a given night, so if a pitching-based win is available, he has to go for it. Stammen’s in a tough situation balancing short- and long-term needs with Miller.
“He’s as tough a guy as we’ve got, physically and mentally,” Stammen said. “I think that’s why he’s as great as he is, too. He’s able to not only be at the top of his game physically, but he can handle anything that’s thrown at him.
“Definitely, you want to preserve him for the whole season, and yet you want to win the game in the moment.”