Padres' Ty France Emerging As Productive Bat That Must Be In Every Day Lineup

The San Diego Padres may have taken the loss in Friday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers in a high-scoring affair, but the offense held its own against the legendary Jacob deGrom.

On the legend’s 38th birthday, the Padres got out to a shocking 5-0 lead in the first inning, as left fielder Gavin Sheets tallied an RBI single before first baseman Ty France went the other way for an opposite field grand slam.

Unfortunately for San Diego, right-hander Randy Vasquez couldn’t maintain the lead and he allowed six runs in the bottom of the first. Three doubles with runners on base tied the game at 5 and former Padres catcher Elias Diaz drove in the sixth run with an infield single.

It was a nutty first inning, but both pitchers settled in over the next couple innings before France hit his second homer of the game, this time a towering blast to center field.

In 52 games, France has eight home runs and 24 RBI while slashing .259/.306/.490 (.796 OPS), building his case to be in the every day starting lineup. He’s typically used against lefties, but hitting two home runs off deGrom should earn you more consistent playing time.

Vasquez ended up taking the loss in this one after allowing his seventh run in the fourth inning, although an error charged six runs to his ERA. He lasted just 3.1 innings and allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out one.

deGrom completed six innings and allowed six runs on six hits and three walks but struck out nine. Texas tacked on a few insurance runs to ensure its future Hall of Famer would get the win on his birthday.

San Diego’s offense has been a let down thus far, but this could be a step in the right direction. Game 2 of the series will feature a pitching matchup between veteran right-hander Walker Buehler and lefty MacKenzie Gore.

Buehler took a little while to settle in but he has been excellent over his last seven starts, lowering his ERA from 5.64 to 4.14 in that stretch. He is 4-3 and possesses a 1.34 WHIP with 58 strikeouts to 22 walks through 14 starts (67.1 innings).

He last worked against the Baltimore Orioles and pitched five quality innings of one-run ball on six hits with five punchouts. Buehler will face the following Rangers lineup:

1. Joc Pederson (DH)

2. Josh Jung (3B)

3. Wyatt Langford (CF)

4. Brandon Nimmo (RF)

5. Ezequiel Duran (SS)

6. Jarred Kelenic (LF)

7. Jake Burger (1B)

8. Nicky Lopez (2B)

9. Kyle Higashioka (C)

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi was scratched with left knee soreness, so Gore gets the start instead of going on Sunday for the finale. Gore is 4-6 with a 4.27 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 86 strikeouts to 35 walks through 15 starts (78 innings).

He last pitched against the Minnesota Twins and threw seven innings of four-run ball on four hits and two walks while fanning 10 in a losing effort. Gore will face the following Padres lineup:

1. Fernando Tatis Jr. (2B)

2. Samad Taylor (LF)

3. Manny Machado (3B)

4. Xander Bogaerts (SS)

5. Jackson Merrill (CF)

6. France (1B)

7. Nick Solak (DH)

8. Jase Bowen (RF)

9. Blake Hunt (C)

First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. PDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.