The Dodgers took an early lead on 2-run home run by Joc Pederson in the 2nd off spot starter Frank Garces.  Rzepczynski and Norris followed with a combined three innings of scoreless work to keep the score 2-0 heading into the 6th.

So what was going on with the Pads offense that they couldn’t get on the board?  Clayton Kershaw, that’s what.  The lefty was getting an abbreviated 4 inning tune up in before the playoffs started. Along with getting in approximately 50 pitches of work he was also on a quest to record a minimum of 6 strikeouts to reach the coveted 300 mark for the season.  He accomplished both in dominant fashion recording six of the first nine outs via the punch out, the 300th coming at the expense of Upton, Jr. before leaving the game with 60 pitches under his belt.

In the 6th the Doyers added on to their lead thanks again to the long ball, this time on a solo shot by Seager which was later followed by a 2-run johnson off the bat of pinch hitter Heisey. 6-0 L.A.

The Friars finally broke through against the Dodger bullpen with Travis Jankowski getting a hold of an inside fastball and driving it over the right field wall to score himself as well as Hedges and Amarista both of whom had reached via singles earlier to get the Pads to within 6-3.  Upton later doubled in the inning to try to get the rally going again, but he was stranded and that was it for the run production for the game and the season.

Shortly after the final out was recorded A.J. Preller announced that an immediate search would begin for a new manager and that interim manager Pat Murphy would not return in that same capacity.  There was little surprise in this decision, and it is expected that Murphy will join the MLB staff of Craig Counsel with the Brewers.  As for the Padres search there’s already been quite a list of speculative candidates being thrown around baseball circles. Some of the rumored names include Ron Gardenhire, Jason Varitek, Sandy Alomar Jr., Phil Nevin, Dave Roberts, Mark Kotsay, Mark Loretta, Ron Washington, Joey Cora…and others so feel free to add on to the list.

With other teams also about to announce the sacking of their skippers it will be interesting to see both who else becomes available as possible candidates to take over in S.D., as well as how quickly the team will feel compelled to lock in on someone lest they lose out in the managerial feeding frenzy that is likely ensue shortly.

Along with the managerial decision could additionally be decisions regarding the coaching staff.  A harder working staff you won’t find, but with disappointing seasons often come sacrificial beheadings.  Having spent everyday of the season with this staff the past four years watching them give their all to bring out the best in their players, any changes will be hard to swallow… but changes are the harsh reality for those of us who are in the game so we are always cognizant of the potential for change.

So, stay tuned Padres fans.  Plenty of news to come this off season with announcements on a manager, players, and who knows what else.

Thanks for checking in on these Game Recaps during the season.  I hope they were of some informational and occasionally entertainment value to you.  Because of my fluid situation with regards to my association with the Padres moving forward I can’t tell you for sure what content I will be posting here during the off season, but I am inclined to expound on ball here in some manner as I enjoy the interaction and exchanges with you baseball fans.  Hope you feel the same!

Enjoy the off season, and look forward to sharing the playoffs, hot stove, and spring training count down with you as always!

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Greinke was every bit the Cy Young dominant pitcher that he’s been all year going 8 impressive innings before handing the ball to Jansen in the 9th for the save.  He cruised through most of the game with the biggest challenges from the Padres offense coming in the 5th and 6th.  Austin Hedges saw one of the rare fastball mistakes in the zone tonight, and got to it sending a 420′ bomb in to the left center bleachers.  In the 6th Spangeneberg and Solarte each singled to force Greinke to make some pitches with runners on base, but he rose to the challenge striking out the next two batters to snuff out the threat.

While the Padres offense was being generally shut down, the Dodgers offense was having a similar challenge trying to score runs against Robbie Erlin.  The lefty was coming off a great outing five days ago against AZ, and carried that same successful formula into the game tonight.  He made a mistake up in the zone to Turner who hit a solo HR in the 1st, then settled down.  He did allow another run in the 4th on a pair of singles and a ground ball double play, then retired the next 10 in a row and final 11 of 12.

He showed for the second outing in a row that when he keeps his fastball down he can induce ground balls effectively. He didn’t have a consistent curve but the change up was used as a nice compliment to the fastball, and helped him to induce 10 ground ball outs. He made tough pitches when he needed to and more than held his own against one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.  He can head into the off season knowing that he has enough right now to get MLB hitters out, and as is his curve ball consistency improves it will will only help to give him more breathing room with the heater.

The other Padres performance of note tonight was by Jedd Gyorko. Only one single and a walk in the scorebook, but he had some of the best at bats off Greinke tonight, getting good swings, fouling off tough pitches on the corners, and laying off out pitches out of the zone. He’s improved his mechanics and approach as a hitter this season, and it hopefully bodes well for his future and that of the Padres.

Final game of the season tomorrow! Can’t believe I just typed that…but game 162 is here. It will be a bullpen day for the Padres pitching staff with Garces starting it off and going as long as he can until all hands on deck cover the rest. First pitch for the finale is at 12:10, and Ted Leitner and I will be honored to have you join us for all the action on the Mighty 1090.

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The unraveling of the Pads and Casey Kelly started with a couple of missed location singles and a misplayed grounder that opened the floodgate.  On a slow roller to Spangenberg he tried to back flip it to Gyorko covering second but the ball sailed high and in the opposite direction Jedd was moving across the second base bag. Net result was the ball ended up in left field and no out recorded.  A couple of more hits and the game deciding damage was done.

In the 5th the Dodgers hit a couple of doubles to the right center gap that chased Kelly.  Mateo did a good job of stopping the damage but the Pads still found themselves down 6-0.

Gyorko singled in the 7th and Melvin Upton, Jr. hit his second double of the evening to get the Pads on the board.  Upton would later score as well on Cody Decker’s sac fly (his first MLB RBI) to cut the deficit to 6-2.  The rally ended there, though, and the offense was silenced the rest of the way.

Other than Upton’s two doubles and 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief by Mateo, Jackson, and Quackenbush out of the bullpen there were few other silver linings to this one.  As an aside, if I asked you which Upton brother has the higher batting average right now I think most, including myself, would answer Justin.  In fact, Melvin is the family leader now hitting .259 for the season (Justin .251), the highest personal mark he’s seen since 2008.  Have to give him, Mark Kotsay and Alonzo Powell credit for the changes he’s made to get himself back in the right direction offensively after two awful years in Atlanta.

For game two it will be Erlin’s chance to even the series.  He’s coming off an excellent 7 inning shut out effort against AZ, and looks to keep finish the season on a good note and spoil the Dodgers quest to gain home field advantage in the playoffs.  First pitch will cross the plate at 6:10, and Jesse Agler and I will be bringing you all the action on the Mighty 1090.

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Kennedy started for the last time this season and was solid.  He used his fastball, changeup, curveball combinations effectively and rolled double plays in the first two frames to stay out of early trouble.  He did get some defensive help as well with Jankowski gunning down a runner at the plate to end the 3rd.  Later Travis would also earn a Coleman Star (the last of 2015) with a gutsy running catch while colliding with the retaining wall in foul territory down the right field line.  Ian was clipped for a home run in the 6th but that was it.  Six solid inning of 5-hit ball with 11 strikeouts to end the season on.

The offense didn’t get him a ton of support but they did get him just enough early enough.  Solarte hit a two run homer in the 3rd to plate himself and Spangenberg who had walked.  The only other run came the next inning as Norris reached on a walk and later scored on Spangenberg’s single to right.  Yet another good day for Cory who’s had a really solid year and continues to bring his game up not necessarily in dramatic fashion but definitely with consistent steps.

Nice to see the back end of the bullpen function as planned with Kelly, Benoit and Kimbrel all accomplishing their assignments.  Scoreless frames for each, with Kimbrel’s being 1-2-3 to slam the door.

The final series of the season starts tomorrow up in L.A. at Chavez Ravine, with Kelly going to the hill for his second start of the season. First pitch will cross the plate at 7:10, and Uncle Teddy and I will be delighted to have you join us for all the action on the Mighty 1090!

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For the past 12 years I have been blessed to be a part of the Padres broadcast coverage.  However, as you may have heard yesterday in a press release from the organization, as this season ends so possibly will the string of summers that we’ve shared together.

Whether it’s been the pre and post game shows on television and radio, or the in-game broadcasts as I’ve done in recent years, it has always been a humble and joyful honor to be invited into your living rooms, cars, work places, headphones, and everywhere else we watch or listen to Padres baseball together.

It’s been an incredible journey sharing with you all the highs and lows that each season has to offer, as well as those that this organization and you, its fan base, have endured. From day one I have tried to share my passion for the game in an honest, informative, and fun way. While I would never expect everyone to like my style, I do at least hope that my passion for the game, and respect for all of you as fans came through the airwaves each night.

I look forward to my next adventure and staying involved with Major League Baseball, hopefully here in San Diego so that we can continue our shared quest to bring an MLB championship trophy to our community.

Whether this is simply a so long until next spring,  or a longer good bye until our paths cross again I would like to extend some sincere Thank-You’s…

• To the Padres organization for having given me this opportunity, and for their support up to this point in my efforts to be positive yet honest in my broadcasting.
• To all of my broadcast partners and producers over the years, especially most recently the inimitable “Uncle Teddy” Ted Leitner and the esteemed Dave Marcus. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making everyday at the ballpark and in the booth a fun adventure as we created some of the best broadcasts in MLB.
• To the players my utmost respect for bringing it on the field each and every night, and appreciation for your cooperation with the pesky daily interviews.
• To the coaches and baseball operations department, very few will ever fully understand nor appreciate what you give of yourselves to try to bring championship baseball to San Diego. Thank you for your sacrifices, and don’t give up the good fight.
• To all the hard working behind the scenes employees of the organization and stadium operations who bust their tails everyday to bring Padres baseball to life in our community my sincerest thank you for all of your unsung efforts!
• To my family thank you for all of your support in allowing this big kid to continue to pursue his dream of being a part of the game he loves.
• To the fans of San Diego thank you for your support, for holding my feet to the fire, for teaching me as much if not more than what I hope to have shared with you, and for loving the game of baseball. If it weren’t for you MLB in San Diego would not exist. No one deserves a championship more than you!

Since yesterday’s announcement the outpouring of support you’ve shown through your Tweets, emails, texts, Facebook posts, and hand shakes and hugs at the ball park have been overwhelming.  I can’t begin tell you how appreciative and humbled I am for your kindness.  Although I am unable to reply to all of your messages and comments individually please know that each and every one is deeply appreciated. Thank you!!!

Until next time my friends…keep the faith!

With sincerest respect and appreciation,

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Ross was touched for two runs in the first inning before he found his rhythm.  Once he found it though, he was tough. He held the BrewCrew in check over the next four innings as the offense forged a comeback.

With two outs in the 3rd, Lopez making his MLB debut started to falter. Solarte reached on a single as did Kemp. Upton then hit a rocket into left field that would have likely scored two runs, but it hit the ground so hard that it caromed up into the stands for a ground rule double plating only Solarte. 2-1 MIL.

The next inning picked it right up again with Spangenberg leading the charge with a triple, and Hedges following with a walk.  Ross got jammed but blooped the ball into field for a single to score Spangenberg. Myers singled as well to score Hedges and the Friars had their first lead of the game 3-2.

It all came crashing down in the 6th for the Padres started by a single by Khris Davis. Ross retired the next batter, but a mistake on the inner half to Jean Segura was turned on and driven into the second deck  for a 2-run homer giving the Brewers a 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish.

Three Milwaukee relievers combined to hold the Friars scoreless for the rest of the game to take the series opener.

Matt Kemp reached the 100 RBI plateaus with his ribeye in the 3rd. It was the third time in his career that the had done it and the 14th time in Padres history.  Unfortunately he would leave the game later with soreness in his right hand.

Cashner will try to even series with the first pitch reaching home at 7:10.  Loo forward to having you join Uncle Teddy and me for the action on he Mighty 1090.

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Shields did not have consistent fastball command throughout yet battled with his other pitches to stay competitive and keep the team in the game through 6 1/3 innings.  He had runners on base in every frame but bobbed and weaved successfully until the 4th.  A fastball mistake out over was driven over the center field wall by Peralta to put the snakes up 1-0.

Arizona struck with the power game once again the next inning, this time by Inciarte, who had already singled in his previous two at bats, as he pulled a fastball down the middle into the right field seats to post a 2-0 D’Back lead.

The Pads finally answered in the 5th with two of their own with the rally being started by Shields himself with a double.  Janwoski drove him in with a triple that almost turned into an inside the parker.  He would end up scoring anyway on Spangenberg’s single and the Pads had knotted it up 2-2.

Despite having to work out of the stretch making high intensity pitches most of the warm and sunny day Shields went out for the 7th. In his lsat outing he held the Rockies to 1 run over 6 innings but the 7th was asking too much and 3 runs were tagged on to his line score.  Similar scenario today as he battled to keep the game tied through 6, but the 7th was simply too much for him as he allowed a lead off single, followed by Inciarte’s second homer of the day on a hanging hook to put AZ up 4-2.  That would essentially be all she wrote.

The Pads had a golden opportunity to tie it in the 7th with lead off walks issued to Solarte and Upton Jr. to start the frame. Jankowski successfully moved them over with a  bunt.  With the table set, though, Spangenberg and Kemp were both retired to leave the tying runs stranded.  Womp, womp…

The Pads went down in order in the 8th and 9th with Ziegler getting the save. Despite the loss the Pads still won the season match up 10-9.

One additional note for Shields. For the 9th consecutive season he reached the 200 innings pitched mark, which is currently the longest active streak amongst MLB pitchers.  Mark Buehrle is 9 innings away from eclipsing that mark for his 15th consecutive 200+ inning season but has only one start left.

The Brewers are coming to town on Tuesday and Tyson Ross will open the series for the Friars on the hill.  First pitch will cross home plate at 7:10 and Uncle Teddy and I will look forward to you joining us for the all the action on the Mighty 1090.

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Erlin’s first MLB outing of the season in Colorado last week did not go anywhere near what he had hoped for lasting only three innings and allowing seven runs on nine hits. With the addition of Kelly to the rotation Robbie got an extra day’s rest and it seemed to do him good.  He was a completely different pitcher from the first batter on.  The fastball command was outstanding as he lived on the corners most of the night and when he did miss it was off the plate. He also used his changeup and cutter effectively so that in spite of not having a consistent curveball he was still able to carve the AZ hitters up.

He was so effective that he flirted with a no-hitter until two outs in the 6th when he finally yielded a triple  to Inciarte. No worries as he struck out the next batter to strand the runner at third. That was as close as AZ got to scoring throughout the evening.  He would end up going seven excellent innings allowing only two hits and showing everyone why he was so highly touted in the trade that brought him over from the Rangers back in 2011.

With that kind of an outing he didn’t need much offense and he wouldn’t get much. In fact it wasn’t until the 6th that he was given a lead to work with. Spangenberg doubled to start things off and reached third on a wild pitch.  Gyorko hit a medium fly ball to right-center-field that set the stage for an exciting play at the plate. Spangy had to go for it, and Inciarte made the catch with his momentum coming through the ball on the run, crow hopped, and fired a bullet home.  It was just a couple of feet up the first base line but that was all it took for Spangy to tag up and score just ahead of the swipe tag by the catcher Castillo.  The play was challenged and after three minutes was upheld to confirm the Pads a 1-0 lead.

Two innings later Spangy again started the rally, this time with an infield single.  He would round the bases on Upton’s double.  Gyorko would then drive in Kemp, who singled earlier, on a sac-fly and the Pads had a comfy 3-0 lead to hand over to Kimbrel.

For the 38th time this season Kimbrel shut the door and the Pads were able to play some loud postgame victory music in the clubhouse.

A really well played game by the Friars all around.  Erlin was surgical with the fastball.  Spangenberg’s speed factored in two of the three runs that scored. The defense was solid.  The bullpen held the line for the final two after Erlin’s effort.  Fun game!

Tomorrow Shields will go for his 14th win of the season. First pitch will cross the plate at 1:10 and Uncle Teddy will be back with me in the booth for all the action on the Mighty 1090.  Look forward to you joining us!

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So how did it go for the righty returning from TJ surgery? Well, he had two outings in one.  In his first MLB start since 2012 it is totally understandable that he would have some butterflies. Coming back from TJ surgery and returning to the mound as a starter after three years would raise the adrenalin level of anyone, and it showed in the first two innings.  Two runs crossed on hard hit balls in the first.  Four more were plated by a Pollock grand slam home run in the second.  6 runs on 6 hits in the first 1 1/3 innings…not the return he was hoping for.

So part one was a disaster, but again it was a two part play. The second act went much better. In fact it went perfectly.  After the grand slam he hit the reset button and found his command, and in doing so retired the next 11 batters in a row.  He’s always shown guts, and did it once again tonight finishing with 3 2/3 excellent innings to use as a stepping stone towards his next effort on his comeback journey.

Needles to say for all intents and purposes the outcome of the game was determined after the grand slam.  The Pads did try to climb back in it however. Gyorko, Myers, and Amarista each drove in a run in the 4th, 5th, and 6th respectively to get the Friars to within 6-3.  Norris lead off the 9th with a single to give the Friar Faithfula glamour of hope for yet another walk off comeback. No dice this time, and the Pads dropped the first game of the weekend set.

Erlin will get another chance to wow the brass and hopefully tame the snakes tomorrow with the first pitch crossing the plate at 5:40.  Jesse Agler and I will have the call for you.  Look forward to you joining us on the Mighty 1090.

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Kennedy started the game and was bobbing and weaving from the get go.  He allowed a lead off double then a single that would have lead to a first inning tally for the Giagantes had it not been for a well executed relay to the plate started by Upton Jr. in center field, to Myers, to Norris to gun down Pagan at home.  He wouldn’t be as lucky in the 2nd as Crawford would deposit a home run over the center field wall to put NorCalers up 1-0.

The last time the Pads faced Bumgarner they were one hit by the lefty, so that one run could have been enough on any given night.  Tonight was not one of those nights as MadBum wasn’t quite as perfect as last time.  He allowed a walk and single to start the 2nd which set the stage for Norris who picked out a hanging breaking ball to his liking and drove it opposite field into the right field seats.  3-1 Pads.

You better make that lead stand because against Bumgarner that may be all you get! Ian tried to preserve the lead but his sharpest stuff just wasn’t consistently there tonight. Flat pitches of all makes and models were in the zone and getting hit. Double, single, double plated another S.F. run in the 3rd to cut the Friar lead to 3-2.

Two innings later the run advantage would evaporate completely on a double, walk, single, wild pitch and balk which combined produced two runs and a Giant 4-3 lead. Potentially lethal with Bumgarner on the hill, who was getting shaper as the game went on.  Despite struggling to find any pitch he could consistently throw where he wanted to, Kennedy at least kept the game within a run over his five laborious innings of work.

The good news is it’s September and the bullpens are exhausted and filled with young and unpredictable arms to forge comebacks against.  Snipering the ‘pen was the modus operandi last night to complete the comeback walk off, so why not try it again tonight, right?

Kemp was the first to take care of business with his 8th inning 2-out, RBI double that scored Spangenberg to tie the game up 4-4.  As the Mattiator in the big board video asks, “Are you not entertained?”

The 9th gave rise to a new hero.  After Norris doubled, and was sacrificed to third by Upton Jr., Murphy sent Amarista to face the hard throwing left hander Osich. With the infield and outfield pulled in to cut down the run at home Ninja got a fastball that he could barrel up and sent it into the left field gap easily scoring Norris from third for the game winning walk off victory.  Let the post game interview Gatorade bucket flow!  Wait…where was it?

It was the fourth walk off of the season for the Fathers this season, and the third game winning hit of Ninja’s career.

Petco welcomed it’s fist baby born at the stadium.  Little Levi entered the world in the third inning at the Palm Court Plaza, and was treated to his first Padres walk off W.  Not a bad way for him to start his Padres Fan career!

Tomorrow Casey Kelley will get his first start since 2012, with the first pitch being fired at 7:10.  Can’t wait to see if the Pads can win walk off style for a third time, and for you to join Uncle Teddy and me for all the action on the Mighty 1090!

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