SAN DIEGO – Joe Musgrove set the tone for the Friars on the mound only giving 1 run in 7 innings of work. The Padres hitters had a total of 15 hits as a team with several pinch hitters coming into the game after gaining the big lead. Ha-Seong Kim got the action started with a leadoff homerun after he was moved to the leadoff spot with a great series in San Francisco. It stayed a 1-0 until the 5th inning when the Padres put up a 6 spot including a Xander Bogaerts 3-run homerun. In the 7th inning, Nelson Cruz had a 3-run single and then Soto would cap off the night with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Nationals had a 2-run 9th inning but would not make a threat to comeback whatsoever. Former Padres prospect CJ Abrams who was part of that Juan Soto deal had an RBI double in that 9th inning
Here are three takeaways from the game:
The Bats Takeover
The Padres scored the second-most runs of their season tonight. A big reason this was able to happen was due to the production throughout the lineup. Everyone contributed tonight as every Padres starter either had a run, hit, or RBI in the stat box. A big move was moving Kim to the top of the lineup tonight allowing his production as of late to be hidden at the bottom of the lineup. A lot of the Padres best games last year had Kim at the top of the lineup. This allows for the team to have players like Bogaerts down in the lineup. The Padres hope this can result in a higher batting average with runners in scoring position.
Joe Musgrove Stay’s Solid
Joe Musgrove had another solid start tonight with 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, no walks, and 7 strikeouts. That strikeout total is way up compared to his last start of one strikeout vs the Rays. Musgrove continues to be consistent for a team that has lacked that throughout the season so far.
Build on This
The Padres all season have lacked consistency which is a big reason their record is what it is. This weekend is a chance to get a good win streak going against a young struggling Nationals team. Tonight was a great start with scoring 13 runs with the game never being in doubt. The Padres hope to build up their confidence and use it going into July.
The Padres play in game 2 of the series tomorrow at Petco Park with a start time of 5:40 PST
