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“Padres–Progress & Disappointment”

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Well that was really ugly.

In a season of some ups and a bunch of downs, the Padres erratic play continues.

The Monday night loss to the lowly Miami Marlins was deflating. But then so many other recent series this summer have been the same way.

Losing to struggling Pittsburgh. Getting shelled by the Giants. Name it and it has happened, including this current 7-game home field losing streak they left behind as they started this 9-game road trip..

It’s part of a learning curve season for the youngest pitching staff in the National League West, and maybe the second-or-third youngest only to gruesome Detroit Tigers, and the young Marlins.

The very fast (11-5) start in April is a distant memory, with a team now that is now (34-44) since the fast start and has not had a winning month since April.

There have been flashy starts from Joey Lucchesi, Eric Lauer, the blazing start by Chris Paddock, and some solid outings from Matt Strahm and Calvin Quantrill.

Logan Allen had one great game, Dinelson Lamet, a year after surgery, pitched so well first time out, and waiting in the wings might be Garrett Richards, the ex Angels ace in August.

But the league and scouting reports have caught up to the team, and possibly the fatigue of a long season taking a toll on the resiliency of the young pitchers.

That coupled with the up and down outings of an overused bullpen. Manager Andy Green has yet to find reliable middle of the game guys out of the bullpen. He really needs a bridge to get to Craig Stammen and ace closer Kirby Yates.

There’s really nothing to really be done, but to ride out this young season, and to continuing giving the ball to the young arms.

The Padres don’t need to trade a wheel barrow full of prospects for Noah Syndegaard of the Mets, or to try and buy a short term rental like a Mike Leake of Seattle or Robbie Ray of Arizona.

The Padres everyday lineup is a hindrance too. They may hit lots of home runs, but the batting average with runners in scoring position, is anemic. The strikeouts are still high.

Wil Myers is more of a bench sitter than a trustworthy starter, and Hunter Renfroe-Franmil Reyes-Manny Margot are hot one week, cold the next one.

The catcher’s are hitting around the Mendoza Line (.200), and the offense at 2nd base sputters (Ian Kinsler) and there has been no recall yet of the next kid coming (Luis Urias).

Oh you can look thru the glass half full theory, that the Padres are only a couple of games out of the last wildcard spot. The cup half-empty will tell you they’d have to go thru four other teams in the final months to get to the last playoff spot.

And you can’t doing that letting the Miami Marlins put double digit runs up on your pitching staff.

Just have to bite the bullet, and work to find solutions, to what could still be my (81-81)…..500-type season.

But Andy Green needs to unlock the enigma of Myers….make the right decision on bullpen roles, and work to get the young pitching staff more experience without getting them scarred in the process.

It’s called learning on the job. Hopefully it won’t mean another last place season.

Progress can be slow. Patience will be necessary.

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