Mike Shildt, manager of the San Diego Padres, predicted that September would be fantastic for his team.
Shildt could be onto something if San Diego’s 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday serves as any kind of indicator. The squad completed a 4-3 road trip thanks to four scoreless innings from San Diego’s deep bullpen. Still holding one of the three wild card berths in the National League, the team is heading back home.
When the Padres host the visiting Detroit Tigers for a three-game series on Monday, they want to continue their push for a postseason berth.
In addition to winning on Sunday, San Diego (78-61) strengthened its roster with a number of additions. Elias Diaz, the 2023 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, was called up by the Padres from Triple-A El Paso. He could play catcher alongside Kyle Higashioka, which could limit Luis Campusano’s playing time.
After an injury-plagued season, Diaz finished with a.270 average and five home runs before being released by the Colorado Rockies last month.
He remarked, “I have a lot of experience.” “I am certain I can catch. What I can do, I know. I’m sure I can be of assistance.”
Yu Darvish, who started on Opening Day, should be back soon, while All-Star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. should be activated off the injured list. Due to an elbow injury and subsequently a personal situation, Darvish has not been available since May 29. Tatis’s right leg stress response has kept him out of play since June 21.
Joe Musgrove (4-4, 4.44 ERA) is the pitcher the Padres will start on Monday. In his final outing on Wednesday night, he allowed seven hits and three runs in six innings in a no-decision defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-3. He is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in his three career appearances (two starts) against Detroit.
The Tigers (70-68) have made a late push for the last wild card place in the American League. With 24 games remaining, they are only five games behind the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins after their 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday marked their 15th win in 20 games.
With the bullpen taking care of the entire game, Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene each launched two-run home runs, while the Red Sox were only able to muster six singles.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Torkelson declared. It’s evident that winning is enjoyable, so that helps a little. We anticipated coming up with several strategies to prevail, and we succeeded in doing so. We got some critical hits because our pitching staff was able to shut them down with incredible skill. That’s the main focus.”
Veteran right-hander Kenta Maeda, who pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief on Wednesday and earned the win in a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, is a possible starting pitcher for Detroit in the series opener. He went to the mound with opener Mason Englert.
The Tigers’ recent success has been largely attributed to pitching. They lead by AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal, and since August 3, they have only allowed more than four runs in a game twice.
Red Sox defeated by Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene home runs.
The Detroit Tigers, who are on a roll, defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Sunday afternoon thanks to two-run home runs from Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. In extended relief, Brant Hurter (3-1) secured the victory. Hurter pitched five innings, giving up five hits and one run while striking out five. Jason Foley recorded his 20th save by getting the final three outs. Eight of the Tigers’ past ten games have ended in victories, including two of the three games they played the Red Sox in the weekend series (70-68).
Boston’s lone run was scored by Jarren Duran (70–67). Cooper Criswell, the Red Sox starter, struck out five batters while retiring all 12 opponents he faced. After recording four outs, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch turned to his bullpen. In the second, Connor Wong and Triston Casas got one-out walks. Hurter took Brieske’s place at that point. To close the inning, he got Willy Abreu to hit a double play ball. In the fourth, Rafael Devers singled with two outs, but Casas then struck out.
Hurter struck out the first two batters, then in the fifth, Romy Gonzalez and Nick Sogard slammed two-out singles. The game’s first run was scored when Duran smashed a 2-2 offering to left field for an RBI single.
In the fifth inning, Kerry Carpenter walked against Rich Hill (0-1) to become the Tigers’ first baserunner. After one out, Torkelson gave his club a 2-1 lead by smashing a Hill curveball over the left field wall. It was Torkelson’s eighth home run of the season.
Greene sent a cutter over the right field wall to make it 4-1 after Parker Meadows singled to start the sixth inning against Zack Kelly. It was Greene’s 20th long ball of the season.
In the sixth, Hurter gave up an infield single to Gonzalez with one out. Hurter was replaced by Will Vest, who earned the next two outs. To start the ninth, Foley struck out Casas on three pitches. To conclude the game, Danny Jansen flied out and Wong grounded out.
