Padres lose 3-2 to Reds on June 29 after a Robert Suarez blown save, despite a hot bat from Xander Bogaerts. Can they rebound vs. Wheeler and the Phillies?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
That one stings. There's no other way to put it. After being just three outs away from a series victory in Cincinnati, the Padres were dealt a gut-punch loss on Sunday thanks to a rare implosion from closer Robert Suarez. The 3-2 defeat snapped an eight-game save streak for Suarez and soured an otherwise brilliant day from Xander Bogaerts. Now, with no time to dwell, the Friars head to Philadelphia for a daunting series opener against ace Zack Wheeler and the powerhouse Phillies.
Prior to Sunday's loss, the Padres had been a staggering 37-2 when leading after eight innings this season.
It was a script Padres fans have come to trust: hand the ball to Robert Suarez with a lead. But on Sunday, the usually automatic closer faltered, allowing two runs on four hits to turn a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 loss against the Reds. It was a shocking turn of events that ended his streak of eight consecutive converted saves and dropped the team's incredible record when leading after eight to 37-3. The lone bright spot was a resurgent Xander Bogaerts, who looked locked in, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two doubles. His performance was a positive takeaway from an otherwise forgettable afternoon.
The schedule makers did the Padres no favors. Tonight, they open a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park against the best team in the National League East. The pitching matchup is formidable, with knuckleballer Matt Waldron and his team-leading 3.36 ERA tasked with outdueling Phillies ace Zack Wheeler (7-3, 2.45 ERA). For the Padres to steal a win, the offense will need to be clicking. Manny Machado (.293 BA), Fernando Tatis Jr. (15 HR), and RBI leader Gavin Sheets (49) will need to solve one of the league's best pitchers to get the road trip started on the right foot.
While the big-league club deals with the sting of Sunday's loss, the front office remained quiet on Monday, with no new roster moves or transactions announced. That stability is a good sign, but the real excitement came from the farm system over the weekend. Top prospect Leo De Vries, the future of the franchise, delivered a thrilling walk-off single for the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps on Saturday night. It’s a great reminder that while the present has its ups and downs, the future in San Diego remains incredibly bright.
This series against the Phillies is more than just another set of games; it's a litmus test. How will the Padres respond after a demoralizing loss? Can they prove they belong in the conversation with the National League's elite? A strong showing in Philadelphia would wash away the bad taste of Sunday's defeat and set a positive tone for the rest of this crucial road trip. All eyes will be on Citizens Bank Park tonight.
