Man, what a game today. Odrisamer Despaigne, who I should remind you is a 27-year old rookie, came within four outs of the Padres first ever no-hitter. Unfortunately, just after history slipped through his hands, so did the lead. Despite throwing a masterful game, Despaigne was stuck with a no decision. We didn't even get to find out what Joaquin Benoit's save music is, since the Padres decided if they weren't going to end baseball's second most frustrating drought, they might as well win in a walkoff.
Despaigne didn't even allow a baserunner until the third inning, when he beaned Ruben Tejada. Because you read that first paragraph, you know it didn't matter. In fact, nothing mattered until the top of the fourth, when Yasmani Grandal battled his way to a full count before taking Mets starter Zack Wheeler deep to put the Padres on top 1-0. That was the only scoring until the top of the eighth. With two outs, Daniel Murphy hit a double up the middle. With the shutout still intact, Bud Black wasn't quite ready to pull Despaigne. His attitude changed when David Wright hit Despaigne's 123rd pitch of the night for an RBI single. Alex Torres came in to wrap up the inning, and got pulled right after he allowed Lucas Duda to hit a single. Keven Quackenbush got the call to strikeout Travis d'Arnaud and keep the Mets from taking the lead.
Benoit's closing song will have to remain secret until the next homestand, but he did pitch a perfect inning to set the Padres up for a walkoff win. Carlos Quentin drew a walk to lead off the ninth. He and his rusty knees were replaced with Cameron Maybin. Alexi Amarista bunted him over to second, and an error by pitcher Vic Black put both men on safely. Chase Headley, who felt like injecting some drama and reminding everyone of the quality of the 2014 Padres offense, grounded into a double play, putting Maybin on third, but with two outs. Terry Collins thought this was a great time to change pitchers. Seth Smith was okay with that, hitting the game-winning single off of Josh Edgin.
After a happy flight to Chicago, Eric Stults will take the mound at Wrigley Field Tuesday evening. First pitch is at 5:05, so leave work early. Tell your boss I said it's okay.
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