Josh Bell Goes Deep Again As Padres Split Series

Maybe now it time to ring the bell! This could be the early signs of Josh Bell getting the heavy weight off his shoulders as he has now homered in back-to-back games in big ways that resulted in wins.

Is it somewhat painful seeing a talented Padres team win by just one run against the Nationals who are barely over the 40-win mark? Yes. However, if it is a win, it is a win no matter. Surprisingly, the Nationals pitching staff kept the Padres bats pretty quiet as the pitching side of things is the worst in the majors.

Down 1-0 yet again in this game, Josh Bell came up clutch against Patrick Corbin like he has in the past as well. Corbin, was cruising once he found his niche in the middle innings but a high amount of pitches thrown kept his leash short. Bell was able to hit a bomb into the short, right field porch to put the Friars up 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Much credit goes to the other newcomer Brandon Drury as well as he started the inning off with a lead-off double; his 25th double this season.

Due to a low-scoring affair, we saw a pitchers duel with some spectacular defensive plays including one insane play from Ha-Seong Kim. No surprise there! Kim, playing shortstop, reached all the way into the wall towards left field to make an unbelievable catch. Luckily, Kim was okay after a tough collision with the lowerhalf of the wall and got a standing ovation. Few moments later, and Jurickson Profar threw out Joey Meneses who tried to stretch his single into a double.

Sean Manaea was on the mound and he has struggled lately, but he could have gone all nine if it was not for a save situation. Manaea went seven innings with allowing just one run (Solo home run by Nelson Cruz) and allowed no walks while striking out four.

Robert Suarez, came into the game and earned the hold (A hold occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game in a save situation and maintains his team's lead for the next relief pitcher, while recording at least one out.) Suarez has pitched tremendously since he is found his command.

To close the game you may ask? Well, why not close your eyes and reach in the bag! Despite Hader and his struggles, the Padres do have a variety of options to get those final three outs. Yesterday, we saw Luis Garcia get the job done. Today, we saw a player who has been a great surprise this season in Nick Martinez. 30 games, 10 starts and a few saves shows his versatility. Martinez threw 11 pitches (8 for strikes) as he earned his fifth save and gave the Padres their 68th win this year.

The Padres stay at home to take on the Cleveland Guardians for a two-game set starting Tuesday. Aaron Civale will be taking on former Guardian Mike Clevinger for game one and former Padre Cal Quantrill is scheduled for the finale as the Padres have yet to decide.

A new episode of the podcast will come out Thursday morning regarding this past week as well as the Padres' results against the Guardians. Stay tuned!