Yesterday, the Padres played so badly that owner and chairman Ron Fowler publicly berated them. Today, they destroyed the Mariners in an offensive outburst that kept them in the running for a Vedder Cup tie. Granted, San Diego put that performance up against spot starter James Paxton while Seattle drubbed high-priced starter James Shields. But a beatdown is a beatdown, and that's worth enjoying.
Fans braced for another embarrassment in the top of the first, when Christian Friedrich gave up a three-run bomb to Robinson Cano before recording a single out. But the Friar offense showed up today and put up six runs in the bottom half of the inning.