The San Diego Padres secured a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon at Petco Park, extending their winning streak to five games.
The win improved their record to 55-53, placing them 1.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies for the final National League Wild Card spots.
San Diego used an unconventional pitching plan, with starter Kyle Hart logging 2 2/3 scoreless innings before bulk reliever Griffin Canning tossed three additional scoreless frames.
Manager Craig Stammen stuck with the planned bullpen strategy despite the effectiveness of his initial pitchers, who combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
"But when you have it planned out the way we have planned it out -- and spent time doing it -- we feel much better about sticking to the plan," said Stammen.
Canning returned to the mound following his outing and noted the collective effort behind the team's midsummer momentum.
"We've won five in a row," said Canning. "I think we're all on board to contribute and help the team in any way we can."
Canning's Key Play and Recovery
Canning also detailed how he caught Cole Carrigg off first base in the sixth inning after recognizing the opponent's previous running habits.
"I saw him steal, first pitch, against Michael (King) yesterday, so I was kind of thinking he might be going," said Canning.
He further described the physical improvements he has experienced roughly a year following his June Achilles surgery. "I've felt good all year," said Canning.
"Maybe there were some things that were a little different.
I do feel like when I hit that year mark, like, the end of June — they always say, once you get to a year, you'll start feeling a little bit better — I did kind of feel that, once I got there.
I think I created some bad habits in my delivery that I was working on, at the beginning of the year.
But these last five, six outings, I feel pretty good."
Bullpen Boost and Trade Deadline Outlook
Reliever Jeremiah Estrada returned from the injured list following a two-month absence due to right knee inflammation, striking out three batters in the eighth inning to set up closer Mason Miller.
Miller earned his 28th save with a perfect ninth inning.
"The last two months of the year, this is when good teams separate themselves from the teams hanging around," said Miller.
He highlighted how Estrada's return reduces the heavy workload previously placed on high-leverage relievers during the recent stretch of games.
"We trust all our guys," said Miller. "But that's somebody that we've thrown in high leverage a lot.
Maybe that allows somebody -- especially like Morejon -- to manage the workload a little bit more. Maybe that allows him to be better as we get down the stretch."
Miller expanded on the tactical flexibility created by adding another reliable arm late in games. "[Morejon] is already really, really good," said Miller.
"But he's pitched a lot for us.
So being able to give him a day today and have Jeremiah for the eighth -- it was huge."
Addressing the team's unconventional strategy of utilizing multiple bulk relievers, Miller emphasized that using players in short, focused roles maximizes their effectiveness.
"It's not a traditional setup by any means," said Miller, "but whether we've thrown the ball well or not over the course of the season, we do have a lot of guys that possess a lot of skills.
So, putting them into situations that maybe don't allow them to think as much and just rely on their abilities has been really good lately."
Miller noted that while bullpen games cannot be run daily, utilizing tandem pitchers helps cover the majority of innings efficiently.
"You can't run a bullpen game every single day," said Miller.
"But, if you have two guys that are covering 60, 70% of the game, that makes it a little more doable."
He concluded by outlining the team's immediate focus heading into the final days before the trade deadline. "I don't think we live in terms of relief," said Miller.
"It's like we're focused on today, and we've got tomorrow and the rest of the week.
It's fruitless to sit here and worry about much of anything besides today. For yourself and for your team."
Infielder Jake Cronenworth credited the recent string of victories as reflective of the roster's true capability during this stretch run.
"How we're playing right now, I think, is the true identity of this club," said Cronenworth.
Cronenworth also expressed confidence in president of baseball operations A. J.
Preller as management evaluates potential trade acquisitions. "I mean, I'd hope so," said Cronenworth.
"How we're playing right now, I think, is the true identity of this club. Obviously, A.
J.' s — I'm sure he's doing what A.
J. usually does and on the phone 24/7.
But we've just got to keep continuing to play really good baseball."
Third baseman Manny Machado addressed reporters regarding the squad's midseason turnaround following a 5-5 road trip and a three-game sweep of Miami.
"I think there's a lot of good players right now that are doing their job, and we're kind of rolling as a group," said Machado.
"I think all of you guys — not fans, for you guys watching; reporters in front of me — I don't think you guys saw us doing this or getting here, but here we are.
I think we're going to finish off strong as a group."
Machado commented on the media coverage surrounding the roster during their earlier struggles.
"Yeah, I mean, you guys love writing negative about us all year, so hopefully just some positives start coming out," said Machado.
The Padres have scouted external rotation targets including Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman and New York Mets starter Freddy Peralta as they evaluate potential trade additions.
San Diego will next host the San Francisco Giants for a four-game series at Petco Park before traveling to face Arizona.
