The Padres return to San Diego facing elimination Tuesday night after a pair of playoff losses on the road. It’s not the first time.
Craig Stammen’s team will hope to relive the comeback the Friars pulled off in 1984, when they won three straight after losing twice in Chicago. The turnaround is best remembered for Steve Garvey’s walk-off home run in Game 4.
Fast forward 42 years and the Padres will try to become the 11th team to go from an 0-2 hole to a best-of-five series win.
“It’s been done before,” Manny Machado told reporters Monday afternoon. “It’s sports so anything is possible in this game, you just gotta go out and leave it on the field, compete. I think this group has been doing it all year and we’re gonna continue to do it.”
The Padres are in this position for a variety of reasons. Ty France getting robbed of a possible go-ahead home run when the ball struck the roof in Milwaukee was their most glaring bit of misfortune. Star relievers Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller both surrendered leads in the late innings.
Stammen’s lineup had opportunities to take some of the pressure off his high leverage arms. The Padres struck first, scoring early in both games. However they went just 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position and left 20 baserunners stranded.
“They got the big hit when it counted,” Machado said. “We haven’t been able to get that big hit.”
“It bodes well for the rest of the series, we’re getting a lot of guys on base,” Stammen added. “Eventually we’re gonna punch through. We have too many good hitters that that’s not gonna happen.”
Those hitters will be tested by a pitcher who has thrived against San Diego. Former Dodger Dustin May faced the Padres three times, getting through 22 innings while allowing just three earned runs. Padres hitters put up a batting average of .111 against May.
Nick Pivetta will take the mound for the Padres. In Game 2 against the Cubs Pivetta went 3.1 innings, allowing one earned run with four strikeouts. In 22 innings since his return from an elbow injury the righty has allowed just four earned runs over 22 frames.
“I’m never gonna shy away from the moment or shy away from what’s at stake,” Pivetta said. “Like I said I’m just grateful to be in these moments and be able to pitch in these moments and try to help us accomplish our goal.”
The Padres swept the Brewers at Petco Park in August. If they can sweep the two games in San Diego they will force a series-deciding Game 5 Friday in Milwaukee.