San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
SÁNCHEZ CATCHES, CATCHES A BREAK
Gary Sánchez finally rested.
His ninth straight start behind the plate was in the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Phillies. Austin Nola caught the nightcap.
The loss, which completed a sweep by the Phillies, was the first time Nola had even appeared in a game since July 1.
Sánchez’s nine straight starts, albeit interrupted by the All-star break, were the longest regular-season run by a Padres catcher since Nick Hundley finished the 2008 season with 10 straight starts behind the plate.
The only longer stretch by a Padres catcher in the past 15 years was Nola’s 12 straight starts in last year’s postseason.
Now, the question is how much longer Sánchez will be the Padres’ primary catcher.
Luis Campusano is almost certainly going to join the Padres on this trip, which continues after today’s finale here with series in Toronto and Detroit. He is in Triple-a on the final stages of his comeback from April thumb surgery.
Campusano was on the verge of taking over primary catching duties when he tore a ligament in his left thumb. The split between Campusano and Sánchez likely will be merit based.
Sánchez’s home run Friday was his second in 24 games (72 at-bats) after he hit six homers in his first 13 games after being claimed off waivers on May 28.
He is batting .195 with a .705 OPS in his time with the Padres, 15th among the 25 catchers with at least 91 plate appearances in that span.
Nola, who has minor league options, is batting .146 with a .452 OPS after going 1for-4 Saturday night.
Always ready
Relief pitchers — particularly closers — say they always maintain a state of readiness during games no matter what the score is.
Josh Hader demonstrated Friday night that he is telling the truth when he says it.
“I’m always locked in,” he said matter-of-factly. “I don’t shut down.”
Had he “shut down” when the Padres went into the bottom of the ninth inning leading by seven runs on Friday, Hader might have been in trouble when he was called on to pitch with the game suddenly hanging precariously in the balance in a hitters’ park with the top of the Phillies lineup due up.
From a perch seated atop the wooden bench in the Padres bullpen, Hader watched as Luis García yielded a home run on the first pitch of the ninth and then a one-out single and then a fly ball to the warning track that bounced off left fielder Juan Soto’s glove, allowing a second run to score.
“Once that play happened, guy on second, I knew if another guy gets on, we’re close to a save situation,” Hader said. “So it was just making sure I was moving and ready to rock.”
When García walked
Brandon Marsh, Hader got up, grabbed his glove and began throwing.
And when García walked
Kyle Schwarber to load the bases, Bob Melvin walked to the mound and Hader ran in from the bullpen.
He struck out Trea Turner and got fellow All-star Nick Castellanos on a pop-up to shallow right field.
With that, Hader had his 22nd save.
When it had not seemed he would be needed, he was ready.
Machado milestone
Manny Machado ’s seventh home run, in the eighth inning of Saturday’s first game, giving the Padres a short-lived lead, was the 300th of his career.
That is 11th most among active players, and he is the 157th player to ever reach the mark.