Casey Mize continued to struggle in his short tenure with the San Diego Padres. The most recent example came in a 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of their three-game series, which also wrapped up a dismal 1-5 road trip. Mize was on the mound for San Diego in the rubber game against Cincinnati, looking to help his new team win the series, which would have sent them into an off day on Thursday before opening a series at home against the New York Yankees on Friday on a positive note.
Mize, who was throwing to Ethan Salas who was making his MLB debut, was given an early two-run lead when Ty France connected on a two-run home run that just made it over the left field fence to put the Padres ahead 2-0 in the first inning. San Diego added to that lead with another run in the top of the second inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. singled to score Austin Hays from second base. Mize entered the bottom of the second inning with a 3-0 lead and it looked like a promising day for a Padres team that is fighting with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final playoff spot in the National League.
The feeling of hope for a positive result was short lived thanks to Reds second baseman Juan Brito. He connected on a three-run home run to tie the game with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the second inning and seemed to take all momentum away from San Diego. Cincinnati added a second home run in the inning in the form of a solo shot by Hector Rodriguez. Mize watched his 3-0 lead become a 4-3 deficit over the span of six batters.
Mize navigated two more innings without allowing any additional runs but was replaced in the bottom of the fifth inning by Wandy Peralta. The Padres kept the Reds off the board until the bottom of the sixth inning when David Morgan allowed a bases loaded sacrifice fly to Matt McLain which put Cincinnati up, 5-3. The final gut punch came in the bottom of the seventh inning when recently added reliver Jhony Brito allowed a two-out, two-run home run to JJ Bleday which put the game away by the final of 7-3.
The Padres struggled once again with runners in scoring position. They finished the day 1-for-7 and failed to execute a bunt attempt, which resulted in a popout. Both facts are disturbing trends that have contributed to the poor performance of the Friars over the last handful of series. San Diego got two-hit games from Tatis, France and Xander Bogaerts, but Austin Hays was the only other batter to record a hit in the game for the Padres. Salas finished his debut 0-for-4 at the plate.
Mize has appeared in six games for the Padres and has amassed a record of 1-3 with a ghastly 6.67 ERA. Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta were both progressing in their rehab assignments before Musgrove was delayed with some arm soreness. Mize may have a limited number of opportunities with the San Diego going forward if one or both return in the near future. Considering what the Friars gave up to trade for Mize, he may remain on the roster, but could find himself as the new Griffin Canning, pitching out of the bullpen when Musgrove and/or Pivetta return.
San Diego will have an off day today and will resume play against the Yankees at Petco Park starting Friday at 6:40 p.m.
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