Cincinnati — When the Padres activated right-hander Joe Musgrove in time for Tuesday’s series opening in Cincinnati, they managed to keep expectations in check. Due to elbow soreness, he had not pitched in three weeks. Rather than trying things out in a Minor League rehab game, he utilized bullpen sessions to get ready for his first start back.
That being said, it was presumably expected that this one would show some rust. The primary lesson to be learned from Musgrove’s three-inning appearance in the Padres’ 2-0 defeat over the Reds? He felt well and optimistic about the future after this performance. His pitches were crisp and his velocity was steady.
Manager Mike Shildt stated, “It was more about Joe getting on the mound in real competition after three weeks off and getting his feet back under him.” “Next time, he’ll be better.”
The big right-hander, whose season appeared to be taking off until the injury bug got him, has had a disappointing few weeks. His last appearance, at San Diego against the same Reds squad, was strong, going six innings with nine strikeouts. It was his third solid start in four games.
Musgrove’s second outing against the Reds was considerably shorter and less commanding. In the defeat on Tuesday, he gave up two unearned runs in three innings of work; his performance didn’t neatly fit into the “good” or “poor” categories that most Major League starters fall into. This one has a bit more blur.
Although Musgrove’s four-seamer averaged 94.5 mph, precisely matching his season average, his velocity was about where it has usually been. However, the Reds scored runs in the first two innings, increasing Musgrove’s pitch count. After two innings, he had thrown 55 pitches; by the time he left after the third, he had thrown 66.
Musgrove remarked, “I felt like I was pitching to six or seven guys.” “I didn’t do a good job of commanding the top of the zone.” I believed that I was not controlling the top of the zone sufficiently and that I had several players in two-strike counts. I was trying to get up for the chase, but it doesn’t set up properly to go too far up since it’s not that inviting. Simply put, not very effective with pitches.
Only a portion of the Reds’ scores were scored in the second inning, and Musgrove’s command was partially to fault. They also paid for the defense. A mishandled pickoff throw by Musgrove put two runners in scoring position, and the Reds’ first run was the result of a misplayed play at the plate.
Jurickson Profar successfully threw the ball to the plate after catching a fly ball from Jacob Hurtubise. Luis Campusano, the catcher, appeared to tag Jonathan India cleanly, but he lost possession of the ball.
Simply remarked, Campusano “didn’t secure it well enough.” “He was undoubtedly gone, but…”
In the third inning, Musgrove retired the side on 11 pitches to cap off his excellent showing.
According to Shildt, “We knew we wanted to be around 65 pitches.” It was imperative that he return outside. He expressed his desire to return and stated he felt okay. “You’ve got 10 [pitches],” I remarked. “I’ll get it done in nine,” he declared. It was eleven o’clock. He was your average Joe—always eager to compete.
Musgrove remarked, “I felt like I started finding more rhythm later.” If I were a bit more productive, I might be able to extend it to five [innings]. All I had left were pitches.
When the Padres began their series against the struggling Reds—who had lost 15 of their previous 18 games—they were expecting for a different result. The Padres, who have been strong on the road this season with a 15-10 record following Tuesday, were in a solid position to start the series off on a positive note after having recently taken three of four from the always difficult Braves.
However, exhaustion might have played a role. Monday’s doubleheader in Atlanta wrapped out the series, and that evening saw a late flight to Cincinnati. About 1:30 a.m. ET, the team arrived at the hotel.
Although those polled refused to give exhaustion as an explanation, Shildt conceded that it may have had a little impact.
“Am I going to claim that there aren’t times when the human aspect is relevant? There, I would be lying to you,” he added. Nobody desires an excuse for anything. We simply weren’t good enough in the end.
However, the truth is that you play three games in a day. I can attest that tonight’s effort was there. Simply put, we were unable to complete it.
