What You Need to Know: On June 30, 2015, as a member of the Mariners, Mike Montgomery held the Padres to just one hit over nine innings for his second consecutive complete-game shutout. One trade and World Series Ring later, two weeks shy of the second anniversary of the CGSHO, the lefty zeroed the Padres again in his second career start against the Fightin’ Fathers, albeit over only six innings this time around.
Anthony Rizzo’s latest lead-off dinger would have been enough for Monty and Co., who kept the Padres at bay throughout the game. But they ultimately added some insurance runs, thanks to an Addison Russell single in the fourth, an Ian Happ solo home run, and an Albert Almora double in the eighth.
On the other hand, the Baby Bears grounded into three double plays for the second consecutive game, which they did for the first time since July 30-31st, 2014 and the 16th time since 1942.
The Next Level: Did I mention that Rizzo homered to leadoff the game? Yes, he absolutely did. In his seven games leading off the lineup, he has gone 12-for-28 with four long balls and three walks. More importantly, he has reached safely in all seven first-inning plate appearances. Of course, it could be a small sample size, but Rizzo may have found the promised land in the lineup and is on pace to be the greatest lead-off hitter in the history of the game. Yes, he totally is. Rizzo, along with Rickey, Raines, and Ichiro, is a member of the Lead-off Hitter Mount Rushmore already. (This section is entirely satirical, except for the stats I listed).
Top Play (WPA): In the top of the third, the Padres had the tying run at second and go-ahead run at first with one out. Thankfully, Montgomery was able to escape the jam without damage by getting Jose Pirela ground into a double play (+.103).
Bottom Play (WPA): Later in the game, Pirela redeemed himself with a double to lead off the top of the eighth (-.090). But it wasn’t enough for the Padres to crack open a rally.
Lead photo courtesy Matt Marton—USA Today Sports