Padres News: Xander Bogaerts Opens Up About Phillies Series Sweep
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The San Diego Padres’ aspirations for a winning record were dashed as the Philadelphia Phillies completed a sweep with an 8-6 victory on Sunday. Despite the Padres’ valiant effort in the series finale, the Phillies’ offensive onslaught proved too much to handle.
The Phillies’ batting lineup displayed a formidable show of power throughout the series, leaving the Padres’ pitching staff grappling for answers. Starters Joe Musgrove, Dylan Cease, and Michael King each surrendered a minimum of five earned runs.
The Phillies’ nine home runs in the series were a clear testament to their dominance, with the trio of homers in Sunday’s game driving in six of their eight total runs.
Xander Bogaerts of the Padres encapsulated the team’s frustration, stating, “It’s tough when you got a team like that and they come in here and they’re hitting everything — and hitting it over the wall,” as reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Bogaerts highlighted the inability to combat the Phillies’ aerial attack, with no defensive measures available “over the wall.”
Missed Opportunities and the Road Ahead
The underperformance in the first two games of the series was a missed opportunity for the Padres, who entered with an even 14-14 record. The sweep has now set them back to 14-17, intensifying the pressure to bounce back swiftly.
Looking forward, the Padres face the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game series at home starting Monday. This presents a chance for redemption, but the team’s vulnerability to the long ball, especially at Petco Park, could further jeopardize their standing as May approaches.
The Padres’ ability to recover from this setback will be crucial in setting the tone for the remainder of their season.