Jase Bowen was the hero of the game for the San Diego Padres in their series opening game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday night – until he wasn't. Bowen made a catch in shallow left field on a fly ball by Michael Busch with no outs and the bases loaded. After making the catch, Bowen made a one-hop throw to Freddy Fermin at the plate who applied the tag to complete the double-play and keep the score tied at 2-2. Seiya Suzuki followed with a ball into the left-field ivy covered wall that was just beyond the reach of Bowen which allowed Pete Crow-Armstrong to score to hand the Padres a 3-2 walk-off loss.
The irony of the situation was that San Diego manager Craig Stammen called on closer Mason Miller after Jason Adam allowed two runners to reach base in the bottom of the ninth inning. Miller was the best chance for the Padres to get swing-and-miss at-bats and hopefully empty outs from the Cubs. However, each of the Chicago hitters who faced the right-hander was able to put the ball in play.
San Diego had its chances to add to its two-run total, but instead the Padres turned in a 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position effort. The lack of runs scored resulted in a no decision for Griffin Canning who had his best start for San Diego in recent memory completing 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
The Padres will try to even the series with a win against the Cubs today at 5:05 p.m.
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