Padre's Take Game 1 of ALDS Thanks to Win by Musgrove, Early Home Runs

San Diego defeats Texas, 5-2, in ALDS opener

By Juan Toribio

October 12, 2023

The San Diego Padres took the first game of their ALDS series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, riding a strong start from Joe Musgrove and a pair of early home runs to a 5-2 victory.

Musgrove was masterful, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings. He struck out nine batters and walked just one.

"Joe was outstanding," said Padres manager Bob Melvin. "He set the tone for the game and gave us a chance to win."

The Padres got on the board early, as Trent Grisham led off the game with a home run off Rangers starter Martin Perez. Ha-seong Kim added another solo shot in the second inning.

The Rangers got one back in the third inning on a Nathaniel Lowe RBI single, but the Padres extended their lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Austin Nola.

Manny Machado added an insurance run in the sixth inning with a solo home run.

The Rangers threatened in the seventh inning, loading the bases with one out, but Tim Hill came out of the bullpen to strike out Adolis Garcia and Corey Seager. Hill then got Brad Miller to ground out to end the inning.

Taylor Rogers pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Nick Martinez closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning.

"It was a great team win," said Musgrove. "We got some big hits, played good defense, and pitched well. It's a good way to start the series."

The Padres and Rangers will play Game 2 of the ALDS on Wednesday night in San Diego.

Padre's Player Stats

| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Grisham | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ha-seong Kim | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Austin Nola | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Manny Machado | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Eric Hosmer | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon Drury | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jake Cronenworth | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| José Azocar | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |

Texas Rangers Player Stats

| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adolis Garcia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Corey Seager | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Brad Miller | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Nathaniel Lowe | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jonah Heim | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Kole Calhoun | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bubba Thompson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ezequiel Duran | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |

Key Matchups

Joe Musgrove vs. Martín Pérez

Musgrove was dominant in his start, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings. He struck out nine batters and walked just one.

Pérez was not as sharp, allowing four runs on seven hits over four innings. He struck out three batters and walked two.

Trent Grisham vs. Adolis Garcia

Grisham led off the game with a home run, and he finished the day 1-for-4 with a walk.

Garcia went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Nathaniel Lowe vs. Manny Machado

Lowe had the Rangers' only RBI, but he also struck out twice.

Machado went 1-for-4 with a solo home run.

Tips and Tricks

• Use your fastball to get ahead in the count.
• Change speeds to keep hitters off balance.
• Work the corners of the plate.
• Don't be afraid to throw inside.
• Keep the ball down in the zone.

How to Step-by-Step

How to throw a fastball

1. Grip the ball with your middle and index fingers across the seams.
2. Place your thumb on the bottom of the ball.
3. Bring your arm back and swing it forward.
4. Release the ball at the top of your swing.
5. Follow through with your arm.

How to throw a changeup

1. Grip the ball with your middle and index fingers behind the seams.
2. Place your thumb on the side of the ball.
3. Bring your arm back and swing it forward.
4. Release the ball at the top of your swing.
5. Follow through with your arm.

How to throw a curveball

1. Grip the ball with your middle and index fingers on the side of the ball.
2. Place your thumb on the top of the ball.
3. Bring your arm back and swing it forward.
4. Release the ball at the top of your swing.
5. Roll your wrist over as you release the ball.
6. Follow through with your arm.

FAQs

Q: What is the best way to grip a baseball?

A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best grip for you will vary depending on your hand size and pitching style. However, some general tips include:

• Grip the ball with your middle and index fingers across the seams.
• Place your thumb on the bottom of the ball.
• Make sure your grip is firm, but not too tight.
• Keep your wrist relaxed.

Q: How do I throw a fastball?

A: To throw a fastball, grip the ball with your middle and index fingers across the seams, and place your thumb on the bottom of the ball. Bring your arm back and swing it forward, releasing the ball at the top of your swing. Follow through with your arm.

Q: How do I throw a changeup?

A: To throw a changeup, grip the ball with your middle and index fingers behind the seams, and place your thumb on the side of the ball. Bring your arm back and swing it forward, releasing the ball at the top of your swing. Follow through with your arm.

Q: How do I throw a curveball?

A: To throw a curveball, grip the ball with your middle and index fingers on the side of the ball, and place your thumb on the top of the ball. Bring your arm back and swing it forward, releasing the ball at the top of your swing. Roll your wrist over as you release the ball, and follow through with your arm.

Call to Action

Now that you have learned the basics of pitching, it's time to practice. Find a friend or family member to practice with, and start experimenting with different grips and pitches. The more you practice, the better you will become at pitching a baseball.