Padres News: Josh Hader's Failures Defined Sunday Night Loss

All it takes is one bad outing to lose it all.

Up until Sunday night, Josh Hader had proven to be one of the most elite closers in the game. That label has not been stripped of him, especially considering he just received an award for it last month, but the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to get the best of him in the ninth inning and tie up the score to extend the game.

One decision by Hader to throw a fifth fastball allowed Mookie Betts to take him deep and rather than the Friars heading home with a 1-2 victory and boasting the series win, they went to the 10th inning instead where Brett Honeywell gave up three more runs to lose.

Mookie Betts takes Josh Hader deep to tie the game in the 9th inning!!! pic.twitter.com/wISUT7iIWz

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 8, 2023

There's an argument for both sides in that some fans were upset that the game even got to that point and that the batters for the Padres once again could not muster up a decent amount of runs. Others are arguing that that's what a closer is for, to take care of business in the ninth should the game come to that.

Nonetheless, Hader came face-to-face with one of the best hitters in the league and trusted his craft to take him down despite falling behind in the count.

"You fall behind to a really good hitter like that," said Hader. "You don't give yourself much room for error. At the end of the day, you can't fall behind."

(Via MLB.com)

Josh Hader has been EXCELLENT for the Padres this season:

⚾️ 10 saves (leads MLB) in 10 chances
⚾️ 0.69 ERA in 13 IP

Going back to last year, Hader has allowed just 1 earned run in his last 27.2 IP.

👀 That's a 0.33 ERA in his last 28 appearances since September 7, 2022. pic.twitter.com/xyr4v7mTQe

— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) May 1, 2023

Despite this slip-up, Josh Hader is still posting a 1.13 ERA on the season and has 11 saves. He will get another possible shot at redemption against the Dodgers this weekend so we know he'll come with a chip on his shoulder.

Team manager Bob Melvin also shed some light on the 29-year-old LHP and expressed his belief in him following the loss.

"it's going to happen sometimes," said Melvin. "Hader's been absolutely fantastic, he had one more out to get, and Mookie Betts is a tough customer."

(Via MLB.com)

Your Friars are back in action Monday at Minnesota Twins at 4:40 pm PT.