Padres News: SD Isn't Playing Strictly Hero Ball Now & Bob Melvin Loves It

The little plays matter too!

The San Diego Padres have been on a much better stretch as of late and even though they still have a ways to go to reach their contending aspirations, they must take it week by week. Slowly but surely, they are making their way back up the charts when it comes to the MLB's major hitting stats and making some nice strides.

They are now in the midst of a huge series against the Chicago Cubs and a win would do wonders for them. Even though Manny Machado hasn't been fully acclimated back into his starting role just yet due to his hairline fracture, other players continue to step up and the starting pitchers have been taking care of business.

However, with a squad that has initially struggled this season like the Padres, it all starts with the little details. RHP Joe Musgrove believes that the squad started off the year trying to make too big many plays and hit every pitch out of the park.

Tatis clears 'em all 🔥 @Padres pic.twitter.com/8TNZgb4A4z

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 1, 2023

A big reason that the Friars were able to have a successful road trip against the Miami Marlins was because they finally have been able to bring their runners on base home. Team manager Bob Melvin echoed off of Musgrove's thoughts on how the batters need to get back to the basics and loves that they haven't been just going for the highlight plays.

"It's not the sexiest thing in the world, but one of the biggest at-bats of the game was Bogaerts when he moves guys over to second and third," Melvin said of the grounder that got Fernando Tatis Jr. in position to score on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Dixon. "All of a sudden, we don't have to hit a ball hard. All we've got to do is really touch it. Get the infield in, and it ended up kind of snowballing for us. … And then we get some guys on base and we're moving guys, moving them over. We're getting them in. We're not trying to hit homers. We're just trying to move the line and put together good at-bats and make (the pitcher) work."

(Via The San Diego-Union Tribune)

CLEAR 'EM, TATI 🧹 #BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/v0NgC4LLS8

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 1, 2023

Let's hope this energy continues this weekend!