SAN DIEGO — The surge is coming. It really is.
However, Padres manager Bud Black can understand how some San Diego fans are frustrated.
While the Padres are hovering around .500 of late, Black said the team is still seeking consistency after thumping the Washington Nationals 8-3 Thursday night.
“I think the thing for us is we haven’t been getting the starting pitching,” he said. “We haven’t gotten on a roll, and that goes for the bullpen also.”
He also noted how the offense has been up and down. At one point on the recent road trip, the Padres, who lead the league in runs scored, were shut out in three of four games.
Even so, it is what lies ahead that will tell the Padres’ story.
Their upcoming games are against solid competition. After the four-game series with the Nationals, the Chicago Cubs visit for the three games, then it is another three in Los Angeles against the National League West-leading Dodgers.
The next three outings could be particularly challenging. The Padres face Washington right-handers Jordan Zimmermann, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg.
“We’ll get rolling,” Black said. “Where we are, and we’re not rolling, it’s OK.”