Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 11, 2014

Tommy Medica did NOT get a hit today…but the Padres still won!  In his only plate appearance he did hit a missile right at the shortstop, but even without his help the Padres found a way to overcome an early 5-run deficit and take down the Oakland Athletics 6-5.

Ian Kennedy started the ball game and really did not look sharp, especially with his fastball.  The first three batters went 2B, 2B, HR, to post a 3-0 Athletic lead on what appeared to be all fastballs up and out over the plate. He allowed another run to cross in the 2nd on two more hard hit balls, before settling down a little and retiring 7 of the next 9.  At that point he was using CB’s to keep the batters a little off balance, but he never did appear to find any way to get movement on or locate the #1 today.  At least he was able to get some good work on his off sped toady to stay in the game.

Robbie Erlin followed and also did not look all that sharp in his first inning allowing a run on 2 hits, but tightened things up for his second inning posting a clean “0”.

Meanwhile once Sonny Gray, who was surgical with his FB and CB command,  left the game the Pads had chance to start chipping away at the 5-o deficit. They pushed an unearned run across in the 5th, and an earned one in the 6th to pull within 2.  Then the 7th inning the wheels fell off for the men in green. Philip Humber (yes, he of the prefect game in 2012), had no clue where the ball was going today, and the Pads capitalized.  Yonder Alonso started it off with a 2B, then Hundley was HBP. With two men on local Poway kid Alex Dickerson showed why the Pads traded for him, and crushed a first pitch FB well over the fence in right-center field for a 3-run jimmy jack to tie it at 5-5.  Ryan Jackson (yes, it does seem like you see his name in this report every day, because he is doing something to help the team win every day)  then walked an stole second.  He reached 3rd on a Corey Spangenberg infield single, and scored the go ahead and deciding run on Rico Noel’s fielders choice ground out. Jackson did a good job of reading the play as it was a hot shot to the first baseman who looked Jacks back, but as soon as he turned to start the potential double play at second, Ryan took off for home and scored what would be the game winner.

Keyvius Sampson followed Erlin and although allowed a couple of base runners his second inning did not allow any runs to cross in is two frames.  Blaine Boyer then cam on and for the 5th time this spring shut the opposition down.  Game, set, match…come from behind W for the Friars.

Another nice job for the pitching after the first two innings, and lean effort by the defense recording another errorless game. Alexi Amarista, by the way, has made several well above average plays at third base the last few games, including today when he ranged way to his left, dove, and quickly got up to fire a strike to first. He’s shown the quickness, foot work, and to some people’s surprise enough arm from the far side of the diamond.

News in camp today was pretty quiet.  Eric Stults threw a bullpen today and reportedly worked on some balance issues in his delivery with Darren Balsley.  And that was it.  A “no news is good news” kind of day.

Tomorrow the Padres will get heir first look at Cubs’ Park, their new spring complex. Tyson Ross goes against Cory Kluber.  First pitch is at 1:05 PST, and Ted Leitner and I will have the call on the Padres.com Webcast.   Hope you’ll join us.

God night everybody,

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