Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 25, 2014

Xavier Nady had a 1B and 2B today, strengthening his charge to break with the team.

It’s time to go home, back to San Diego.  How do you know for sure spring is winding down and opening day is around the corner?  You have not a single everyday MLB player in the game by the 7th inning.  They’ve all played their full 9 inning games over the previous few days, and after a long spring of building up to that point of stamina, it’s now time to back off, recharge, and hone in on opening night, just 4 days away.

So what was accomplished in tonight’s 5-5 tie between the Pads and Cubs? Just enough.

• Andrew Cashner pitched his final 3 tune up innings before his opening night start against the Dodgers, and looked fine, rebounding nicely from his last outing which did not go well.
• Seth Smith got another couple of hits, continuing his late spring surge.
• Xavier Nady drove a 1B and 2B both opposite field to continue his strong bid to make the team.  Keep in mind a 40-man roster spot was potentially opened up for him when the Padres sent Patrcik Schuster through waivers.
• Rene Rivera hit a double and drove in 2 runs making the decision being weighed heavily to carry 3 catchers easier to justify.
• Alex Torres threw his best inning of the spring striking out 3, to piggy back his previous scoreless outing.  It was the first time he had put together two consecutive good outings this spring, and looked very sharp tonight with his change up.
• Donn Roach threw 2 scoreless further solidifying his hold on the final bullpen spot.
• Joaquin Benoit threw an overpowering scoreless inning.  Wait…he’s been doing that literally all spring! Carry it into the season big man!

There were also a couple of minor league moves today in camp as well.  Adam Moore was acquired from the Royals in exchange for a PTBNL or cash considerations to catch in AAA.  Also Jeff Francouer was signed to a minor league contract for organizational depth.

The last game in AZ is tomorrow, agains the Royals in Peoria, and in keeping with baseball tradition the 3 pitch rule had better be in effect for the last spring game (put the ball in play within 3 pitches or your fined in kangaroo court!).  Ted Leitner and I will be calling the game on the Padres.com website.  Then it’s on the road to San Diego, and closer to opening night…YES!!!

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