Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 7, 2015

Spring training baseball at it’s best today at Scottsdale Stadium, as the Padres defeated the defending World Series Champion Giants today 7-6.  It looked like it was going to be a laugher at first as the Pads took an early 5-0 lead, but the bullpen and a costly error in the 8th allowed the Gigantes to climb back in it, but the boys held on.  That means the Padres have now won 2 in a row…win one more and that’s called a winning streak according to Indians manager Lou Brown in Major league…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnVrSZHnvYY

Let’s take a quick look at how Cactus League win number two played out for the fellas.

• James Shields – Made his Padres debut today, and although it was just a brief one inning, the good news was that it was a brief one inning.  So much better than those long innings!  Good to see him out there and pacing himself for what everyone hopes to be an extended season 😉
• Wil Myers – Speaking of firsts, Wil hit his first long ball in his Friar uni today driving the ball opposite field on a line for a solo shot in the 4th.  Hope to see plenty more of that!  No defensive testers in the outfield today…but we do need to see more of that this spring to get him vetted before opening day.
• Rymer Liriano – Speaking of long balls (see what I’m doing here with the transitions?), Rymer hit is first HR of the spring as well. Crushed it over the left center field wall in the 9th, to give the Pads what appeared to be an insurance run at the time, but turned out to be the game winner.
• Will Middlebrooks & Yangervis Solarte – Each had 2 hits today as they duke it out for the starting third base job (so much for my smooth transitions).  Solarte was actually at first today, because he’s versatile like that, but has posted 2 hits and a double in each of first two starts.  Middlebrooks reached base 3 times toady and scored twice, with no noteworthy defensive opportunities today. So that battle for the hot corner position is off to a strong start for both candidates.
• Tommy Medica – En fuego! Another hard hit single today as his 5 early safeties lead the team so far.
• Trea Turner – So the kid that is in camp with the Padres, but really isn’t property of the Padres anymore (he’s the PTBNL in 3-way deal to get Myers…but can’t be traded yet due to MLB rules, so here he incubates), made his Cactus League debut and on his first opportunity made an impressive all out diving play up the middle, snared it, got up quickly, fired to first in time to get the runner….GREAT play!!! Except the umpire appeared to miss the call and ruled the runner safe….oh well.  Still a nice way to show off on the Cactus League stage for the youngster.
• Chris Rearick – The only Pads reliever today to throw a flawless inning today.  Thank you Chris!

Mostly good stuff from the starting lineup hitters and defenders.  Bullpen was less than stellar, but Elbers got the final out he needed to preserve the W.

Tomorrow the Rockies visit Peoria. Ross scheduled to fire for the Friars.  Oh, and Justin Upton, who’s felt sick the past couple of days, is expected to back at workouts tomorrow.  Game time is 1:05 PST and desert time, so don’t forget to set those clocks ahead in San Diego tonight folks!  Uncle Teddy and myself will have the call on The Mighty 1090 AM.  Look forward to having you with us!

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