Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 8, 2015

So much for the winning “streak” being extended today as the Padres fell to the Rockies 7-5.  However, there are still plenty of positive things to talk about.

• Yonder Alonso – Went 3 for 3 today, with two doubles, and 3 RBI hitting in the 6th spot in the lineup.  It was a little bit of everything as he did it as well.  The first extra base hit pulled against LH pitcher, the second pulled against a right hander with pretty dang good stuff, and the final hit a lined single opposite field against breaking ball lefty.  Solid day at the plate for a player that appears to have come in to camp with something to prove.
• Ramiro Pena – When Yonder finished his hammering of the Rocks pitching Pena took his place in the 6th spot and continued the harassment with two more singles of his own.  Together with Yo, the Padres #6 spot went 5 for 5 with 2 doubles, and 3 steaks.
• Carlos Quentin – Carlos has said himself that he understands that it is in the team’s and his own best interest to move him to an A.L. team, and is open to a trade. The main thing any acquiring team will want to know is “Can he still hit?”.  He showed today that he still has the it tool by singling sharply twice, and additionally covered left field without a hitch. He keeps doing that and the phone will be ringing.
• Tommy Medica – Did I drop an “En Fuego!” on Tommy in yesterday’s report? Well guess what?  He’s still En Fuego! Another hard hit ball, this time a double over the center fielder’s head.  His 6 hits lead the club.
• Dale Thayer & Joaquin Benoit – Two dependable arms in the bullpen that already look ready for opening day. Each threw a scoreless inning today, with 1 & 2 strikeouts respectively.
• Clint Barmes – After frankly a shaky first game with some uncharacteristic defensive lapses, the former Rocky shined today against his old club making two excellent diving plays to his left, and one rangy play to the back hand. Now that’s the defense we’re accustomed to seeing out of the veteran!

So, you take the good from the day, and evaluate the less than perfect to see if there is something that needs to be done collectively or individually to tighten things up moving forward.

Tomorrow Cashner will go to the hill for the second time this spring.  He’ll face the Cubs in Mesa at 1:05. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward an our tonight.  Uncle Teddy and I will be webcasting the action on Padres.com. Hope you can join us as we march on towards opening day!

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