Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 9, 2015

The showdown between the two off season upstarts went to the Padres as they defeated the Cubs 6-3.  It was a combination of some aggressive power pitching, and timely power hitting that put the Friars on top early and they never looked back.

Here were some of the highlights:

• Andrew Cashner – The former Cub came out firing against his old club. He was rushing it up there and hitting spots at the knees. There was honestly little need to use any off speed, but he mixed in at least a couple of good changeups and sliders as he worked 3 scoreless innings, without allowing a hit, walking 1 while punching out 3. Cash was money.  All was good, until he was spotted walking towards the clubhouse after his outing with Buddy Black by his side – definitely not the norm. At first the thought was that maybe something physically had happened to him, but after Buddy did not return for several innings it seemed as though something non baseball related might be going on.  It was revealed after the game that indeed Cash had been informed of a personal matter back in Texas, and that he had left the facility immediately. Whatever it is, our thoughts are with him.
• Will Middlebrooks – After Cash set the early tone of power on the mound, it was Middlebrooks who followed it up at the plate with a 3-run blast in the second inning that capitalized on two Cubs’ errors. It was one of those shots that is hit so hard and leaves the park so fast that the defense doesn’t even bother to move.  He looked smooth on one play that came his way down the line showing graceful movement and a live arm that zipped it across the infield with almost no effort.
• Yonder Alonso – After a 3 hit game in his last start, and in keeping with the theme of the day he showed off his power hitting a towering solo HR to dead center field in the 5th. Yo also made a nice play on a tough short hop scoop way in front of him. He’s had no less than 4 short hop throws to dig out this spring so far and he’s handled them all adroitly. Good spring so far for Yonder.
• Jedd Gyorko – Two doubles today lined two different ways.  The first was on off speed pitch that he was able to keep his hands back on and lined it into right field.  The next at bat they tried to come hard in and he said “Get that $%&# out of here!”, turned on it and lined it into left. Nice day at the dish for Jedd.
• Abraham Almonte – Two hits today…very nice!  Some shaky defense in right field on a  couple of plays…not so nice.  It’s a work in progress, but he has some high end tools worth honing.
• Justin Upton – Good to see him back on the field after feeling sick for a couple of days, and he showed the fast hands are getting ready for opening day ripping a double into left.
• Chris Rearick, Kevin Quackenbush, Nick Vincent, Jose Valverde – All posted scoreless innings out of the ‘pen.  Third time for Rearick this spring of just getting the job done.  Second strong outing for Valverde who’s not in camp looking to be just a AAA insurance policy, and has looked sharp especially that nasty splitty.

Other news out of camp included Federowicz getting an MRI on his right knee that he injured yesterday, and learning that he has a lateral meniscus tear that could require surgery. First significant injury of the spring.  The injury free start for the Friars has ended, and the competition for the back up catching job will now heat up.

Tomorrow it’s the Giants turn to visit Peoria. Game time 1:05 with Kennedy going against Petit. Ted Leitner and I will look forward to you joining us on the webcast on Padres. com.

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