Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 16, 2015

Thumpadelic!  That’s what today’s 7-0 beating of the Cubs was today. The Friars belted 2 more HR’s to give the 15 for the spring, 3rd most of any N.L. team so far, and in fewer games than the Cubs and Dodgers who are in front of them.

Here were some of the standouts for the day:

• Matt Kemp – Getting tired of seeing his name on this list? Thought not. Hitting a HR would have put him here under any circumstances, but when you hit it so far over the left field fence that it clears the dining tents that extend another 4o’ beyond the field of play, you get some extra love. It may have been the farthest ball I’ve ever seen hit out of left field at Peoria Sports Complex. It was absolutely mashed…and off Jon Lester who tried to sneak one by him.  He also had a run scoring single to go along with his HR and is now hitting .474 with 2 HR, and 7 RBI. I’d say he’s raring to go, wouldn’t you?
• Tommy Medica – He also hit a HR today, along with a single.  His round tripper wasn’t as far as Kemp’s, but more of the towering type. He’s hitting .556 by the way. I think any concerns about his being HBP in the head last year are behind him.
• Yangervis Solarte – Two more hits today to get his average to .360.  Also playing well defensively at 3B, 1B, and today 2B, where he ‘s making all the plays an doing the little things that can go unnoticed as well.
• Pitching Staff – Say what? Another shut out during spring? The pads now sport the second lowest ERA (2.83) among N.L. teams this spring trailing only CIN.  Morrow posted four scoreless today, and although I still haven’t consistently seen the explosive FB that I know resides inside, his command today was excellent especially of his breaking pitches. Jackson, Garces, and Mateo also posted zeroes. The guy that is interesting under the radar screen is Chris Rearick who posted another scoreless inning today, for the 5th time this spring.  Nothing overpowering, just well located pitches, and when runners do get on like today he doesn’t panic, just keeps locating down in the zone.  Quackenbush closed it out with his typical no-see-um FB to all quadrants.

Good day, boys, good day! Tomorrow it’s a split squad, Shields vs. the Brewers at Peoria, Despaigne vs. the A’s at their place. More of those HR’s and shut out innings please!

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