Padres Spring Training Report – Apr. 1, 2015

It was a match up of opening day starters between the Padres and the White Sox, and Shields and the Friars won the day handily 8-2.  The Pads posted 5 runs in the first inning off Jeff Samardzija, and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.

Here are some of the highlights of the day:

• James Shields – In his last tune up before his opening day start he looked sharp tossing 3 scoreless innings of 3-hit ball, striking out a pair and walking none.  Excellent fastball command to the corners set the tone, with good changeups to go with it.  He’s ready to make his 7th career opening day start, and his first appearance at Dodger stadium.
• Quackenbush, Maurer, Benoit, and Kelley – Each threw a scoreless inning out of the ‘pen today, and the Friars staff as a whole did not walk a single batter on the day.
• Jedd Gyorko  – Hit a 3-run HR over the left field fence on a fastball on his hands. Probably not a HR on a cool night at Petco, but it was good enough today.
• Yangervis Solarte – After hitting a mammoth 3-run blast against the Reds two days ago, he hit another long ball today.  This one was a 2 -run launch over right center. He also had two other hits today as well, and has been swinging a hot bat all spring.
• Yonder Alonso – Had an outstanding defensive day making several typically aggressive Yonder plays, and one diving stop to his right.  Also had a hit at the plate.
• Will Venable – Two hits and a walk to reach base there times, scoring 2 runs and driving one in.

The Pads made some roster moves today to get closer to the opening day 25.  Medica and Almonte were optioned to AAA, while Lane, Mateo, and Pena were reassigned to minor league camp.  Must have been a particularly hard meeting for Medica who hit a team leading .421, with 4 HR’s and 12 RBIs.  Not good news necessarily for these players, but good news for the organization to have some depth to turn to if/when needed.

All looks good heading into the final game of spring.  The Pads, other than the knee injury to Federowicz, have been remarkably healthy.  All the position battles have been competitions of success not demonstrations of decline.  Still plenty of tough decisions to be made with 34 players yet remaining in camp.

Tomorrow the Padres will host the Brewers at Peoria for the Cactus League finale.  Ross will go for the Friars, with the first pitch being fired at 12:05.  Hope you’ll join uncle Teddy and myself for the action on the padres.com webcast, then we’ll all be San Diego bound!

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