Game Summary March 4: SEA-5, PADS-4

Great to finally start Cactus League action!

 The Pads dropped their opener 5-4 to the Mariners (Box Score), in what looked to me like a matchup between a team playing its first game, against a team who’d had a week’s worth more practice and no butterflies having played two previous contests.  The Padres batters simply did not appear to have their timing down at all versus Seattle starter Jason Vargas.  In fact, although they did hit a few balls hard, they didn’t get their first hit until the 5th inning.  Combine that with some shaky defense, and little margin was left for the Padres hurlers.

There were some bright spots, however.  Most of the pitching was pretty solid today for the Pads. Bass threw a nice two innings, yes allowing a solo HR, but also throwing some excellent change ups. Hinshaw, Cashner, Thayer, and Hamren all threw scoreless innings.  Even Gregerson, who’s line score shows four hits and 2 earned runs, threw a lot better that the numbers would indicate, and most importantly for him threw several very crisp sliders.

It was nice to see the team come back in the 9th, granted with the help of some shaky defense by the Mariners as well, but also with 3 hits, including a 2-run double by Yosmani Grandal on a 2-strike slider.  The timing of the hitters will improve with more at bats, to be sure.  What was frustrating were the defensive lapses, but there were only three regular season starters on the field during the game.  By the end of tomorrow’s contest a good portion of the position players and about half the pitchers will have gotten their first game excitement out of their system.

It was the “lid lifter” (new term for me, thanks to MLB.com’s Cory Brock) for us in the broadcast booth as well.  I had fun in my first outing doing color in the radio booth, and it was and will continue to be an honor working with Ted Leitner, Jerry Coleman, and Andy Masur.  I appreciate all their efforts to make me feel like a welcomed member to their excellent team.

Tomorrow same place , same time, same teams…hopefully a different outcome.  Go Pads!

Scan