Can you feel it? Pitchers are starting to hit their dead arm period. Position players’ bodies are starting to feel the fatigue of being on their feet for hours on sun baked infields. The excitement and anticipation of the start of spring is long gone. The butterflies and adrenalin of the first games of spring have passed. Pitchers and catchers have been here for a month now, and position players almost as long. It’s the dog days of spring.
That has nothing to do, though, with the Padres’ 8-0 loss to the Brewers today. That had to do with some bad Pads pitching in the 5th and 6th innings, and some bats that were quieted after scoring 13 runs the previous two days.
Josh Johnson took care of business for the first four innings. He looked really sharp today with great use of his FB away early, and in late, and a razor blade slider that was just cutting off the end of the Brewers bats inducing 3 strikeouts and multiple ground ball outs. He only allowed 2 hits which lead to a run in the 3rd, but he came back strong in the 4th and overall looked really good.
Burch Smith, however, was not quite as effective. He was up in the zone fairly consistently and was cuffed around for 5 runs on 6 hits in two innings of work. Yes, two of the runs were unearned, but he just didn’t pitch well. The FB command just hasn’t been there that I can see, nor consistency with the off speed. Joaquin Benoit restored order in the 7th, doing what he’s done all spring. He posted an easy “0”, aggressively getting ahead with is FB and then putting guys away with that change up…nasty. He’s looked like a great pickup so far, and with Huston street not having pitched in a Cactus League game yet, his closing experience may have to come in handy.
The new lefty, Alex Torres, followed Benoit and gave up a run looking very average today. He had good life on his FB in his last outing, but today looked a bit flat and up in the zone, allowing 2 hits and a run in his inning. Donn Roach took the last inning and allowed a run on 5 ground balls, two of which were seeing eye types just squeaking through. The kid threw well and did not deserve a run to score keeping the ball on the ground as well as he did.
Bats? Not happening today. Not sure what to tell you. 13 runs the previous two days, but couldn’t get it going today. There was one Friar seeing the ball ok and that was Yonder Alonso who was the only Pad to get multiple hits, both doubles.
Last comment about the game, Yasmani Grandal made his first start behind the plate and looked good back there. Seems to be moving fine, no signs of favoring his repaired knee. Now race is on to see if he can get his skills at plate and behind it, and his endurance up to speed for opening day.
What else is going on in camp? Huston Street mentioned above, did throw today, and is expected to pitch in a game on Saturday. It may be a minor league game that he pitches in, but at least he will be back to competing. Chase Headley continues to progress, and was supposed to run on the field today. Hopefully everything went ok with that stress test on the calf. He’s inching closer. Cameron Maybin is resting.
Oh, and the most important thing that took place was the installation of the foundation and bolts to a new permanent basketball hoop on the back patio! 3-point contest anyone?
Friday’s game will be at Peoria vs. the Angels. First pitch 1:05 PST, and game will be aired on Fox Sports San diego. No live radio or webcast on weekdays that are on TV, but we’ll look forward to joining you Saturday!
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