Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 5, 2014

Buddy and Huston sharing a laugh after his successful catch session.

Well now, wasn’t that fun? An 8-0 tail whipping of the White Sox from beginning to end.  No matter what element of this game you look at the Padres did it well.  Pitching – dominant.  Hitting – explosive, productive, and timely.  Defense – perfect. The joy of watching a Padres Cactus League victory…priceless!  Ok, ok…maybe I got a little carried away right there going down the Visa commercial route, but dang that was a fun game to watch.

In case you missed it the Padres took a 4-0 lead in the first thanks to a two out rally started by an Xavier Nady RBI single, and finished with a Nick Hundley 3-run opposite field home run – that was the explosive.  The Friars pushed accross another run in the 2nd on a couple of singles and a ground out – the timely.  The productive came after a hit batsman, and a walk, deep fly ball and a ground out – nothing fancy just putting the ball in play when needed to take what was being given.  Cody Decker then reverted back to the explosive again in the 8th with a 2-run blast that cleared two fences and scattered some picnickers in the lunch area in the left field pavilion.

Meanwhile the Pads pitchers were just taking all of the fun out of it for the Sox batters.  Andrew Cashner set the tone throwing 3 scoreless allowing only 2 hits and striking out 3.  He appeared to have command of all his pitches and was able to reach back for a little extra to finish off a couple of guys when necessary.  The rest of the day was about redemption.  Joe Wieland, Keyvius Sampson, and Leonel Campos all took it on the chin in their first spring outings, but all threw very well today.  Wieland threw two perfect innings, and showed the same firm fastball as his first outing, but located it better to go along with a much sharper and better placed curveball than last time, and the combo was wicked.  Sampson followed suit throwing two easy innings himself, while striking out 2.  Campos allowed a couple of infield singles but worked out of it nicely to keep the shutout in tact.  Finally Quackenbush came in to do what he’s done so successfully the past 3 seasons and closed out the victory with a clean 9th.  Done and done!

So, thoughts going through my mind after Jesse and I wrapped up the webcast and turned off our mics?  First, that Cashner is doing all he can to lock up being the Pads opening day starter.  Second, that the young pitchers really showed something by coming back after rough first outings, and showing some self confidence and resiliency in coming back out next time to put up solid outings.  And finally that the bats are starting to get up to speed, with the Pads hammering 6  home runs the past 3 games.  Bottom line, regardless of the wins and losses things have been going in the right direction.

Quick news of the day includes Cameron Maybin returning to AZ for a few hours before heading to San Diego to discuss with the team doctors what the best course of action will be to either allow or help his ruptured biceps tendon to heal. Chase Headley is reportedly hitting in the cage both right and left handed now as his calf heals.  Huston Street played catch today, and should be back on the mound soon after slightly straining is groin.  And finally Alex Torres is scheduled to make his first appearance in a Padres uniform tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow there will be no webcast nor radio broadcast for tomorrow’s contest but it will be televised on FSSD.  I’m going to miss talking ball with you on air tomorrow, but Jesse and I will be back on the webcast Friday, hopefully talking about a game as sharply played by the Padres as today’s was.

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