Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 20, 2015

After a much needed day off, the Pads resumed Cactus League action tonight against the Royals, but fell to the A.L. defending champs 6-1.  Ian Kennedy threw well tonight going 4 innings, allowing 1 unearned run.  The Royals pitching, however, pretty much shut the Pads down.  The Friar’s only run scoring with the help of a balk. Quackenbush took it on the chin tonight after retiring the first two batters, and having the third potential out down 0-2, he allowed the 0-2 hit, hit a batter, allowed another 2 strike hit, then a bases clearing triple giving the Royals a 4-1 lead from which the Pads would never recover.

Here are the few highlights:

• Ian Kennedy – As mentioned above he threw pretty well tonight.  Consistent ability to put his fastball to both sides of the plate, along sigh some really good curve balls. Changeup was effective at times as well but the FB-CB combo looked sharp.
• Justin Upton – Hit a double off the left field wall, and later scored the only run.  He continues to show how dangerous he is with a  bat in his hand.
• Will Middlebrooks – No hits tonight, but man is he smooth at third!  Every play looks easy, even the hot shot backhand play he made tonight seemed to be made without almost any effort at all. Strong accurate arm to go with the sure glove. I see why scouts mention Gold Glove when talking about him.  It will be tough to pry that award away from Arenado, but Will could be the third bagger that pushes him at some point.
• Mateo, Benoit & Rearick – Scoreless innings for each. Mateo needed only 7 pitches (all strikes) to retire the side, punching out 2 on nasty sliders. Benoit’s inning was even more efficient needing only 6 pitches to post his zero.  Rearick simply did what he’s been doing all spring – make pitches. Nothing electric, just pitches perfectly placed for the 6th time this spring…sleeper pitching himself into contention for spot as lefty in the ‘pen.

Health update on Casey kelly. All good with hi live BP sessions, and we should see him in a game in next couple of days.

Tomorrow the presumed 5th starter Brandon Morrow will go against the Diamondbacks at Peoria. Game time is 1:05 and you can listen to all the exciting Cactus League action on the Mighty 1090.  Jesse Agler and I will be filling the airwaves with baseball for you, so hope you will join us.

Oh, and congratulations to the Aztecs hoops team for their 76-64 win over St. Johns!!! Next victim…#1 seed Duke!

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