Padres Game Summary March 7: TEX 6 – PADS 2

The good news is the Padres finally got their first Cactus league victory yesterday, but I didn’t get to see it.  In a split squad day the road warriors defeated the Reds at Goodyear park 5-0.  Meanwhile here at Peoria the Rangers took down the home team Pads 6-2.  The padres are now 1-4 in Cactus League play.

The focal point of the game from a fan and media perspective was clearly the debut on U.S. soil of new Rangers import Yu Darvish.  The Japanese superstar did nothing to dim the lights that are all shining on him as he settles into his new MLB routine.  He was everything that was advertised – good live fastball with excellent velocity and movement when he wanted, a late, deep slider, a slow but biting curve, and useful split finger.  He banked the Pads for 2 innings while striking out 3 and allowing doubles to Venable and Hudson.  Obviously it still remains to be seen how he will hold up facing MLB lineups, pitching every 5th day, traveling, pitching in Texas, and everything else that comes with the transition from playing in Japan to the U.S., but he certainly passed the eyeball test today showing why the Rangers would invest $110M for his services.

For the Padres it was a mixed bag. There were some nice pitching efforts today, including starter Jeff Suppan who matched Darvish with 2 scoreless, along with relievers Alex Hinsahw, Luke Gregerson, Joe thatcher, and Nick Vincent who all threw very crisp scoreless innings.  Joe Wieland looked very sharp for the first 5 batters he faced, until he allowed 5 consecutive runner to reach base via hits.  Not all were hit hard, but the extra pitches thrown in the inning took its toll.

Will venerable again had a nice day at the plate this time with a double blasted off Darvish.  Orlando Hudson also doubled off Darvish and made one of the best defensive plays I’ve seen out of him in a Padres uniform diving to his right to stop a ball from going into the outfield.  Hoping we see more all out efforts like that during the season.  Blake Tekotte drove in the only two runs today with a triple, and Edinson Rincon again hit the ball hard with a double that started that lone Padres rally.

Defense continues to be an issue as there were 2 errors committed today and several more misplays.  Yes pop ups are difficult in the high AZ sky and especially today with the wind howling, but the communication has to get better.

Pads take on the Giants at Peoria tomorrow.  Hope we see some crisp defense and the bats start coming to life.

Go Pads!

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