Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 2, 2014

Maybin in pain after diving for ball today against Dodgers.

Well, after a day like today for the Padres about all you can say is “Tomorrow’s a new day”.

It was a split squad day for the Friars with the home boys playing the Reds at Peoria Sports Complex, and the road warriors taking on the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch.  The home town Pads lost to the Reds 15-4.  Things started out fine as Tyson Ross went out a posted two scoreless innings looking very sharp.  He did it against the Reds regular season starting lineup as well – Phillips, Votto, Bruce, etc.  However, things quickly spun out of control from there.  Burch Smith struggled in allowing 6 runs on 8 hits, followed by Anthony Carter who allowed 4 runs (1 earned) pitting the Pads in a 10-0 after 5.  The Pads offense did come to life finally in the 6th, forging a 4-run 2-out rally, thanks to singles by Chris Denorfia, Jedd Gyorko, Seth Smith, and Austin Hedges.  The Reds pushed across 5 more, including 4 against Nick Vincent before the final out was recorded.  There was another fine Padres pitching performance in the middle of the scoring, and that was Matt Wisler’s two scoreless frames, showing in his big league spring debut that he could indeed be ready to be that next name called if/when the Pads need another starter during the year.

Against the Dodgers the road Padres fared much better on the scoreboard, playing to a 3-3 tie.  Obviously I wasn’t able to see the game myself, but it appears that it was a well played game with eight different Friars getting hits, and Alexi Amarista, Rico Noel and Rocky Gale each driving in a run.  On the hill Robbie Erlin gave up a single run over 2 innings, while Jesse Hahn, Patrick Schuster and Blaine Boyer each put up zeros during their mound work.  Unfortunately, there may have been a loss in that game greater than any spring training score – Cameron Maybin left the game early with a possible shoulder injury.  While making a diving play he apparently landed hard on his left shoulder and after trying to stay in the game ultimately had to leave.  He will have an MRI tomorrow to determine the extent of any injury.

So, tomorrow is a new day.  Whether or not it brings the Padres their first W of the spring, more importantly it will hopefully bring forth some more solid pitching performances, the continued emergence of the offense, and a clean MRI for Cameron Maybin.

Hope you’ll join Ted Leitner and me for the webcast tomorrow from Scottsdale Stadium as the Pads take on the Giants at 12:05 PST.

Peace everybody!

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