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Padres Press Clips Wednesday, April 19, 2017

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Cosart hurt as Perdomo nears return to Padres rotation UT San Diego Sanders 2

Padres' losing streak hits five games UT San Diego Sanders 5

This time, Carter Capps the winner in rehab outing UT San Diego Sanders 7

First pitch: Padres limping back into Petco Park UT San Diego Sanders 9

Padres' Cosart leaves with hamstring strain MLB.com Paris 11

Padres can't uphold early lead vs. D-backs MLB.com Gilbert 13

Chacin aim for another home gem vs. D-backs MLB.com Paris 15

Tomas, Miller lead Diamondbacks to 11-2 win over Padres Associated Press AP 16

Andy’s Address, 4/18 Friar Wire Center 18

Padres On Deck: Single-A LHPs Lauer, Headean Sharp in Friar Wire Center 20

Defeats

This Day in Padres History, 4/18 Friar Wire Center 22

Padres Fall to the Diamondbacks in Game One of Series NBC 7 Acosta 23

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Cosart hurt as Perdomo nears return to Padres rotation Jeff Sanders

A late spring hiccup relegated the Jarred Cosart to long relief duty until minor injuries opened up a spot in the rotation. Now it’s the 26-year-old Cosart who’s hurting as the Padres prepare to welcome Luis Perdomo back into the fold.

At least the timing works out.

Cosart retired the first 10 hitters he faced Tuesday only to walk off the mound after 3 2/3 innings with a right hamstring strain hours after Padres manager Andy Green laid out a rough plan to get Perdomo on a mound without a rehab assignment. Those designs include an extended bullpen session Wednesday after Perdomo threw all of his pitches in a 25-pitch side session Sunday in Atlanta, the most intense of his workouts since landing on the disabled list April 12 with inflammation in the back of his shoulder.

“If that goes well, I don’t think we’ll have any inclination to give him a rehab start,” Green said before the Padres’ 11-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. “I think he’ll be ready to go, but that will be dictated on how he feels. And if he feels anything more we’ll take it slow. We’re very optimistic that he’ll make a start soon.”

Possibly in place of Cosart.

On the heels of throwing four shutout frames in Colorado, Cosart breezed through the first three innings Tuesday.

In the fourth, David Peralta beat the infield shift with a ground ball to the right of a charging Erick Aybar for Arizona’s first hit of the game. Then Paul Goldschmidt walked, Jake Lamb struck out and Yasmany Tomas’ infield single to shortstop loaded the bases for Brandon Drury, who walked to push across the first run charged to Cosart.

That second walk also fetched pitching coach Darren Balsley from the dugout. Then he was joined by Green and head trainer Mark Rogow before Cosart exited the game as Craig Stammen warmed up quickly for a bases-loaded confrontation with Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings.

“It was all on me,” Cosart said, noting he strained his hamstring trying to beat out a bunt attempt a half-inning earlier. “I thought it was a foul ball and took three or four light steps. I realized it wasn't and tried to turn it on full speed and it kind of grabbed on me. It was relatively

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light when I got to first. I ran to second and it didn't quite feel right and progressively pitch-by-pitch the next inning it started getting tighter and tighter.

“I was hoping it was a cramp but it didn't go away and it started affecting command a lot. That's when I came out. I was done.”

The inning was not.

Stammen immediately fielded a tapper on the third-base side of the mound, hesitated as one runner headed home and then threw wildly to first to allow two unearned runs to score. Both were charged to Cosart (3 2/3 IP, 1 ER), who is in danger of becoming the third Padres pitcher to miss a start after sustaining his second leg injury since joining the Padres last July.

“I think tomorrow is doing to be big day,” Cosart said as he noted the hamstring’s tenderness. “Hopefully I can get out there soon.”

The timing of Tuesday’s injury was especially frustrating: Cosart had departed Atlanta a day early instead of joining the team on a red-eye to San Diego and was looking to give the Padres a quality start to put a 2-5 road trip in the rear-view mirror.

Only things went off script after the first 10 batters of the game.

“Everything felt good stuff wise,” Cosart said, who struck out two and allowed two hits and two walks in the fourth inning. “I feel like I turned a corner in Colorado and I wanted to carry that over. I wanted to give us six to nine. It's just really unfortunate.”

Perdomo was the second pitcher to miss a start, the inflammation flaring up in his shoulder after his last start of the spring and again in the bullpen session following the Padres’ home opener. The 23-year-old right-hander, however, noted the improvement in Sunday’s bullpen after a round of anti-inflammatories and mobility work with the training staff.

“I felt really good,” Perdomo said through an interpreter. “It hasn’t been too difficult (to be on the DL). I just see this as a small blip in the road. I just have to get back to where I want to be.”

Which is back on a big league mound.

The last time Perdomo was seen he was exiting after a grand slam surrendered to Brandon Belt interrupted a dazzling start to the season on April 7. The blast left Perdomo with five runs allowed in 5 1/3 innings instead of a win and six-inning quality start, but the Padres saw plenty of progress – most notably his secondary pitches outside one hanging slider – as he embarked on his second season in the majors.

“I saw a better slider and he’s utilizing his change-up more often,” Balsley said. “He’s got a lot more confidence in his secondary pitches than he did last year. He’s learning the game, how to navigate his way through a lineup based on the hitter and how his strengths play to their weaknesses.”

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Dee watch What happened to Mike Dee, the former president of the Padres who suddenly parted ways with the team in October?

Dee confirmed in a text to the Union-Tribune that a report he had been involved in the search for Boston College’s next athletic director was accurate, but said he had withdrawn his name from consideration.

TMGCollegeSports.com first reported that Dee was a candidate for the position.

“I had already withdrawn from the BC process,” Dee texted.

Dee left the Padres four months after Managing Partner Peter Seidler issued a strong vote of confidence in the top executive. Neither the Padres nor Dee have commented on the reason for the separation.

Notable

Top pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza is expected to resume a throwing program this week, Padres farm director Sam Geaney said. The 19-year-old Espinoza is on high Single-A Lake Elsinore’s seven-day disabled list with forearm tightness, which Padres General Manager A.J. Preller says is not related to the elbow or ligament. The DL stint is likely to push Espinoza’s first appearance of 2017 into May.

RHP Enyel De Los Santos, ranked No. 16 according to Baseball America, has been named the Texas League pitcher of the week after posting a 0.75 ERA, 13 strikeouts and just two walks in 12 innings at Double-A San Antonio. De Los Santos turned in six perfect innings in his last start.

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Padres' losing streak hits five games

Jeff Sanders

The majors’ second-youngest roster figures to sit through several harsh lessons as the spring stretches into the dog days of summer. None may be more important than the one in front of Andy Green’s bunch right now:

Steering out of an extended skid.

The current slide hit five games Tuesday night, the Padres’ bats going quiet as Arizona beat up on the bullpen in an 11-2 rout in front of 19,869 at Petco Park to start a six-game homestand.

Right-hander Craig Stammen’s throwing error allowed two runs to score after Jarred Cosart exited in the fourth with a hamstring injury, Yasmany Tomas added insult to injury with a three-run homer the next inning and Shelby Miller backed Arizona’s uprising with 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball to send the Padres to their 10th loss in the first 15 games of the season.

A Wednesday date with Zack Greinke won’t make things any easier.

“We knew there'd be challenges throughout the course of this season, especially with our youth,” Green said before four errors assisted Arizona in extending a losing streak that equaled last year’s season-worst skids in April and August. “I think to a large degree the youth is proving exciting. … Some of those guys are showing real value and real skill. We'll put it together and start winning some baseball games. It's going to happen, but the last five games — especially yesterday's game, that was a tough loss.

“Today's game was kind of just a painful baseball game.”

In a lot of ways.

Cosart could be the third starting pitcher to miss a start due to injury. The bullpen committed two of the Padres’ four errors and allowed eight runs. The bats’ shortcomings with runners in scoring position continued.

The Padres entered the game hitting .174 in that department – 29th in the majors – and had just one hit in eight chances through the first eight innings: Wil Myers’ run-scoring single in the third to give his team a 1-0 lead and extend his hitting streak to nine games.

The advantage didn’t last long.

Cosart (3 2/3 IP, 1 ER) allowed his first hit and then runs a half inning later, Stammen allowed four runs on two hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings and Zach Lee surrendered two more runs on four hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings.

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Tomas’ homer off Stammen and Chris Iannetta’s eighth-inning shot off Lee upped the Padres’ allotment to 24 homers allowed, most in the majors.

Christian Bethancourt struck out a batter to close the eighth only to allow two unearned runs to score on Jeremy Hazelbaker’s two-out triple in the ninth. The rally started when Hector Sanchez missed a catch at first base with one out in the inning, the Padres’ fourth error of the game.

Bethancourt walked another batter before Green lifted him for Erick Aybar, who got the final out in his pitching debut as Bethancourt moved from the mound to second base.

For the Diamondbacks, Miller (2-1) struck out five and allowed one run on four hits and two walks over 7 1/3 innings in the win.

Rule-5 catcher Luis Torrens’ run-scoring single in the ninth — just the Padres’ second hit with runners in scoring position — was the first hit and RBI of his career.

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This time, Carter Capps the winner in rehab outing

Jeff Sanders

Carter Capps’ second rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso was a massive improvement.

Two days after allowing four runs while recording two outs, the 26-year-old right-hander struck out one over a scoreless frame in earning the win in a 4-3 victory over Tacoma on Tuesday night in El Paso.

Capps didn’t yield a base runner this time, throwing five of his 10 pitches for strikes in turning in a scoreless outing for the third time in four rehab appearances.

The first two came with Lake Elsinore. All told Capps has allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over 3 2/3 innings in a rehab assignment that Padres manager Andy Green said Tuesday should continue through the end of the Padres’ current homestand.

Capps’ entered Tuesday’s game in El Paso after right-hander Kevin Quackenbush (5.40) gave up the lead with a run allowed in the sixth inning.

Logan Bawcom (1.17) struck out a batter in a scoreless eighth and Phil Maton (5.40) earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.

Jamie Romak (.293) hit his fifth homer and drove in two runs on two hits and Rafael Ortega (.267) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Right-hander Matt Magill (1.59) started the game with two runs allowed in five innings.

The Chihuahuas are 6-7.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (6-6)

Arkansas 6, Missions 2: RHP Michael Kelly (0-1, 5.40) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks in two innings in the start and RHP Eric Yardley (6.00) allowed three runs in three innings. LHP Brad Wieck (2.45) struck out the side in the eighth. The first home runs of the season from DH Franmil Reyes (.277) and LF Alberth Martinez (.258) accounted for the Missions’ lone runs. SS Luis Urias (.261) went 2-for-4.

HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (3-9)

Inland Empire 3, Storm 2 (11): RHP Tyler Barnette (0-1, 4.05) allowed a run in the 11th as Lake Elsinore lost its sixth straight game. RHP Chris Huffman (0.00) started the game

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with five strikeouts over six shutout innings. 1B Josh Naylor (.196) hit his first homer and 2B Chris Baker (.244) and CF Michael Gettys (.241) both went 2-for-5 with a double.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (4-8)

TinCaps 2, West Michigan 1: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.156) doubled in a run in the ninth and scored the game-winner on LF Rod Boykns’ walk-off single, his second dhit of the game. RHP Hansel Rodriguez (3.27) struck out two over six scoreless innings in a no-decision and RHP Louis Distacio (1-0, 7.56) struck out five and allowed one run over three innings.

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First pitch: Padres limping back into Petco Park Jeff Sanders

Inconsistency is the hallmark of a young team, an axiom that has played out for the Padres through the first four series of the season.

The owner of baseball’s second-youngest roster on opening day, the Padres are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of a Braves team that is also rebuilding. That sobering walloping was preceded by series wins over NL West contenders (at the Rockies and home against the Giants) after the Dodgers knocked them around for three wins in four games to start the season.

The Padres open their second homestand ranked last in run-differential (minus-23), 28thin batting average (.210) and 27th in team ERA (4.85). Their .357 winning percentage is also tied with the Giants for the fourth-worst to start the season despite several promising storylines:

1B Wil Myers is making good on his new contract with three homers and nine RBIs to go with a .368/.383/.684 batting line.

Rookie OFs Manuel Margot (.268/.317/.500) and Hunter Renfroe (.236/.236/.436) are tied for the team lead in homers (3) with Myers and 3B Ryan Schimpf.

C Austin Hedges (.158/.238/.368) has two homers in his last five games after starting the season 0-for-24.

Rule-5 INF Allen Cordoba (.417/.500/.667) hit the first home run of his career Monday after jumping from rookie ball directly to the majors.

A familiar face Diamondbacks closer Fernando Rodney has converted all five of his save opportunities with his new team despite allowing six earned runs in his first 6 1/3 innings. Rodney has struck out eight, walked five and allowed seven hits, including one homer.

An All-Star in 2016, Rodney had fashioned a 0.31 ERA in 28 2/3 innings for the Padres before he was traded to the Marlins. He signed a one-year deal for $2.75 million with Arizona to return to the NL West.

Notable

Top pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza is expected to resume a throwing program this week, Padres farm director Sam Geaney said. The 19-year-old Espinoza is on high Single-A Lake Elsinore’s seven-day disabled list with forearm tightness, which Padres General Manager A.J. Preller says is not related to the elbow or ligament. The DL stint is likely to push Espinoza’s first appearance of 2017 into May.

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RHP Enyel De Los Santos, ranked No. 16 according to Baseball America, has been named the Texas League pitcher of the week after posting a 0.75 ERA, 13 strikeouts and just two walks in 12 innings at Double-A San Antonio. De Los Santos turned in six perfect innings in his last start.

Jerry Narron is filling in as the Diamondbacks bench coach for Ron Gardenhire, who left the team after the opening homestand for prostate cancer surgery and recovery. Gardenhire was finalist for the Padres managerial job that ultimately went to Green.

ON DECK | Diamondbacks (9-5) at Padres (5-9) Game 1: 7:10 p.m. Tuesday

Diamondbacks RHP Shelby Miller (1-1, 5.06 ERA)

Miller allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings in both of his starts thus far. Through 10 2/3 innings, the 26-year-old has 12 strikeouts, five walks and 12 hits allowed.

Padres RHP Jarred Cosart (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

The 26-year-old Cosart gets a second start after throwing four shutout innings at the Rockies last week in Colorado. He has two strikeouts against four walks in 4 2/3 innings this season.

Wednesday: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (1-1, 4.32) vs. Padres RHP Jhoulys Chacin (1-2, 7.80), 7:10 p.m.

Thursday: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (1-2, 2.81) vs. Padres LHP Clayton Richard (1-2, 3.60), 6:10 p.m.

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Padres' Cosart leaves with hamstring strain By Jay Paris / Special to MLB.com | 2:32 AM ET

SAN DIEGO -- On Tuesday night, a strained right hamstring prevented Jarred Cosart's latest attempt to

find the winner's circle for the first time since 2015 while facing the D-backs.

"It started getting tighter and tighter,'' Cosart said. "I was hoping it was a cramp but it didn't go away and

it started affecting my command a lot.''

The right-handed Cosart retired the first 10 batters before disaster struck in the fourth. David

Peralta singled, Paul Goldschmidt walked and Yasmany Tomas produced an infield single to load the

bases. Brandon Drury walked to force in Peralta and soon Cosart was forced from the game.

And when Cosart left, the semblance of a competitive game exited with him. Arizona scored four in the

frame, en route to an 11-2 triumph.

Cosart was hurt when running to first base the previous inning.

"That was all on me,'' he said. "I thought it was a foul ball so I took three or four light steps. Then I tried

to turn it on full speed and it grabbed on me.''

It was the start of a premature exit for Cosart (0-1), who was humming along quite nicely. But he left the

bases loaded after 3 2/3 innings and his pitching line took a blow: two hits, three runs (one earned) and

two walks, with two strikeouts.

"It's disappointing, he had really good stuff,'' Padres manager Andy Green said. "He tried to go back and

pitch through it, but when we went out there it was grabbing on him.

"His velocity was still good. His last pitch he threw was at 94 mph. It wasn't like he was pitching at 87 or

88.''

Cosart last won on Sept. 17, 2015, when pitching for the Marlins against the Nationals. SInce, he's lost six

straight decisions, and as of Tuesday, a healthy right hamstring.

The signs were encouraging for Cosart coming into his second start of the season. When filling in

for Trevor Cahill on April 10 at Colorado, Cosart spun four scoreless innings.

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"I felt like I turned a corner in Colorado and I wanted to carry it over and give us six-nine [innings]

today,'' Cosart said. "It's really unfortunate, but it is something I really can't control. It was just one of

things.''

Cosart knows another opportunity to get on the winning track went by the boards.

"It's disappointing on a lot of fronts,'' he said. "Pitch-count wise, that was my game. And I was just going

out there to try and match Shelby [Miller] and save the bullpen.''

If Cosart is sidelined, he might be replaced by Luis Perdomo. Perdomo said his inflamed right shoulder,

which landed him on the disabled list on April 12, is no longer bothering him. He'll throw a bullpen

session on Wednesday and if he clears that, the right-handed Perdomo could rejoin the rotation minus a

rehabilitation start in the minors.

With Cosart's situation, that's a positive development on a night when little went right for the Padres as

they lost their fifth in a row.

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Padres can't uphold early lead vs. D-backs By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com | @SteveGilbertMLB | 3:17 AM ET

SAN DIEGO -- Shelby Miller flashed dominant stuff and the D-backs broke out for seven runs in the

middle innings to beat the Padres, 11-2, on Tuesday night in the series opener at Petco Park.

"His fastball is as good as anybody's out there," Padres manager Andy Green said of Miller. "The ball

jumps. He throws fastballs past fastball hitters. We had a couple of times when we had him teetering on

the edge but we didn't knock him off. Credit to him, he threw some fastballs by us."

The Padres grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a Wil Myers RBI single, but the rest of the game

belonged to the D-backs as Miller allowed just four hits over 7 1/3 innings.

The D-backs scored three runs in the fourth and followed that up with four in the fifth, three of which

came on Yasmany Tomas' second homer of the year.

"Offensively, I think we took advantage of some key moments," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said.

"We had some really good at-bats early, got runners in scoring position and drove them in and that was

the key for us today."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Ouch: Padres starter Jarred Cosart mowed the D-backs down in order in the first three innings and had

two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth when he appeared to be uncomfortable on the mound. He

walked Brandon Drury to force in a run and then left the game with a right hamstring strain.

"You could tell he was laboring in that last inning of work and fortunately we had men in scoring position

and took advantage of it," Lovullo said.

Costly error: Craig Stammen came on in relief of the injured Cosart and was greeted by a bunt

from Chris Owings. Stammen fielded it, bobbled it and threw wildly to first allowing two runs to score.

The play gave the D-backs a lead they would not relinquish.

"I think that was a good decision on his part and it led to a couple of runs and I thought that was a key

moment in the game for us today," Louvllo said of Owings decision to bunt.

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QUOTABLE

"I started cranking my arm at him at shortstop, seeing if he wanted to pitch and he cranked it back to me.

You can't exactly have a conversation.'' Green on how he knew Erick Aybar was agreeable to pitching in

the ninth

PITCHING IN

Aybar made his big league pitching debut with two outs in the ninth inning. Not wanting to go any deeper

into his bullpen, Green summoned Aybar from shortstop to pitch. Aybar retired Chris Herrmann on a

groundout to end the inning. More >>

REPLAY REVIEW

Tomas was ruled safe at first on a tapper to third in the second inning. Green challenged the call and the

play was overturned and Tomas was out.

WHAT'S NEXT

D-backs: Zack Greinke looks to rebound from a rough start against the Dodgers when he takes the ball

Wednesday night against the Padres at 7:10 p.m. MST. Greinke allowed five runs over five innings and

took the loss.

Padres: Jhoulys Chacin takes the mound at 7:10 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, looking to rebound from a

scratchy outing against the Braves. Chacin struggled with his command in Atlanta as he surrendered four

runs on eight hits and four walks in five innings. Chacin is 5-3 lifetime against Arizona.

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Chacin aim for another home gem vs. D-

backs By Jay Paris / Special to MLB.com | 1:13 AM ET

The Padres might be just what Arizona's Zack Greinke needs to get back on track.

Greinke (1-1, 4.32) had a rough outing his last time out, falling to the Dodgers in Friday's five-inning

stint. He allowed five runs and clearly wasn't sharp in his celebrated matchup with former teammate,

Clayton Kershaw.

But Greinke's career mark of 8-1 in 16 career starts against the Padres could be a clue of what's in store

Wednesday.

Jhoulys Chacin (1-2) also got rocked in his previous start, surrendering eight runs, four hits and four

walks in five innings to the Braves on Friday.

Things to look for in this game

• Greinke has been particularly effective against the Padres at Petco Park. In 10 starts, he is 4-1 with a

1.90 ERA.

• Catcher Austin Hedges, who started the season 0-for-24, has bounced back of late. He's a nifty 2-for-3

against Greinke and is one of two Padres, along with Wil Myers, to have hit a homer off him.

• While it's only been three starts, Greinke's zone rate this season is down from 2016 (44.8 percent to 40.3

percent), and his opponents are chasing fewer of his out-of-zone pitches (35.1 percent to 27.1 percent).

Entering Tuesday, the zone rate was the sixth-lowest among pitchers with at least 250 total pitches.

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Tomas, Miller lead Diamondbacks to 11-2

win over Padres Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Shelby Miller hopes he's on his way to putting his awful 2016 season behind him. Backed by Yasmany Tomas' three-run homer, Miller pitched 7 1/3 innings of four-hit ball and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the San Diego Padres 11-2 on Tuesday night.

The Padres lost their fifth straight game. They were coming off a four-game sweep at Atlanta.

Miller (2-1) kept the Padres off balance most of the night, including four 1-2-3 innings, as he pitched into the eighth for the first time this season. San Diego broke through in the third with Wil Myers' two-out RBI single to center, but otherwise was frustrated.

Miller was not. He needs just one win to match his total from last year, when he went 3-12 with 6.15 ERA in his first season with Arizona. He was even demoted at one point, making eight starts in Triple-A.

"It's great. The biggest thing is just trying to go out there and compete, no matter what the circumstances are," Miller said. "Last year, I only won three games and the year before that only six. My biggest thing was trying to get back to winning, not only for myself but for the team. I think we're in a great place. It's just all kind of coming together for us and we've got to continue going and just continue to play the best ball we're doing and I think we'll be in good shape."

Miller allowed a double to Travis Jankowski leading off the eighth, struck out Christian

Bethancourt and then made way for Randall Delgado. Miller struck out five and walked two.

"I thought it was a great outing for him. I was excited because of all the hard work he's putting in and he deserves moments like that," manager Torey Lovullo said.

"For us to send him back out in the eighth inning meant a lot to him, I'm sure, but it also helped us win the ballgame by the way he performed today, and that's what it's all about," the manager said. "He was just very effective and controlled all the pitches in all innings. I think he had only one inning where he threw more than 20 pitches. That's crucial."

Tomas' line-shot homer to left capped the four-run fifth and gave the Diamondbacks a 7-1 lead. His second, it went an estimated 378 feet. Paul Goldschmidt was aboard on a walk and Jake

Lamb on an RBI single. Arizona's Chris Ianetta homered to right-center off Zach Lee in the eighth, his second. Padres starter Jarred Cosart (0-1) left after 3 2/3 innings with a strained right hamstring. He came out after walking Brandon Drury with the bases loaded. Craig Stammen came on and promptly threw away Chris Owings' comebacker for a two-run error.

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"It was a tough loss," San Diego manager Andy Green said. "Today's game is just that kind of a painful baseball game where you lose your starter when he's throwing very, very well."

Cosart allowed three runs, one earned, and two hits. He struck out two and walked two.

Cosart said he got hurt running out a bunt in the third inning.

"It didn't quite feel right and then progressively pitch by pitch the next inning it started getting tighter and tighter," Cosart said. "I continued to try to get through it. I was hoping it was a cramp or something like that and it just didn't go away and it started affecting command a lot, and that's when I came out and it was done."

REBUILDING WOES

The game got so out of hand that 33-year-old Padres shortstop Erick Aybar made his big league pitching debut in the eighth, taking over from Bethancourt to get Chris Hermann to ground out.

"I started cranking my arm toward him at shortstop to see if he wanted to pitch and he cranked it back at me," Green said. "So at that point I felt like Christian had thrown enough pitches, and frankly at some point in time you've got to smile, you've got to enjoy the moment, that smile relaxes them going into tomorrow and I think Erick coming in relieves a little bit of the tension from the game today."

As it is, the Padres are experimenting with having Bethancourt pitch. Normally, he's a catcher. He allowed two unearned runs and one hit in one inning, with two strikeouts and two walks.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke (1-1, 4.32) looks to bounce back from a 7-1 loss to Clayton

Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 8-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 16 career starts against San Diego. Padres: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (1-2, 7.80), who spent part of the 2015 season with Arizona, is scheduled to make his fourth start for San Diego. He is 5-3 in 14 career appearances, including 13 starts, with a 3.04 ERA against the Diamondbacks.

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Andy’s Address, 4/18

Andy addresses Córdoba, positive signs, Perdomo

Bill Center

Look for Rule 5 draft pick Allen Córdoba to make a start at home over the next three days . . . possibly even at shortstop.

“I can’t say enough good things about Córdoba,” Padres manager Andy Green said Tuesday as the Padres prepared to open a six-game homestand at Petco Park with the first of three against the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

“If you back through Córdoba’s evolution in spring training, he was a guy in the very beginning who was overwhelmed and rightfully so coming from rookie ball. There were weeks when it didn’t look he was going to get it. Once he settled in and started to play baseball, you saw the skill set that the scouts loved.”

“Yesterday he was facing two really good pitchers. That walk late in the game was as good an at-bat as we’ve had all season long and that home run . . . Córdoba’s flying all over the field. He comes up to me after the game apologizing for not making diving catches in left field to help win that baseball game.”

“He wants to win. He wants to be a part of this. There is nothing more we can ask. He’ll be getting more and more starts. I don’t know how many, but I expect to see him out there sometime this series. I have tons of confidence in him in left field. I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. He could start at short.”

“He’s gonna get chances. You can’t emphasize enough where he’s come from. In one sense it’s unprecedented. You can’t make a huge deal about it, but it is a huge deal. He’s not treading water, he’s having competitive at-bats every time up.”

Green then talked about his team’s 5–9 start and four straight losses at Atlanta to close the road trip.

“Two weeks into the season, don’t get too high and too low,” said Green. “Don’t alter the path. Big clutch swing from (Austin) Hedges needs to be celebrated. We have room for improvement. We know that. Coming home, we face a tough opponent in Arizona. They’re leading the National League West.

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“But nothing shows in two weeks. About a quarter of the way through, you know. It’s premature to make declarations of who we are right now. I know what I want us to be. That was a tough way to lose a game . . . fight back, have guys on mound you want and not have it go your way.”

“Arizona is swinging the bats well and pitching well. We have to control the running game. It’s a good offensive club, swinging the bats from top to bottom. Shelby Miller looks markedly better than he did a year ago. We have to attack his hard stuff.”

After playing a night game in Atlanta Monday, the Padres arrived back in San Diego around 2 a.m. Tuesday. “I was hoping for a 15-inning game last night to get back around 6 in the morning and really give us something to talk about.”

“The schedule this month is about as tough as it gets. But this group of guys is together. They enjoy each other. They made the most out of this . . . flying home in pajamas.”

Green said he expected Jarred Cosart to go six innings Tuesday night. “Six strong innings is my hope,” said Green. “His stuff plays well against them, but he has to execute. Cosart flew back Sunday night.”

Right-hander Luis Perdomo will throw an extended bullpen session Wednesday. “I think he’ll be ready to go without a rehab assignment,” said Green. “He feels really good.”

Right-hander Carter Capps is scheduled to pitch in El Paso Tuesday night.

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Padres On Deck: Single-A LHPs

Lauer, Headean Sharp in Defeats

SS Javier Guerra hits first homer for Single-A

Lake Elsinore

By Bill Center

Left-handed starters Eric Lauer and Will Headean turned in strong performances in the Padres’ minor league system Monday night.

Lauer, 21, allowed one unearned run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts for Advanced Single-A Lake Elsinore. Lauer, was the Padres’ third pick in the first round (25th overall) in last June’s draft out of Kent State. He is ranked as the Padres’ №10 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He has a 3.72 earned run average after two starts.

Headean, 23, allowed one run on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in five innings for Single-A Fort Wayne. Headean, a 13th-round pick in the 2015 draft, has a 2.45 ERA after two starts.

Shortstop Javier Guerra (.140) drove in two runs with his first homer of the season for Lake Elsinore.

Around the farm:

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (5–7) — RENO 13, Chihuahuas 2: 2B Carlos Asuaje (.189) was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk with a run scored. Starting RHP Jake Esch (0–1, 7.71 ERA) allowed four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. RHP Andre Rienzo (5.68) allowed three runs on three hits with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. RHP Michael Dimock (14.54) allowed six runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings. C Rocky Gale finished the game on the mound — his first appearance as a pitcher in his professional career — and allowed a hit with a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. The Chihuahuas activated RHP and returned outfielder Nick Buss to extended spring training.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (6–5) — Arkansas 3, MISSIONS 1: Starting RHP Cesar Vargas (0–2, 5.73 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. RHP Rafael De Paula (0.00) allowed a hit with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. RHP Trey Wingenter (4.15) allowed a hit and two walks in a scoreless inning. RHP Justin

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Hancock (7.20) allowed a run on two hits with a strikeout in an inning. DH Nick Schulz (.333) was 2-for-4 with his third homer of the season. RF Franmil Reyes (.279) was 2-for-4.

ADVANCED SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (3–8) — INLAND EMPIRE 7, Storm 3: C Austin Allen (.214) had two doubles in four at-bats with a RBI. LHP Jose Castillo (7.11 ERA) followed Lauer and took the loss, allowing two runs on a hit and a walk in 1 1/3 innings. RHP Jose Ruiz (12.00) allowed four runs on four hits and a walk without retiring a hitter. RHP Gerardo Reyes (0.00) worked two-thirds of a scoreless inning with a strikeout.

SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (3–8) — West Michigan 3, TIN CAPS 2 (13 innings): RHP Phil Monroe (1.80 ERA) followed Headean and allowed a hit and a walk with a strikeout in three scoreless innings. RHP David Bednar (1.29) allowed a walk with two strikeouts in two otherwise perfect innings. RHP Wilmer Torres (0–1, 7.50) allowed a run on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two innings to suffer the loss. 2B Reinaldo Ilarraza (.244) was 2-for-6 with a double. RF Jorge Oña (.302) was 2-for-6. 1B G.K. Young (.273) was 3-for-4 with a solo homer and a walk.

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This Day in Padres History, 4/18

“Gavvy” Cravath debuts, Gwynn has 5 hits

By Bill Center

April 18, 1908 — This pre-dates the Padres, but this is the anniversary of the first player from San Diego County debuting in the Major Leagues. Clifford Carlton “Gavvy” Cravath, who was born just south of Escondido in what is now Poway, debuted with the Boston Braves. Cravath led the National League in home runs five times and when he retired at the age of 39, Cravath was the all-time home run leader with 119.

April 18, 1977 — Catcher Gene Tenace and third baseman Doug Rader combine for nine RBIs in Atlanta’s 12–6 win in Atlanta. Tenace is 3-for-4 with two home runs, including a grand slam, for five RBIs and three runs scored. Rader was 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs.

April 18, 1993 — Tony Gwynn goes 5-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored and third baseman Gary Sheffield hits two homers for five RBIs as the Padres defeat St. Louis 10–6 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

April 18, 1994 — Center fielder Derek Bell has two homers for five RBIs as the Padres defeat the Mets 6–3 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

April 18, 2004 — Ryan Klesko caps a four-run ninth with a three-run, walk-off homer as the Padres come from behind to defeat Arizona at Petco Park.

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Padres Fall to the Diamondbacks in Game One

of Series Shortstop Erik Aybar Makes First Career Pitching Appearance

By MJ Acosta

After a seven game road trip, the Padres were back in San Diego Tuesday night to host the

Arizona Diamondbacks in the first of a three game series. Right handed pitcher Jarred Cosart

was on the hill for San Diego but left in the fourth inning with a hamstring strain.

Friars first baseman, Wil Myers got things started with an RBI in the bottom of the third

which scored center fielder Travis Jankowski. That was Myers 22nd hit of the season and his

10th RBI. That got the Padres on the board to take a 1-0 lead.

The Diamondbacks jumped ahead in the top of the fourth inning driving in three runs.

However, it was in the top of the fifth inning that things got out of control. The Padres could

not put a stop to Arizona. Outfielder Yasmany Tomas nailed a three run homer to give the

Diamondbacks a 7-1 lead.

The Arizona bats didn’t stop there; they added four more runs and put themselves at a healthy

advantage with an 11-1 lead in the ninth inning. With the Padres bullpen struggling, skipper

Andy Green replaced righty Christian Bethancourt with shortstop Erik Aybar on the mound.

In his first career pitching experience, Aybar forced a ground out from Arizona catcher Chris

Herrmann to end the inning.

There was another first in this game. Padres Catcher Luis Torrens got his first career hit when

he scored on an RBI single to center field in the ninth. That would make it 11-2 in favor of the

Diamondbacks and that was the final score. The Padres face the Diamondbacks in game two

of the series on Wednesday April 19th at Petco Park.