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Padres Press Clips Sunday, July 9, 2017

Article Source Author Page

Carlos Asuaje helps Padres past Phillies UT San Diego Lin 2

Padres plan post-break rotation UT San Diego Lin 4

MacKenzie Gore debuts at No. 31 in Baseball America's UT San Diego Sanders 5

top 100

Chacin solid, Hedges delivers as SD stays hot MLB.com Zolecki/Cassavell 7

'Feisty' Asuaje making most of regular at-bats MLB.com Cassavell 10

Hand ready for whirlwind All-Star week MLB.com Cassavell 12

Padres able to sign their first 18 Draft picks MLB.com Cassavell 14

Cahill gets start with Padres looking to sweep MLB.com Cassavell 15

Padres benefiting from Green's lineup changes Padres.com Center 16

Hedges, Chacin lead Padres past Phillies 2-1 Associated Press AP 18

Padres On Deck: Tatis Jr. Joins MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 FriarWire Center 20

Prospect List with Big Night

Lower Township's Matt Szczur embraces role with Padres Press of Atlantic City McGarry 23

and charity work

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Carlos Asuaje helps Padres past Phillies Dennis Lin

In the top of the seventh inning Saturday, Carlos Asuaje narrowly missed hitting the first home run of his career. A drive off the rookie’s bat traveled approximately 400 feet, glancing off the top of the right-center-field wall at Citizens Bank Park.

Asuaje, who bolted out of the batter’s box and slid headfirst into third base, settled for his first major league triple and a game-tying RBI. Three pitches later, he was rewarded for his hustle. Austin Hedges, the hero of Friday night’s game here, lined an opposite-field single. Asuaje trotted into home.

That run proved decisive in a 2-1 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. With one game left before the All-Star break, the Padres clinched their first above-.500 road trip since June 2016. San Diego has won 10 of its last 15, including five of its last six.

“I wasn’t really thinking about a triple or a double or a homer out of the box,” Asuaje said. “I was just thinking about getting that run in. That’s the most important thing. After that, I’m happy I ran hard, got to third and was in scoring position for Hedgey.”

Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin continued his recent run of solid starts, throwing 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball. The only damage against him came on a home run by Maikel Franco, that giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the fifth.

Chacin would have had to settle for, at best, a no-decision had it not been for Asuaje, who is capitalizing on regular playing time. In two previous call-ups — a two-game cameo in May, a stint last September — he had been relegated to bench duty. Late last month, starting second baseman Yangervis Solarte suffered an oblique strain, resulting in unprecedented opportunity for Asuaje.

“It’s a confidence booster for sure, knowing that you’re in the lineup consistently, getting consistent at-bats, getting your timing down on an everyday basis,” said Asuaje, who is 15-for-47 (.319) since rejoining the Padres. “It’s one of those things where the more you play, the more confidence you get, especially if you’re performing up to standards, helping your team win.”

Asuaje’s offensive approach has been a welcome addition for the Padres, who rank last in the majors in average and on-base percentage. The second baseman struck out three times Saturday, setting a career high, but he also saw 21 pitches over those at-bats.

“He doesn’t want to hear this because no little guy likes to, but it’s feisty all the time,” manager Andy Green said. “Every single at-bat he has is feisty. He doesn’t quit. Even when he punches out, he does not like that at all. He’s going in every at-bat giving you everything he’s got. That triple was huge for us.”

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Aaron Nola, who yielded two runs over eight innings, blanked the Padres until the seventh. Hunter Renfroe opened with a double off the cup of his bat, initially thinking he had popped up. He later scored on Asuaje’s two-out triple.

Renfroe exited the game after that, with Matt Szczur taking over in right field in the bottom of the inning. Green said Renfroe had “felt something tighten up in his neck.” On Friday, the rookie had had a pitch ricochet off his left forearm.

“It’s been a rough last couple days,” Green said. “My immediate thought is to give him (Sunday) down and just extend the All-Star break for him.”

The manager lifted Chacin after the Phillies put two on with one out in the seventh. Relievers Kirby Yates, Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer each recorded a scoreless appearance, helping Chacin earn his eighth win.

After some early-season inconsistency, Chacin has logged a quality start in six of his last seven outings, posting a 2.44 ERA in that span.

“I didn’t feel my stuff was really well today, but I made good pitches,” Chacin said. “My velocity was the same. I just think I was keeping the ball down.”

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Padres plan post-break rotation Dennis Lin

In order to manage the workloads of their two youngest starting pitchers, the Padresplan to push Luis Perdomo and Dinelson Lamet to the back of their rotation after the All-Star break. Manager Andy Green said Saturday that veterans Clayton Richard, Jhoulys Chacin and Trevor Cahill will pitch during San Diego’s three-game series against San Francisco next weekend. Perdomo and Lamet will start the Padres’ ensuing two games on the road at Colorado.

Perdomo totaled 146 2/3 innings over 35 appearances, including 20 starts, as a Rule 5 draftee last season. So far in 2017, the 24-year-old has posted a 4.54 ERA, striking out 69 batters and walking 30 over 83 1/3 innings. Perdomo missed two starts in April because of shoulder inflammation.

Lamet, also 24, has made eight starts since he was promoted from Triple-A El Paso in late May. He has posted a 5.93 ERA over 41 innings, striking out 55 and walking 15. Before his call-up, he had worked 39 innings for El Paso this season. In 2016, he threw a combined 150 innings across three minor league levels.

While Perdomo and Lamet could develop into rotation fixtures for the Padres, Richard, Chacin and Cahill are all on one-year contracts. Of the three, Cahill has drawn the most trade interest. After missing seven weeks due to a shoulder strain, the 29-year-old made an encouraging return from the disabled list Tuesday, lowering his ERA to 2.96 with 4 1/3 scoreless innings at Cleveland.

Cahill will start the Padres’ final game of the first half Sunday, and could make several more starts before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Draft wrap-up The Padres announced they had signed 31 of their 41 selections from the June draft. Additionally, San Diego reached deals with six undrafted free agents. The deadline to sign draftees was Friday.

The Padres came to agreements with all of their selections in the first 17 rounds. The highest pick to go unsigned was right-hander and LSU commit Cam Sanders, whom San Diego took in the 18th round. Other notable players who did not sign included Jake Lyons (22nd round), Daniel Cabrera (26th) and Kevin Abel (35th).

Including the undrafted free agents, the Padres signed four catchers, eight infielders, five outfielders, 12 right-handers and eight lefties. Twenty-seven of the additions were college players, while the other 10 signed out of high school.

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MacKenzie Gore debuts at No. 31 in Baseball America's top 100 Jeff Sanders

MacKenzie Gore has not thrown a pitch yet in the Padres’ organization. He’s still considered one of the top arms in the farm system – and all of minor league baseball.

At least according to one publication.

Baseball America updated its top-100 prospects list Friday with the 18-year-old Gore debuting at No. 31 on the list.

Right-hander Cal Quantrill – who is headed to the All-Star Futures Game – jumped from No. 78 to No. 21, infielder Luis Urias moved from No .57 to No. 37, left-hander Adrian Morejon moved up six spots to No. 85 and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. debuted at No. 101.

Meantime, right-hander Anderson Espinoza – who is still building up his arm strength after forearm soreness delayed the start of his season – dropped from No. 29 to No. 64.

Gore’s position isn’t all that much of a surprise.

The Padres drafted him third overall in June, signing him to a club-record $6.7 million bonus before sending him their spring training facilities in Peoria, Ariz. There, Gore has thrown two bullpens and a live batting practice, is scheduled for another on Saturday and is likely two weeks away from game action.

The Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, Gore was 11-0 with an 0.19 ERA and 158 strikeouts against five walks over 74 1/3 innings his senior year of high school.

“He’s looked very, very good,” Padres farm director Sam Geaney said of his department’s first impression. “He’s very intelligent, very competitive — he’s everything our amateur scouts said. He should fit in well with the rest of our young players.”

At high Single-A Lake Elsinore, the 22-year-old Quantrill is 6-5 with a 3.67 ERA, 76 strikeouts and 24 walks in 73 2/3 innings in his first full season since returning from Tommy John surgery.

The youngest player in the Texas League and a starting shortstop in the circuit’s all-star game, the 20-year-old Urias is hitting .304/.400/.402 with two homers, 24 RBIs and more walks (44) than strikeouts (41).

The 18-year-old Morejon is 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA, 17 strikeouts and one walk allowed in 19 innings since starting his pro career at short-season Morejon. Like Gore in the amateur draft, Morejon

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set a franchise international amateur free agent record when he signed for $11 million out of Cuba.

Also one of the youngest players in his league, the 18-year-old Tatis is hitting .274/.362/.472 with 13 homers, 42 RBIs and 16 steals at low Single-A Fort Wayne.

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Chacin solid, Hedges delivers as SD stays

hot By Todd Zolecki and AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | July 8th, 2017

PHILADELPHIA -- Padres right-hander Jhoulys Chacin can enjoy himself a little more during the All-

Star break.

He allowed just three hits, two walks and one run, with six strikeouts, in 6 1/3 innings Saturday in a 2-1

victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Chacin has been solid in his final seven starts before the

break, posting a 2.44 ERA (12 earned runs in 44 1/3 innings) to lower his ERA from 5.77 to 4.32.

"[Phillies starter Aaron] Nola was pitching a really good game, so I knew it was going to be a close

game," Chacin said. "I was just trying to keep my team there, give them a chance to score some runs for

me."

With another lock-down effort from the bullpen, the Padres secured their first series victory in

Philadelphia since 2009. San Diego has won five of six overall, clinching the first winning road trip of the

season in the process.

"It's a nice road trip," said Padres manager Andy Green. "It's not going to be a great one until we finish it

off tomorrow."

Nola also finished the first half strong. He allowed just four hits, two walks, two runs and struck out nine

in eight innings. He has a 1.53 ERA in his past four starts, and a 2.61 ERA in his past seven.

"It's just knowing what I can do and finding my delivery again," Nola said. "I'm trying to stay with my

plan. I try to have good work weeks in between each game and stay healthy. I think it's just getting ahead

in counts and getting the leadoff hitter out. I think that's been key for me. It definitely makes pitching

more fun and less stressful when you do that."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Asuaje, Hedges strike: Padres catcher Austin Hedges hit the game-winning single in the seventh inning,

less than 24 hours after he homered twice and hit a game-winning sacrifice fly Friday. The inning started

when Hunter Renfroe dropped a double over Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph down the right-field

line. The hit surprised Renfroe, who initially thought the ball was foul. Nola retired the next two batters,

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but Carlos Asuaje smashed a clutch triple off the right-field wall to score Renfroe and tie the game.

Hedges followed with a single to right to score Asuaje and give San Diego the lead.

"I wasn't really thinking about a triple or a double or a homer out of the box," Hedges said. "I was just

thinking about getting that run in. That's the most important thing."

Yates is great: Chacin allowed a one-out walk to Nick Williams and a double to Joseph to put runners on

second and third in the bottom of the seventh, but Padres right-hander Kirby Yates worked out of the

jam. He got Maikel Franco, who homered in the fifth, to pop out to Erick Aybar and Andrew Knapp to

fly out to left field to end the inning. Since joining the Padres as a late-April waiver claim, Yates has

posted a 1.98 ERA.

QUOTABLE

"Personally, I think [Odubel] Herrera is going to hit .280 or more. He's just going through a period where

he doesn't look right at the plate. I'm looking for consistency. I don't know what I'm going to get with

every at-bat, and because of that, I'm going to try to make some adjustments. But I don't plan on doing

that for the whole season, hopefully not."

-- Mackanin, after pinch-hitting rookie Cameron Perkins for the left-handed-hitting Herrera in the eighth

inning against Padres left-hander Ryan Buchter

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Padres have won six games this season in which they've recorded five hits or fewer. That's the

second-best mark in baseball, behind only the Dodgers.

RENFROE BANGED UP

Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe felt his neck lock up on his rally-starting seventh-inning double. He

hit the ball awkwardly -- off the top of the bat -- and was initially unsure where it went. Once he realized

it stayed fair down the first-base line, he hustled into second. But he was replaced by Matt Szczur in the

bottom half of the frame.

"He felt something tighten up in his neck, and he wasn't able to move around really well," Green said. "He

finished off the bases there. It's been a rough last couple days. My immediate thought is to give him

tomorrow down and just extend the All-Star break for him."

Renfroe exited Friday's game in the ninth after being hit by a pitch in the left wrist.

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LIVELY OPTIONED

The Phillies announced after the game that they had optioned rookie right-hander Ben Livelyto Triple-A

Lehigh Valley to make room for starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff, who will be activated Sunday. Lively

went 1-4 with a 3.80 ERA in seven starts.

"Lively's start won't come up for 10 days, and we want to keep him in the rotation, whereas [Mark] Leiter

can be used out of the bullpen," Mackanin said.

WHAT'S NEXT

Padres: Trevor Cahill eyes a strong finish to a solid -- albeit injury-plagued -- first half in the finale of a

three-game set at Citizens Bank Park. In his return from a shoulder strain earlier this week, Cahill held the

Indians scoreless over 4 1/3 frames. First pitch is slated for 10:35 a.m. PT.

Phillies: The Phillies finish the first half of their season in Sunday's 1:35 p.m. ET series finale against the

Padres. Right-hander Jerad Eickhoff makes his first start since June 17. He has been on the 10-day

disabled list due to a strained upper back.

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'Feisty' Asuaje making most of regular at-

bats By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | July 8th, 2017

PHILADELPHIA -- The right-field wall at Citizens Bank Park towers over the adjoining fence in front of

the Phillies' bullpen. Where the two meet, there's a small strip of green padding just above the scoreboard.

In the seventh inning on Saturday, Carlos Asuaje launched a shot off that padding, missing his first

career big league home run by a foot or two in either direction.

No matter. Asuaje happily settled for a game-tying triple and, eventually, the game-winning run in a 2-1

victory over the Phillies. His clutch two-out knock plated Hunter Renfroe, and Asuaje would score one

batter later when Austin Hedges punched a single through the right side.

"I wasn't really thinking about a triple or a double or a homer out of the box," Asuaje said. "I was just

thinking about getting that run in. That's the most important thing. After that, I'm happy I ran hard, got to

third and was in scoring position for Hedgy."

Asuaje's third trip to the big leagues has, indeed, been a charm. And it's easy to see why.

He spent most of his first stint last September as the Padres' third option at second base. When he was

called up earlier this season, he made only two pinch-hit plate appearances.

This time around, he's getting an opportunity and making the most of it.

"It's a confidence-booster for sure, knowing that you're in the lineup consistently, getting consistent at-

bats, getting your timing down on an everyday basis," Asuaje said. "It's one of those things where the

more you play, the more confidence you get, especially if you're performing up to standards, helping your

team win."

With a .306 average and a .346 OPS, Asuaje is doing just that. Plus, since his mid-June callup, he has

been a boon to an offense that needed to make more contact.

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Yes, Asuaje has punched out 14 times since his return. But Green was quick to note the tenacity in his

plate appearances. On Saturday, Asuaje worked the count full in the second and fifth innings, seeing 15

total pitches before a pair of K's.

"He's a fighter," said Padres manager Andy Green. "He doesn't want to hear this, because no little guy

likes to, but he's feisty all the time. Every single at-bat he has is feisty. He doesn't quit. Even when he

punches out, he does not like that at all. He's going into every at-bat giving you everything he's got. That

triple was huge for us."

Green also noted Asuaje's improvement defensively since his callup. The Padres asked Asuaje to hone his

footwork during the offseason, and he set out to do just that during a stint in the Dominican Winter

League. It has paid off, as Asuaje's range has improved markedly.

The Padres will have a decision to make when Yangervis Solarte, the club's starting second baseman,

returns from an oblique strain. Until then, the position belongs to Asuaje.

In Green's eyes, regular playing time for a rookie is rarely a bad thing.

"It goes a long way," Green said. "Last year when he was here, he was behind [Ryan] Schimpf and

Solarte, wasn't really playing in September, was just kind of sporadically getting at-bats. He knows right

now, when he shows up to the ballpark, he's playing. That goes a long way for a young guy, to kind of

soothe him and relax him."

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Hand ready for whirlwind All-Star week

Veteran is only lefty, one of two setup men in NL bullpen

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | July 8th, 2017

PHILADELPHIA -- Brad Hand has a busy week ahead of him. The Padres' lefty reliever has a series to

finish in Philadelphia before he catches a flight to Miami, where he'll take part in two days of All-Star

festivities.

Never one to look too far ahead, Hand hasn't begun thinking about potential matchups in Tuesday's MLB

All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

"I'm really just looking forward to getting down there, enjoying it," said Hand, who owns a 2.30 ERA in

42 appearances this year. "I haven't really thought about the game yet."

Fair enough. It's Hand's first All-Star selection, after all. And he's headed back to Miami, where he was

cut before the 2016 season, eventually making his way to San Diego as a waiver claim.

With an offseason home in Jupiter, Fla., Hand's entire family will be in attendance. His All-Star batting-

practice jersey arrived in the Padres' clubhouse Saturday -- along with the toddler-sized version for his

daughter, Lila.

Right now, the game itself isn't exactly at the forefront of Hand's mind. But it's worth asking when he

might make his All-Star debut Tuesday night.

He fills a pretty clear role in the National League's bullpen. Among the six relievers on the roster, Hand is

the only southpaw. He's also one of two setup men (and the only pitcher in the group who routinely enters

games in the middle innings).

With that in mind, it's a safe guess that Hand enters a late-game platoon situation with a left-handed hitter

or two due up. Here's how Hand has fared against the four lefty hitters on the American League bench.

Yonder Alonso: 1-for-4

Robinson Cano: 0-for-1

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Mike Moustakas: 1-for-1, 2B

Michael Brantley: 0-for-1, K

Hand wouldn't mind facing any of them.

"It's going to be awesome," Hand said. "Obviously they're the best players in the game right now, so it's

going to be a cool experience. Hopefully I can get a few outs."

On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX,

and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player

Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in

Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by

partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN

Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and

SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please

visit allstargame.com.

Worth noting

• Right fielder Hunter Renfroe was back in the lineup Saturday, a day after he was plunked in the left

wrist by a 95-mph fastball. Renfroe played through the injury for three innings Friday night but was

removed in the ninth when the injury began to swell.

• The Padres plan to give young right-handers Dinelson Lamet and Luis Perdomo a breather, moving

them to the back of the rotation coming out of the All-Star break. For next weekend's three-game series

against the Giants, veterans Clayton Richard, Jhoulys Chacin and Trevor Cahill are expected to start,

in that order.

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Padres able to sign their first 18 Draft picks By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | July 8th, 2017

PHILADELPHIA -- The Padres unveiled their full list of signed Draft picks on Saturday afternoon, with

31 of 41 selections agreeing to terms -- including each of the first 18.

The club also inked six undrafted free agents before Friday's deadline passed.

Many of the most prominent names signed weeks ago, including left-hander MacKenzie Gore and

catchers Luis Campusano-Braceroand Blake Hunt. Gore, the No. 3 overall selection, was the club's

highest Draft choice since 2009. He inked a $6.7 million signing bonus, essentially the same value as his

slot.

In total, the Padres slightly exceeded their bonus pool and will pay a 75-percent tax on the overage. But

they avoided more serious penalties (such as potential loss of Draft picks) by staying within five percent

of their full pool allotment.

The highest profile absence from the list is Daniel Cabrera, who was rated the No. 55 overall prospect in

the Draft. He fell to the 26th round because of his commitment to LSU, and the Padres weren't able to pry

him away from college ball.

Nonetheless, the Friars managed to lock down quite a bit of high-school talent. They set a club record by

taking prep prospects with each of their first six picks. They signed all six, as well as their next three

high-school selections.

In total, the Padres locked up four catchers, eight infielders, five outfielders and 20 pitchers.

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Cahill gets start with Padres looking to

sweep By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | July 8th, 2017

Jerad Eickhoff returns from the disabled list Sunday afternoon as the Phillies conclude the first half of the

season with a matinee against Trevor Cahill and the Padres. Philadelphia is hoping that Eickhoff's first

game back goes as smoothly as Cahill's return to the Padres' rotation earlier this week.

Cahill, who was limited to 85 pitches in his first start since he was sidelined with a mid-May shoulder

strain, tossed 4 1/3 scoreless frames against the Indians on Tuesday. When healthy, he has been the

Padres' best starter this season, having posted a 2.96 ERA. But a pair of DL stints have limited him to just

eight starts heading into Sunday's outing.

Eickhoff, meanwhile, missed three weeks with back stiffness. He's looking to put some tough luck behind

him, as the Phillies have won just two of his 14 starts this year. Despite six quality outings, he's still in

search of his first win this season.

Things to know about this game

• Austin Hedges' 13 home runs are the most ever by a Padres catcher before the All-Star break. Hedges is

taking aim at Mike Piazza's 22 taters in the 2006 season as the most ever by a San Diego backstop.

• Eickhoff faced the Padres twice last season. He tossed seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in

Philadelphia in April. In August, however, he would allow five runs over six innings in San Diego.

Despite the contrast, the Phillies won both games.

• Tommy Joseph is the fifth first baseman in Phillies history to have 15 homers and 15 doubles before the

All-Star break. He joins a rather elite list, consisting of Dick Allen, Deron Johnson, Jim Thome and Ryan

Howard.

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Padres benefiting from Green's lineup

changes

Myers leading off biggest move since Solarte moved from

cleanup to No. 2 slot

By Bill Center / San Diego Padres | July 8th, 2017

Padres manager Andy Green has had great success this season kickstarting slumping hitters with a change

in lineup positioning.

For example, Yangervis Solarte was in a 6-for-44 slump (.136) with two doubles and one RBI over a 13-

game span while hitting fourth in the Padres lineup when Green decided to move him into the No. 2 slot

on May 23.

Solarte responded by going 15-for-44 (.341) over the next 10 games with two doubles, a homer, seven

walks, six RBIs and four runs scored. Eventually, Solarte was moved back to the No. 4 slot.

Jose Pirela was inserted into the leadoff slot shortly after joining the Padres and was 28-for-95 (.295) in

the No. 1 slot with a .343 on-base percentage. He had nine doubles, a triple and three homers for 12 RBIs

in that spot in the order.

With Wil Myers in a 1-for-19 -- with 12 strikeouts -- drought over his last five starts in his customary No.

3 spot in the Padres' batting order, Green moved him up to the leadoff spot Friday night in Philadelphia.

Myers' response -- 3-for-4 with his 16th double and 10th stolen base.

Pirela, meanwhile, hit a 450-foot homer out of Myers' normal No. 3 slot.

Myers will again hit in the leadoff slot Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia while Pirela hits third.

News and notes

• Brandon Maurer's stats during his active run of 13 straight successful conversions bears repeating.

During the 13-save run, Maurer has worked 12 innings. He has not allowed a run in those 12 innings

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while giving up only two hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts. He struck out the side in a perfect ninth

inning Friday night in Philadelphia.

• Austin Hedges' first multi-homer game Friday was the sixth by a Padre this season. The other five were

by Manuel Margot (April 7), Hunter Renfroe (June 6), Cory Spangenberg(June 11), Franchy

Cordero (June 13) and Solarte (June 17).

• Clayton Richard gave up one run on five hits over six innings Friday night. He has allowed two earned

runs or fewer in each of his four career starts at Citizens Bank Park. Richard has a career 2.53 earned run

average in South Philadelphia.

• Spangenberg was 1-for-4 Friday night and scored the game-winning run. Spangenberg has hit safely in

11 of his last 13 games, going 12-for-45 (.267) with a homer, a double, four runs scored and eight RBIs.

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Hedges, Chacin lead Padres past Phillies 2-1 Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Even without his best stuff, Jhoulys Chacin knew he needed to pitch effectively with the way his counterpart, Aaron Nola, was throwing. Chacin tossed 6 1/3 strong innings and Austin Hedges drove in the winning run for the second straight game to lead the San Diego Padres to a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Carlos Asuaje added an RBI triple for the Padres, who have won five of six.

Chacin (8-7) allowed one run and three hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

"It wasn't like I felt bad, but I didn't feel like my ball was coming out like I'm used to," Chacin said. "I knew it was going to be a close game. I was just trying to keep my team there and give them a chance to score some runs for me."

Nola (6-6) tied career-highs by going eight innings and striking out nine, but he was the hard-luck loser. Nola gave up four hits and walked two.

"That was about as sharp as I've seen anybody all year," Padres manager Andy Green said. "It was a tough matchup, but we scratched two across." Maikel Franco homered and Tommy Joseph had two hits with a double for Philadelphia, which has lost five straight and seven of nine.

"No offense once again," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "A tough loss."

Brandon Maurer pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th save. The Padres went ahead with two runs off Nola in the seventh.

Hunter Renfroe led off with a double down the right-field line. Renfroe initially thought he popped the ball up and didn't run out of the box, but he took off for second once he saw first-base umpire Chris Guccione signal fair.

"You hit the ball out of the cup of the bat and you have no clue where it's going," Green said. "That's a pretty fortuitous bounce for us that he still got to second base and set us up for that scoring opportunity."

Nola got the next two outs before Asuaje tied the game with a triple, the first of his career, off the wall in right-center. Hedges, a night after connecting on two solo homers and the game-winning

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sacrifice fly in San Diego's 4-3 win over the Phillies, followed with an opposite-field RBI single to make it 2-1.

Philadelphia threatened in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on second and third with one out. Green lifted Chacin for right-hander Kirby Yates, and the reliever got Franco to pop out behind short and Andrew Knapp to fly out to left.

"He's been huge for us," Green said of Yates.

Franco put the Phillies ahead with his 13th homer, a solo shot to deep left in the fifth.

MORE NOLA

Nola continued his strong run of late, as he is 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA in his last four starts.

"Nola was great, what a performance," Mackanin said. "He's been good for a while now."

STREAK SNAPPED

The Padres will look for a sweep in Sunday afternoon's finale of the three-game series. Saturday's win clinched a victory in the series, snapping a streak of dropping six straight series in Philadelphia.

ANOTHER ONE

Philadelphia upped its club record before the All-Star break to 23 one-run losses. The Phillies are 11-23 in one-run games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: Renfroe was back in the lineup a day after having to leave the game in the ninth inning after getting hit in the left wrist by a pitch from Nick Pivetta in the sixth inning. He left Saturday's game after running the bases in the seventh after tweaking his neck while swinging the bat and looking skyward on his double. Green said Renfroe likely wouldn't play on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP Trevor Cahill (3-2, 2.96) makes his ninth start for the Padres. He is limiting lefties to a .169 average, but righties are hitting .258 against him. Phillies: RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-7, 4.93) will make his first start since going on the DL on June 18 with an upper back strain. He will be looking for his first victory in his 15th start. To make room for Eickhoff, the Phillies optioned RHP Ben Lively to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

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Padres On Deck: Tatis Jr. Joins MLB

Pipeline’s Top-100 Prospect List

with Big Night

RHP Kelly sharp in El Paso; Allen, Guerra homer for

Lake Elsinore

By Bill Center

Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrated his addition to MLB Pipeline’s list of the 100 top minor league prospects Friday night by going 2-for-2 with a triple, his 16th homer, two walks, a stolen base and two runs scored in Single-A Fort Wayne’s 6–4 win over Lansing.

Tatis, who raised his batting average to .279, is the fifth Padre on MLB Pipeline’s list of 100 top prospects from throughout minor league baseball.

The Padres ranked among the current top 100 are: right-handed pitcher Anderson Espinoza (18th), right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill (82nd), left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon (88th), second baseman Luis Urías (94th) and Tatis (100th).

Elsewhere in the Padres’ system:

— Starting right-handed pitcher Michael Kelly allowed one run on a hit and four walks with four strikeouts in five innings in Triple-A El Paso’s 9–5 win over Salt Lake. Kelly is 1–1 with a 6.48 earned run average in two starts with the Chihuahuas. First baseman Christian Villanueva (.296) was 3-for-5 with his 16th homer, two RBIs and two runs scored.

— Catcher Austin Allen and shortstop Javier Guerra homered in Advanced Single-A Lake Elsinore’s 7–4 win at Visalia. Allen (.262) was 2-for-5 with three RBIs on his 10th homer. Guerra (.229) drove in two with his sixth homer. Left-handed starter Thomas Dorminy (2–1, 3.90 ERA allowed one hit with two walks and eight strikeouts over five shutout innings.

Around the Farm:

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TRIPLE-A EL PASO (42–46) — CHIHUAHUAS 9, Salt Lake 5: 2B Diego Goris(.280) backed Villanueva with his eighth homer in four at-bats with three RBIs. CF Angel Cordero (.316) was 2-for-5 with a run scored. 3B Ryan Schimpf (.286) was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. DH Jabari Blash (.281) was 1-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. LF Nick Buss (.387) was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly. C Rocky Gale (.275) was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. RHP Logan Bawcom (3.02 ERA) followed Kelly and allowed a run on two hits and a walk in two innings. LHP Brad Wieck (7.36) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk with a strikeout in one-third of an inning. RHP Jason Jester (7.05) allowed a run on two hits with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings to get his second save.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (9–6, 50–35): Arkansas 3, SAN ANTONIO 0: 2B Urías (.304) was 1-for-3 with a walk. 1B Nick Torres (.262) was 1-for-3. Starting RHP Brett Kennedy (7–5, 3.80 ERA) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in six innings. LHP Kyle McGrath (3.50) struck out two in two perfect innings. RHP Yimmi Brasoban (1.29) issued two walks with a strikeout in a hitless, scoreless inning.

ADVANCED SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (7–9, 42–44): Storm 7, VISALIA 4: 1B Carlos Belen (.226) backed Allen and Guerra, going 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. DH Wilfri De La Cruz (.435) was 2-for-5 with a RBI. CF Taylor Kohlwey (.238) was 3-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. LF Tyler Selesky (.150) was 2-for-4 with a run scored. RHP Zech Lemond (4.40) followed Dorminy and allowed three runs on two hits and three walks with two strikeouts in two innings. RHP Jose Ruiz (4.50) pitched a perfect inning. RHP Colby Blueberg (2.08) allowed a run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in an inning.

SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (10–6, 36–50) — TIN CAPS 6, Lansing 4: C A.J. Kennedy (.175) was 1-for-4 with a double. LF Jorge Oña (.279) was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, a RBI and a run scored. DH Marcus Greene Jr. (.286) and RF Jack Suwinski (.200) were each 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Starting RHP Jim McDade (1–1, 3.66 ERA) allowed two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings. LHP Will Headean (5.25) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout in an inning. RHP Diomer Lopez (5.02) allowed a run on three hits in an inning with for his first save.

SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI CITY (13–10) — EUGENE 5, Dust Devils 2: LF Tyler Benson (.833) was 3-for-4. 1B Bryant Aragon (.175) was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. CF Tre Carter (.253) was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. 3B Luis Almanzar (.250) was 1-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored. Starting RHP Henry Henry (0–3, 4.91 ERA) allowed three runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in four innings. LHP Thomas Cosgrove (3.36) allowed two unearned runs on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts in three innings. RHP Andres Munoz (8.10) struck out two in a perfect inning.

ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE PADRES-1 (4–7) — Mariners 8, PADRES 3: SS Jordy Barley (.333) was 1-for-2 with a home run. CF Jeisson Rosario (.317) was 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run scored. 3B Jonny Homza(.281) had a double in three at-bats with a walk and two RBIs. Starting RHP Angel Acevedo (0–1, 21.38 ERA) allowed seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. RHP Jonathadhn Guzman(6.00) allowed a hit and a walk with four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. RHPLake Bachar (0.00) allowed two hits and two walks with a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

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RHP Carlos Rivera (9.64) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in an inning.

ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE PADRES-2 (6–5) — PADRES-2 7, Royals 4: CF Robbie Podorsky (.378) was 2-for-5 with two RBIs. DH Tirso Ornelas (.305) was 2-for-5 with a RBI and two runs scored. C Janigson Villalobos (.250) was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. 2B Eguy Rosario (.429) was 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored. CF Mason House (.333) was 1-for-5 with two RBIs. SS Gabriel Arias (.162) had a triple in four at-bats with a RBI and a run scored. Starting LHP Aaron Leasher (16.88 ERA) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts and two RBIs. RHP Cory Mazzoni (0.00) struck out one in a perfect inning. RHP Emmanuel Clase (1–0, 4.09) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. RHP Jamito Lebron (15.00) allowed two hits with a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. RHP Nick Kuzia (1.93) struck out one in a perfect inning for his first save.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (10–19) — Padres 17–2, WHITE SOX 3–4: INF Luis Guzman (.216) was 3-for-9 with a double, a homer, six RBIs and two runs scored in the doubleheader split. LF Carlos Batista (.190) was 3-for-7 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and a run scored. 1B Elvis Sabala(.229) was 2-for-4 with three walks, a RBI and a run scored. SS Bryan Torres (.264) was 1-for-7 with two walks, a steal, two RBIs and two runs scored. RF Yordi Francisco (.273) was 1-for-7 with a walk, two RBIs and three runs scored. Starting LHP Carlos Valenzuela (1–1, 3.32 ERA) allowed a run on five hits and four strikeouts in six innings to win the first game. RHP Moises Lugo (1–1, 1.50) started the second game and allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts in five innings to lose the second game.

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Lower Township's Matt Szczur embraces role with Padres

and charity work

MICHAEL McGARRY Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA — Matt Szczur knows when it comes to the true meaning of sports a paint brush can be

just as meaningful as a bat or glove.

The 2007 Lower Cape May Regional High School graduate became the new man on a new team this

spring. The Chicago Cubs traded the outfielder to the San Diego Padres on May 8.

Szczur joined the Padres and did what he has done his entire athletic career — make a difference on and

off the field. He painted a portrait of former Padres great Tony Gwynn. The picture was auctioned off to

raise money for the San Diego Blood Bank last month.

“There’s a bigger purpose to this game than just playing,” Szczur said. “We can help people, kids, so

much beyond baseball. That’s why we play this game.”

Szczur, 27, and the Padres are in Philadelphia this weekend for a three-game series that concludes Sunday

afternoon.

He began Saturday batting .176 with a .333 on-base percentage. Szczur, who is signed through the end of

this season, often enters the game as a late-inning defensive replacement.

“I’m grinding right now,” Szczur said in the Padres clubhouse before Friday’s game. “I’m just trying to

help the team win every day. If I can go out there and help the Padres get Ws, that’s me doing my job. I

can’t look at it selfishly because I need to help the team right now. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

But Szczur’s value to a team cannot just be summed up with statistics alone. The Cubs designated Szczur

for assignment and traded him primarily because the defending World Champions just had too many

talented young players in their system.

“It was different,” Szczur said of the trade. “It took a little bit to get used to. But it’s great. The (Padres)

staff is great. I’m starting to have close bonds with these guys. But it’s an adjustment. It’s like being

somewhere and literally getting picked up and moved somewhere else.”

Szczur had just 23 plate appearances in 15 games for Chicago this season.

“I knew (being traded to San Diego) was an opportunity,” he said. “Being with the Cubs was awesome. I

have nothing but great things to say. But I really didn’t get an opportunity to play (in Chicago). It is what

it is. I get it. I knew the best thing for my career was to get out of there.”

The Cubs didn’t want to trade Szczur. Manager Joe Maddon called the decision to let Szczur go

excruciating. Chicago utility player Ben Zobrist wore a Lower Cape May Regional T-shirt in the Cubs

clubhouse in honor of Szczur when the Padres visited Chicago last month.

The Padres quickly learned what made Szczur so popular in Chicago.

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“He’s unbelievable person and a great teammate,” San Diego manager Andy Green said. “He’s given us

quality at-bats in the on-base department. I know his average isn’t where he wants it to be. He’s a quality

guy. As his opportunities come, if he takes them and runs with them, he’s going to continue to get more.”

And then there’s Szczur’s charity work. It began when he was a football and baseball standout at

Villanova University. He donated bone marrow in 2009 that saved the life of Ukrainian girl with

leukemia.

“That opened my eyes (that sports) is more than just a game,” Szczur said.

Szczur painted a picture of Cubs players Kris Bryan and Anthony Rizzo celebrating the final out of last

year’s World Series. It was auctioned off and raised $35,000 for charity.

Current Padres radio announcer Tony Gwynn Jr. couldn’t quite believe it when he first looked at the

picture Szczur had painted of his father, who died in 2014.

“It was amazing,” Gwynn Jr. said. “It’s pretty cool. Obviously, it being a picture of my dad it made it that

much more interesting for me. It was a cool gesture on his part to want to do something that resonated

with San Diego. It’s an unbelievable job on his part.”

Closer to home, Szczur hosted a “Szcz The Day” benefit in January to raise money for a bone marrow

fund foundation. He also runs a popular baseball camp for young players in Lower Township.

The Padres’ trip to Philadelphia came at the perfect time for Szczur. Sunday’s game begins the All-Star

break. Szczur will take a short ride and spend the break at his Lower Township home.

“It couldn’t be any better,” Szczur said. “This is as close to home as is possible. It’s great to see familiar

faces and head right home afterward.”

The past few years have seen several talented high school baseball players in Atlantic, Cape May and

Cumberland counties drafted by major league teams. Szczur, the 2007 Press Male High School Athlete of

the Year, was one of the first.

He continues to be an example of how to act on and off the field.

“It’s great to go back to Cape May and do the camps and stuff,” Szczur said. “Those kids look at me as a

professional baseball player, but they also know I came from home.”