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Padres Press Clips Sunday, July 30, 2017

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Padres back Dinelson Lamet in fourth consecutive victory UT San Diego Lin 2

Padres to activate Solarte, Hedges on Sunday UT San Diego Lin 5

Minors Adrian Morejon strong in TinCaps debut UT San Diego Sanders 8

First pitch: Wil Myers to get three days off UT San Diego Sanders 11

Suddenly-surging Padres trip Pirates MLB.com Cassavell/Berry 13

Pirela’s versatility , speed keep him in lineup MLB.com Ruiz 16

Padres set to welcome back Hedges, Solarte MLB.com Cassavell 18

Maton unfazed by high-leverage situations MLB.com Ruiz 20

Padres aim for sweep behind Richard MLB.com Ruiz 22

Lamet sharp for Padres , who beat Pirates 4-2 Associated Press AP 24

Padres On Deck: Austin Allen Has 2 of Storm’s 7 Homers FriarWire Center 26

This Day in Padres History, 7/30 FriarWire Center 29

Aaron Judge is slumping, but Mark McGwire’s rookie Newsday Marcus 30

HR mark still is in reach

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Padres back Dinelson Lamet in fourth consecutive victory

Dennis Lin

Jose Pirela needed a change of pants.

He had just slid into third for the second time in three innings. His uniform already

had been dirtied by his earlier dash around the bases. Now, a hole had opened in the

fabric near his right thigh.

Such efforts carried the Padres to a 4-2 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates on

Saturday. They claimed their fourth consecutive victory with enough offense and a

strong performance by Dinelson Lamet. The rookie right-hander carried a shutout bid

into the seventh. He faltered there, but the Padres withstood a charge.

They never trailed. Lamet overcame a 27-pitch first inning. He took the mound in the

second with a 2-0 lead.

Manuel Margot had led off the bottom of the first with a single, stolen second and

advanced to third. Pirela, who started at first base while Wil Myers received a

breather, had tripled to right. Hector Sanchez had rifled a double.

Lamet seemed emboldened by his advantage. He struck out two of the Pirates’ three

batters in the second. Another 1-2-3 inning ensued.

“I knew I had thrown a lot of pitches there (in the first inning),” Lamet said through

an interpreter. “So going forward, from the second inning on, I was really just trying

to be efficient and get outs early in the count.”

In the bottom of the third, Lamet cheered as a teammate dashed around the bases.

One of the Padres’ most welcome surprises of the season, Pirela added another

moment to a growing résumé. The 27-year-old lined a drive to the gap in right-center.

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He sped past second, headed, again, for third. He ruined his outfit, but joined select

company.

Pirela, who has consistently hit near the top of the Padres’ order since his June 6 call-

up, became the eighth major leaguer this season with two triples in one game. In

franchise history, only 15 others have accomplished the feat.

“He’s been hitting balls hard ever since he’s been here,” manager Andy Green said.

“You look up, every day he’s in the middle of something special for us. He’s been a

huge part of what we’ve been able to do over the last month and change. Been a real

pleasant surprise this year. Just continues to play really, really well. Wherever you

stick him on the field, he gets the job done, and then it’s really about his bat.”

Before 2017, Pirela had appeared in 59 major league games across parts of three

seasons. This year, he has played in 43, hitting .298 with 24 extra-base hits.

“It’s something I’ve honestly been waiting for my whole career,” Pirela said through

an interpreter. “It’s pretty hard to show what you can do when you’re only getting a

chance to play every now and then. I think that’s it. I am getting that opportunity

finally, and I’m able to show what I can do as a player and how I can help the team.”

After the bottom of the third, Pirela found time to slip on a fresh pair of pants.

Meanwhile, Lamet continued mowing through the Pirates’ order.

Relying on a formidable fastball-slider combination, the pitcher retired an 11th

consecutive batter to end the top of the fourth. After a Hunter Renfroe double gave

him a 3-0 lead, Lamet returned to the mound for the top of the fifth.

David Freese’s leadoff single represented Pittsburgh’s first hit of the night. Adam

Frazier followed with a single of his own. Lamet’s defense picked him up. Francisco

Cervelli lined into a double play. A fly out stranded Freese.

Soon, Margot padded the lead, launching his third home run in four games. Lamet

threw up another 1-2-3 inning.

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In the seventh, he lost control. He hit a batter, walked another and threw two wild

pitches. Craig Stammen replaced the rookie. Up again, Freese notched an RBI single.

Another single loaded the bases. A run scored during a double play. Phil Maton

entered and halted the rally with a strikeout.

“I probably should have grabbed him after he hit (Andrew) McCutchen, but you want

to see how a young guy rebounds,” Green said. “Looking at our schedule, if nothing

changes with the roster construction, his next start is next Satruday. So you’re looking

at two extra days off. So let’s go up over 100 pitches, show what you’ve got.”

Lamet finished with 104 pitches, surpassing his previous career high by eight. Over

six-plus innings of two-run ball, he allowed two hits and two walks. He struck out

seven.

“He was around the zone pretty much most of the day,” Green said. “It wasn’t

pinpoint command, but we really don’t look at him as that type of pitcher at this point

in time anyway. It’s stuff over location, and it’s trusting that that stuff’s electric

enough that if you mix it effectively, it’s going to get batters out, and it did that. I

thought he did a really good job.”

In what has become a familiar sight, the Padres’ bullpen closed out a victory. Maton

reemerged for the eighth and successfully worked around a leadoff single.

Brad Hand, who had saved each of the previous three games, remained seated as

Kirby Yates jogged in for the ninth. Three batters later, Yates, an April waiver claim,

had earned his first save of the season and lowered his ERA with the Padres to 1.78.

“He’s thrown the ball really well for us,” Green said. “He’s been another great pickup,

in the same way Brad Hand was last year.”

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Padres to activate Solarte, Hedges on Sunday

Dennis Lin

The Padres expect to activate Yangervis Solarte and Austin Hedges on Sunday

morning before their series finale against Pittsburgh. Hedges is scheduled to catch

left-hander Clayton Richard, while Solarte will start somewhere in the infield, though

it won’t be at shortstop.

Both players returned from brief rehab assignments to take batting practice Saturday

at Petco Park. Solarte, San Diego’s everyday second baseman until he suffered a left

oblique strain last month, went 2-for-7 with a walk over two games with Triple-A El

Paso. He played nine innings of shortstop Friday as he prepared to offer the Padres

some flexibility.

With second baseman Carlos Asuaje and third baseman Cory Spangenbergproducing,

the Padres would prefer to keep both players in the lineup. Meanwhile, manager Andy

Green considers Solarte a more natural fit at shortstop than Asuaje or Spangenberg.

“I think it’s probably going to be our best option at this point in time, between those

three guys, if you’re trying to run all of them out there in the lineup on a consistent

basis,” manager Andy Green said. “The nice thing about Soly is he can play second a

day, play short a day, play third a day, stay in the lineup every single day, do what he

does very well, which is be versatile and swing the bat.”

Green said he had penciled Solarte in at a non-shortstop position for Sunday. The

manager, who declined to reveal his choice, indicated that Solarte will start at short in

the near future.

Solarte’s major league experience in the six-hole consists of eight appearances in 2014

— five with the Yankees, then three with the Padres.

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“I played behind Derek Jeter when he got a day off, and when they traded me to San

Diego I play third base and play shortstop, too,” Solarte said. “It was a long time ago,

but I don’t care. … I try to do my best at every position. You never know. I just try to

help the team and be ready.”

Hedges has not played for the Padres since July 14, when he sustained a minor

concussion taking a foul ball off his face mask. As scheduled, he played five innings in

an Arizona Rookie League game Friday. He went 0-for-3 at the plate.

“Caught fine, didn’t necessarily swing the bat very well,” Green said. “We weren’t

really concerned about that. We just wanted to make sure his head was OK. He felt

good that way.”

Hedges and Solarte’s returns will necessitate a pair of corresponding roster moves.

“I think it’s well within the realm of possibility that we look to move a guy out of the

bullpen back down to Triple-A, considering the multiple days off we have coming up

in the next week,” Green said.

Three-day reset In his latest attempt to spark the Padres’ most important player, Green has resorted

to giving Wil Myers consecutive games off. The first baseman was not in Saturday’s

lineup, and Green said he would not be in Sunday’s either. Jose Pirela assumed

Myers’ typical spot Saturday, playing first and batting third.

Since a scorching April, Myers has yet to go on a sustained run of offensive success.

He recently homered on three consecutive days but was 2-for-17 since. His average

(.246) and on-base percentage (.326) have sunk to season lows.

“He gives an unbelievable amount of effort every single day,” Green said. “You look

around baseball, you see times where guys just take a couple days off. Couple that

with an off-day (Monday), it ends up being three days, and give him a chance to

regroup and get going back in the right direction.

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“Completely my decision. Just felt like it was best for him at this point in time, as

hard as he’s been grinded, to step back. Last year, I remember Justin Upton going

through that with Detroit. I think he had three consecutive days off, and next thing

you know with him, he comes back and gets two to three hits every single day.

Sometimes, it’s nice just to take a step back, and we’ll take that approach with him

here, and hopefully he takes off from it.”

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Minors

Adrian Morejon strong in TinCaps debut

Jeff Sanders

Again, Adrian Morejon remained in complete control in his Midwest League debut.

The 18-year-old left-hander didn’t walk a batter and allowed just one run on five hits

in five innings in low Single-A Fort Wayne’s 3-2 win over Dayton, Morejon’s first start

since a promotion to the full-season team.

Morejon struck out two and threw 57 of his 77 pitches for strikes in the no-decision.

After starting the season at short-season Tri-City, Morejon – who signed out of Cuba

last summer for a club record $11 million – has a 3.35 ERA, 37 strikeouts and just

three walks in 40 1/3 innings. Six of his eight starts have come without issuing a free

pass.

Right-hander Lake Bachar (1-0, 2.25) struck out four over the final four innings for

the win. He scattered a run on two hits and no walks.

Second baseman Reinaldo Ilarraza (.221), center fielder Buddy Reed (.231) and

catcher A.J. Kennedy (.152) all drove in one run, while designated hitter Marcus

Greene Jr. went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

The TinCaps are 22-13 in the second half and 48-57 overall.

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (52-55)

• Round Rock 9, Chihuahuas 2: LHP Dillon Overton (3-4, 7.35) struck out three

and allowed eight runs – seven earned – on 11 hits and two walks in five

innings. CF Travis Jankowski stole his second base and went 1-for-4 in the

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rehab game and 1B Christian Villanueva (.304) went 2-for-4 with a double and

two runs scored.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (20-16, 61-45)

• Frisco 2, Missions 1: RHP Chris Huffman (4-4, 3.26) allowed two runs on seven

hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. RHP Cesar Vargas (3.11) struck out three

over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. 2B Noah Perio (.265) went 2-for-4 with a double

and RF Franmil Reyes drove in San Antonio’s lone run on a sacrifice fly. INF

Luis Urias remained out of the lineup with an ankle sprain.

HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (14-22, 49-57)

• Storm 18, Visalia 1: RHP Jacob Nix (4-3, 4.32) got back on track with seven

innings of one-run ball. He struck out eight and scattered five hits and a walk. C

Austin Allen (.300) drove in six runs on four hits, including a double and two

homers. His 18 blasts are tied for most in the system with Christian Villanueva

and Jabari Blash. Also going dee in the game were C Kyle Overstreet (.320) with

his fourth homer, RF Edwin Moreno (.277) with his eighth, CF Michael Gettys

(.262) with his 11th, 1B Fernando Perez (.283) with his fifth and 3B Carlos Belen

(.247) with his ninth.

SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (23-21)

• Vancouver 5, Dust Devils 4: LHP Thomas Cosgrove (0-1, 5.51) allowed five runs

on six hits and two walks in four innings. LF Robbie Podorsky (.371) went 4-for-

5 with a triple, his 10th steal and a run scored and CF Tre Carter (.229) went 2-

for-4 with a triple, his seventh steal and a run scored.

ROOKIE AZL PADRES1 (15-13)

• Athletics 7, Padres 4: RHP Michell Miliano (0-1, 9.00) struck out three, but

allowed two runs on three hits in an inning in his second pro appearance. LHP

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Danny Sexton (5.91) allowed five runs – four earned – in 3 1/3 innings. CF

Angel Santos (.320) went 2-for-2 with a run scored and CF Jeisson Rosario

(.287) walked and swiped two baes. 2B Esteury Ruiz (.371) went 0-for-3 with a

strikeout.

Notable

• The DSL Padres (17-29) and the Padres’ second AZL team (15-12) were all

rained out on Saturday.

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First pitch: Wil Myers to get three days off

Jeff Sanders

Andy Green is giving Wil Myers the day off. In fact, he’s giving his scuffling first

baseman three days off – Saturday’s game, Sunday’s game and Monday’s off-day.

The hope is an extended mental break can jump-start Myers’ bat.

“We’re just letting him take a step back, reboot and re-center,” the Padres’ second-

year skipper said after penciling Jose Pirela into the lineup at first base. “He gives

an incredible amount of effort every single day. You take a look around baseball and

you see times when guys take a couple days off and couple that with off days and they

get a chance to regroup and get going in a different direction.”

Myers could use a new trajectory.

He hasn’t had a two-hit game since July 16, one of just two in a month in which he’s

hitting .195/.287/.390. Over that stretch, Myers has struck out 30 times in 22 games

to up his total to an NL-worst 127 in 100 games this season.

For the season, Myers hitting .246/.326/.463 and is tied for the team-lead in homers

(20) with Hunter Renfroe. His 49 RBIs are also tops on the team, but he has just

seven this month.

At last, a winning month With two games left, the Padres are 13-10 in July, their first winning month since

going 13-11 in July 2015. The Padres haven’t managed back-to-back winning months

since 2013 (May-June).

“Obviously we’re pleased things are moving in the right direction, especially with the

noise that's been around the trade deadline and losing three guys and bouncing back

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from that and winning games again,” Green said. “I feel good about those things, but I

don't get too caught up in winning months or winning streaks.”

Notable

• INF Yangervis Solarte (oblique) returned to San Diego after playing all nine

innings at shortstop in Friday’s game in El Paso. He was 2-for-7 with two RBIs,

a walk and two strikeouts in two rehab games. Solarte will be activated Sunday.

• C Austin Hedges (concussion) will also be activated Sunday after catching

five innings on Friday in the Arizona Rookie League. Hedges went 0-for-3 with

two strikeouts.

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Suddenly-surging Padres trip Pirates

By AJ Cassavell and Adam Berry / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- Jose Pirela tripled twice, Manuel Margot homered, and the suddenly red-hot

Padres put another dent in the Pirates' playoff push Saturday night.

San Diego's 4-2 victory -- its fourth straight -- dropped the Bucs 5 1/2 games back of the Cubs in

the National League Central race. Dinelson Lamet, whose nasty slider was in full effect, carried

a no-hit bid into the fifth inning and was victorious for a second consecutive start. The rookie

right-hander allowed two runs on two hits while striking out seven over six-plus frames.

"It wasn't pinpoint command," said Padres manager Andy Green. "We really don't look at him as

that type of pitcher anyway. It's stuff over location. And it's [about] trusting that. That stuff's

electric enough that if you mix it effectively, it's going to get batters out. It did that."

The Pirates have dropped six of their last seven games, and righty Ivan Nova was roughed up in

the bottom of the first inning. He allowed two runs on four hits in the frame, though he would

settled down a bit and last through five.

Hunter Renfroe tacked on an RBI single in the fourth and Margot added his eighth homer of the

season an inning later. He smashed an 0-1 changeup from Nova off the second deck of the

Western Metal Building.

"Just missing my pitches. I didn't make pitches when I had to," said Nova, who placed the blame

on his control more than his stuff. "They're a young team, really aggressive. They put some

good swings on it."

• Location issues haunt Nova

The Pirates finally got to Lamet in the seventh, scoring twice. But reliever Craig

Stammen got Francisco Cervelli to bounce into a pivotal double play with the bases loaded. Two

batters later, Phil Maton struck out Jose Osuna, ending the threat.

With Brad Hand on the shelf after saving three straight games, Kirby Yates cruised through a

perfect ninth for his first save since 2014. He struck out a pair and has fanned 54 hitters in 35

1/3 nnings since he was claimed by the Padres in late April.

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"He's thrown the ball really well for us," Green said. "He's been another great pickup, in the

same way Brad Hand was last year."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

No way, Jose: The first of Pirela's two triples got the Padres on the board in the bottom of the first

inning. After Margot led off with a single, Pirela smashed a line drive that one-hopped the right-

field wall. He would come around to score on Hector Sanchez's double. Pirela's third-inning triple

made him the 15th Padre with multiple triples in the same game and the first since Nick

Hundley did so in 2011. More >>

"It's pretty hard to show what you can do when you're only getting a chance to play every now

and then," said Pirela, who has 24 extra-base hits since his June callup. "I think that's it. I am

getting that opportunity finally, and I'm able to show what I can do as a player and how I can

help the team."

Double trouble: The Pirates didn't touch Lamet until the fifth inning, when Freese broke up his

early bid at a no-no with a single. Adam Frazier followed suit with a single as well. With two on

and nobody out, Cervelli smacked a sharp liner right at second baseman Carlos Asuaje, who

doubled Freese off second base. Jordy Mercer then popped to left, and the Bucs' rally ended as

quickly as it began.

"Double plays are pitchers' best friends," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "You're starting to

hunt there again. You're starting to get in position to maybe have a big inning. Then you get two

outs in one swing, that can be challenging. We do it to other teams. We got it done to ourselves

a couple times tonight."

QUOTABLE

"We just keep hunting. We just keep playing. You don't get concerned about all that other noise,

because that's what it is. You've got to take care of your own team. You've got to take care of

yourselves. That's what we need to do right now."-- Hurdle, on the Pirates' losing streak and

standing in the division

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Among qualified relievers, no National League pitcher has a higher swing-and-miss rate than

Kirby Yates' 18.1 percent mark this season. But on his two strikeouts Saturday, Freese and

Cervelli went down looking. Yates is the sixth different Padre to record a save this season.

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The Pirates had five hits, all singles, snapping a streak of 59 straight games with an extra-base

hit that dated back to May 22.

WHAT'S NEXT

Pirates: The Pirates will try to avoid a sweep with Gerrit Cole on the mound Sunday afternoon at

Petco Park. Cole, looking to finish a strong month, is set to start the series finale -- and the

Bucs' final game before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. Cole has posted a 2.52 ERA in

four starts this month, all wins for Pittsburgh. First pitch is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. ET.

Padres: Yangervis Solarte and Austin Hedges are expected back from the disabled list Sunday

when the Pirates and Padres conclude their three-game set at 1:40 p.m. PT. Clayton

Richard starts for San Diego, looking to put his recent struggles behind him.

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Pirela's versatility, speed keep him in lineup

By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- Jose Pirela had a pair of triples Saturday, but he lost a pair of pants.

In San Diego's 4-2 victory against the Pirates, Pirela tied a franchise record, becoming the first

Padre with two three-baggers in a single game since Nick Hundley in 2011. But Pirela's historic

night couldn't save his pants.

As he slid into third to complete his second triple, the back of his right pant leg ripped. Once the

third inning ended, he changed into another pair, able to laugh about the mishap after the game.

"We've got plenty of pairs here," Pirela said through a team interpreter. "This is a professional

team, so we've got plenty of everything."

Pirela went hitless in the new pair of pants, but he continued to provide the Padres with the

fierce bat he has been since being promoted in early June. While playing four positions and

starting in the top six spots in the lineup, Pirela has constantly provided offense.

After short stints with the Yankees and Padres the past three years, Pirela is batting .298 with

an .835 OPS in a career-high 43 games. The 27-year-old finally has his first extended

opportunity.

"It's something I've honestly been waiting for my whole career," Pirela said. "It's pretty hard to

show what you can do when you're only getting a chance to play every now and then. I think

that's it. I am getting that opportunity finally, and I'm able to show what I can do as a player and

how I can help the team."

Batting third and playing first base Saturday, Pirela became the 15th Padre with two triples in a

game, done twice by only former outfielder and current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

With Wil Myers, San Diego's regular first baseman and No. 3 hitter, getting the night off,

manager Andy Green could plug in Pirela with no drop in production.

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"He's been hitting balls hard ever since he's been here," Green said. "It's not soft off his bat at

all. He's hitting balls hard. Takes an aggressive pass, puts good at-bats together. You look up,

every day he's in the middle of something special for us."

Pirela's first triple gave the Padres a lead they retained throughout Saturday's contest.

After Manuel Margot led off the bottom of the first with a single, he stole second before

advancing to third on a Carlos Asuaje flyball. Pirela then traded places with him, lacing the first

pitch he gto from Ivan Nova over right fielder Adam Frazier. It bounced off the wall and back

behind Frazier, allowing Pirela to flash his speed.

"My speed game is something I've always cared about or always taken care of," Pirela said. "I

think it is one of the reasons that I'm still here and playing the way I am today."

Unfortunately on Saturday, his speed cost him his pants.

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Padres set to welcome back Hedges, Solarte

Catcher, infielder likely to return from disabled list

Sunday

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- Two key pieces are set to return to the Padres' lineup on Sunday

afternoon. Austin Hedges is expected back behind the plate after two weeks on the disabled list

with a concussion. And Yangervis Solarte will return from a left oblique strain -- though his

position remains a bit of a mystery.

Solarte, who spent the first three months at second base, strained his oblique in Chicago in late

June. With the emergence of Carlos Asuaje at second, it's likely Solarte will move around the

diamond, playing third base and even some shortstop.

"I'm always taking ground balls," Solarte said. "For me, you never know [where you'll be

needed]. I try to do my best at every position. You never know. I just try to help the team and be

ready."

Solarte hasn't played shortstop since 2014. He played nine innings there in a Triple-A rehab

game on Friday night.

Padres manager Andy Green said Solarte would not start at shortstop on Sunday. But he could

see time there later this week.

"The nice thing about Soly is he can play second a day, play short a day, play third a day,"

Green said. "[He can] stay in the lineup every single day, do what he does very well, which is be

versatile and swing the bat."

As for Hedges, he sustained his concussion taking a Brandon Belt foul ball off his mask on July

14. He caught five innings in the Arizona League on Friday.

"It was frustrating," Hedges said. "Each day I was feeling a little bit better, but didn't know what

that meant. I was just searching for what normal felt like again. It's felt like a lot longer than two

weeks."

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Since the injury, Hedges has made some adjustments to his mask, adding a bit more padding.

"There are some new masks, technologies that I'm looking into," Hedges said. "It's definitely not

super comfortable, but it's going to keep me safer."

To clear room for Hedges and Solarte, the Padres are likely to option an infielder and a reliever.

On the surface, lefty Kyle McGrath and shortstop Dusty Coleman -- both called up earlier this

week -- seem the likeliest options.

"No secret we have some roster decisions to make," said Green, who also noted that the two

off-days this week will give Hedges and Solarte ample time to re-acclimate themselves.

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Maton unfazed by high-leverage situations

Rookie showing his stuff in revamped Padres' bullpen

By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- When right-hander Phil Maton is on the mound, he gives Padres manager Andy

Green a vibe similar to that of the All-Star reliever the rookie could soon replace as San Diego's

ninth-inning man.

Monday's trade with the Royals sent closer Brandon Maurer and setup man Ryan Buchter to

Kansas City, giving Maton an opportunity to pitch in more high-leverage situations. He took

advantage of his first shot Thursday, retiring all four batters he faced and striking out the side in

the eighth inning of a two-run game.

The trade also moved All-Star left-hander Brad Hand into the closer role. Hand, whose third

save in three days Friday gave him a 19-outing scoreless streak, could soon be traded as well,

potentially opening the closer's role for Maton.

Maton showed well again in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Pirates, as he tossed 1 1/3 scoreless

innings with two strikeouts.

"Phil's not scared of anything," Green said. "He's got some of the same Brad Hand demeanor.

No situation fazes him. He's going to give you his best stuff."

Maton, 24, didn't allow a run in his first 10 Major League outings. He has a 2.95 ERA, striking

out 24 in 21 1/3 innings while posting a 0.85 WHIP.

Maton said he was sad to lose a pair of mentors, but he's excited for his rise up the Padres'

bullpen ladder.

"They helped me out a lot," Maton said. "... It's just a matter of doing what I can to help fill that

void that Maurer and Buchter left in our bullpen. Guys are going to have to step up, and

hopefully, I'm one of them.

"High-leverage baseball, it's what I signed up for."

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This is only Maton's second month in the big leagues. He isn't preoccupied with closing games,

but simply pitching well enough to stay in San Diego. He knows his role could change further if

Hand gets moved, but Maton is content learning from the Padres' veterans, Hand included.

"Just the way he attacks hitters, the way he handles himself on the mound is something I feel

everyone should try to emulate," Maton said. "Just goes about it the right way, works hard.

Perfect person to try to copy."

Maton served as a closer during his rapid rise through the Minors after San Diego drafted him in

2015, but as a result, he didn't get much experience entering with runners already on base,

which Green identified as a role Maton is still learning.

Green said it also has been nice to see Maton use his slider more often recently. In the Minor

Leagues, Maton relied on his high-spin fastball. His four-seamer has the 33rd-highest average

spin rate in baseball, per Statcast™, allowing him to be effective as a reliever despite throwing

only nine of his 205 fastballs above 94 mph.

"Sometimes, the guy that's got that good of a fastball gets overly reliant on it," Green said. "At

the big league level, guys hit fastballs. That's just what they do. His willingness to mix in the

fastball [and] mix in the slider plays."

Maton has altered his throwing program, putting more emphasis on pregame work than in-game

adjustments so his arm is more rested and ready to face Major League batters.

"Closing's a lot of fun, so if that's what they want me to do, I'm happy with it," Maton said, "but if

not, I'm just as happy being here and filling whatever role they need me to do."

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Padres aim for sweep behind Richard By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com

When the Pirates and Padres take the field for their series finale Sunday at Petco Park, it's

possible it will be the last time their rosters take the field as currently composed.

Neither team plays Monday, when the non-waiver Trade Deadline could shake up rosters

across the league. The Pirates are a team in limbo that could both buy and sell, while the

Padres, in the midst of a rebuild, have many tradeable assets, including Sunday starter Clayton

Richard.

A free agent after the season, Richard could prove more valuable to the Padres as an innings-

eater and clubhouse leader.

Opposing him will be right-hander Gerrit Cole, himself a rumored trade candidate earlier in the

season who's now likely to stay put through the deadline. Cole has had a strong July thus far,

with a 2.52 ERA in 24 innings as the Pirates have won all four of his starts.

"You take the one month where there were some challenges; balls were elevated, and they

didn't get missed. Outside of that, his stuff has played," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

"Take away the four starts in that span, it's been bottom of the zone, finish with velocity, spin to

the slider and breaking ball, changeup to both sides. It's been really good."

Things to know for this game:

● Out of the lineup Saturday, Padres first baseman Wil Myers will also get the day off Sunday,

manager Andy Green said. With Monday's scheduled off-day, Myers will get a three-day break

to "reboot, recenter," Green said. Myers is hitting .246 this season.

"He gives an unbelievable amount of effort every single day," Green said. "... Sometimes, it's

nice just to take a step back, and we'll take that approach with him here, and hopefully, he takes

off."

● The teams' closers, both of which are left-handers, have excelled as of late. Pittsburgh's

Felipe Rivero entered Saturday's game having not allowed a run in his past 10 appearances,

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while San Diego's Brad Hand has 19 straight scoreless outings after earning his third save in as

many nights Friday.

● While Cole has feasted in July, it's been nothing but famine for Richard since the end of June.

The veteran left-hander has gone 0-4 in his past five starts, allowing 63 baserunners in 27 2/3

innings. His 8.78 ERA is the highest of any starter in that span.

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Lamet sharp for Padres, who beat Pirates 4-2

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Dinelson Lamet needed 27 pitches to get through the first inning. He settled down quite nicely from there. Lamet pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning and fellow rookie Manuel Margot homered and scored twice, leading the San Diego Padresto a 4-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night. "It was something that I was aware of and I focused on," Lamet said through a translator "I knew after that first inning that they had made me work and I had thrown a lot of pitches there. So going on from the second inning on, I tried to get outs early."

Lamet (5-4) held the Pirates hitless until David Freese and Adam Frazieropened the fifth with singles. The right-hander got Francisco Cervelli to line out to second baseman Carlos Asuaje, who doubled off Freese. Jordy Mercer flied out to end the inning. Lamet was pulled after the first two batters reached in the seventh. Craig Stammen came in and Freese responded with an RBI single. Adam Frazier then singled before Cervelli hit into a double play, bringing in Josh Bell. After Mercer walked, Phil Maton came in and struck out pinch hitter Jose Osuna to end the inning. "I was honestly just focused on getting deep into the game. ... I wanted to throw at least seven innings," Lamet said.

"He did a great job tonight," manager Andy Green said. "He was around the zone pretty much most of the day. It wasn't pinpoint command, but we don't really look at him as that type of pitcher. It's stuff over location. It's trusting that stuff. It's electric enough that if he mixes it effectively he's going to do a good job." San Diego stretched its win streak to four. Pittsburgh lost its fourth straight and sixth in seven games overall.

Kirby Yates pitched the ninth for his first save of the season and second of his career. Pittsburgh right-hander Ivan Nova (10-8) was charged with four runs and eight hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked none. San Diego jumped on Nova for two in the first. Margot singled and scored on Jose Pirela's first of two triples. Hector Sanchez added a run-scoring double. Rookie Hunter Renfroe hit an RBI double in the fourth, and Margot added his eighth homer in the fifth. Pirela went 2 for 4 and scored a run. He is filling in at first base while slumping Wil Myers gets two games off.

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The Pirates have been frustrated in the first two games of the series.

"We need to show up tomorrow," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We need to shower well tonight and show up tomorrow and win a ballgame."

The Pirates are struggling to stay in the NL Central race while the Padres are buried in fourth place in the West.

"You keep playing," Hurdle said. "You don't get concerned about all that other noise, because that's what it is. You've got to take care of your own team, you've got to take care of yourselves, and that's what we need to do right now."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: Hurdle said OF Gregory Polanco (hamstring) is getting close to coming off the disabled list. Padres: C Austin Hedges(concussion) and 2B Yangervis Solarte (strained side muscle) are scheduled to come off the disabled list on Sunday. Solarte could play some shortstop. UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (8-7, 4.12 ERA), who lives in Santa Ana and played at UCLA, is scheduled to start the series finale Sunday. He is 5-1 with a 3.04 ERA in his last eight starts, and 3-1 with a 1.52 ERA in four career starts against San Diego. Padres: LHP Clayton Richard (5-11, 5.37 ERA) has a 2.01 ERA in eight appearances against the Pirates, including three starts.

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Padres On Deck: Austin Allen Has 2

of Storm’s 7 Homers

Morejon allows 1 run in 5 innings in first Fort

Wayne start

By Bill Center

Advanced Single-A catcher Austin Allen continued his assault on California League pitching Saturday night. And this time he had a lot of help.

Allen, who was the league’s Player of the Week each of the past two weeks, was 4-for-6 with a double, two homers and six RBIs as the Storm had a total of seven homers in an 18–1 win at Visalia. Allen also scored three runs while raising his batting average to .300.

Other Storm homers were hit by Michael Gettys, Fernando Perez, Carlos Belen, Edwin Moreno and Kyle Overstreet.

Right-handed starter Jacob Nix (4–3, 4.32 ERA) allowed a run on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in seven innings for the Storm.

Elsewhere in the Padres’ system:

— Left-handed starter Adrian Morejon, the Padres’ sixth-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, allowed a run on five hits with two strikeouts in his first start since being promoted to Single-A Fort Wayne.

— Left fielder Robbie Podorsky (.371) was 4-for-5 with a triple and a stolen base and a run scored for short-season Single-A Tri-City.

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Around the Farm:

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (52–55) — ROUND ROCK 9, Chihuahuas 2: 1B Christian Villanueva (.304) was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. 2B Diego Goris (.286) was 1-for-4 with a RBI. DH Travis Jankowski (.207) was 1-for-4 with a stolen base. SS Chase d’Arnaud (.377) was 1-for-4. Starting LHP Dillon Overton (3–4, 7.35 ERA) allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits and two walks with three strikeouts in five innings. RHP Logan Bawcom(2.70) allowed a run on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts in two innings. RHP Adam Cimber (3.56) struck out two in a perfect inning.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (20–16, 61–45) — Frisco 2, MISSIONS 1: Starting RHP Chris Huffman (4–4, 3.26 ERA) allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks with a strikeout in 5 2/3 innings. RHP Cesar Vargas (5.75) allowed a hit in two scoreless innings. RHP Trey Wingenter (1.96) issued a walk in an otherwise perfect inning. 2B Noah Perio (.265) was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. RF Franmil Reyes (.260) was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly. 1B Josh Naylor (.258) was 1-for-3.

ADVANCED SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (14–22, 49–57) — Storm 18, VISALIA 1: 3B Belen (.247) was 2-for-5 with a double and his homer for four RBIs. CF Gettys (.262) was 2-for-4 with a walk, a hit-by-pitcher with three runs scored and his homer. 1B Perez (.283) was 2-for-5 with a double, his homer, a hit-by-pitcher and two runs scored. Moreno (.277) was 2-for-4 with a walk, his homer and three runs scored. Overstreet (.320) had a double and his homer in five at-bats with two RBIs and two runs scored. CF Rod Boykin (.338) had a double and a triple in five at-bats with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored. LHP Thomas Dorminy (3.26) followed Nix and allowed a hit with a strikeout in s scoreless inning. RHP Gerardo Reyes (1.93) allowed a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning.

SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (22–13, 48–57) — TIN CAPS 3, Dayton 2: Starting RHP Lake Bachar (1–0, 2.25 ERA) followed Morejon and allowed a run on two hits with four strikeouts over four innings to get the

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win. 2B Reinaldo Ilarraza (.221) was 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a RBI. SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.270) was 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored. DH Marcus Greene Jr. (.276) had a double in three at-bats with a run scored. CF Buddy Reed (.231) was 1-for-3 with a stolen base, a run scored and a RBI. C A.J. Kennedy (.152) was 1-for-3 with a RBI.

SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI CITY (4–3, 23–21) — VANCOUVER 5, Dust Devils 4: CF Tre Carter (.229) was 2-for-4 with a triple and a steal for a stolen base in support of Podorsky. 2B Kelvin Melean (.238) was 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a RBI. 3B Luis Almanzar (.219) and RF Greg Lambert (.286) were each 1-for-4 with a run scored. SS Justin Lopez (.260) was 1-for-5 with a RBI. Starting LHP Thomas Cosgrove (0–1, 5.51) allowed five runs on six hits and two walks in four innings to suffer the loss. RHP Andres Munoz (5.27) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in a scoreless inning. RHP Trevor Megill(0.00) struck out five in two scoreless innings. RHP Jose Galindo (0.00) struck out the side in a perfect inning.

ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE PADRES-1 (15–13) — ATHLETICS 7, Padres-1 4: OF Angel Santos (.320) was 2-for-2 with a run scored. 1B Jason Pineda(.302) was 1-for-3 with a RBI. RF Christopher Bono (.263) and SS Yordi Barley (.281) each had a double in three at-bats with a run scored. C Jose Lezama (.350) had a RBI double in three at-bats. RHP Michell Miliano (0–1, 9.00 ERA) allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts in an inning. LHP Danny Sexton (5.91) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. LHP Eduardo Solano (7.36) issued two walks with three strikeouts in 1 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings. RHP Korey Anderson (0.00) issued a walk with a strikeout in an otherwise two perfect innings.

ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE PADRES-2 (15–12) — The Padres-2 game was postponed.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (17–29) — The Padres had a doubleheader rained out Saturday.

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This Day in Padres History, 7/30

One-hitters, trades, Upton’s rain-delayed homer,

big hits by Denorfia, Nettles

By Bill Center

July 30, 1977 — Outfielder George Hendrick has two doubles and a homer in five at-bats for five RBIs in a 8–6 Padres win over the Mets in New York.

July 30, 1984 — Left-handerDave Dravecky pitches the ninth one-hitter in Padres history, shutting out the Dodgers on one-hit and four walks with four strikeouts in a complete-game, 12–0 win at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

July 30, 1985 — Third baseman Graig Nettles drives in five runs with two home runs in a 9–3 win over Cincinnati at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

July 30, 1988 — Pinch-hitter Carlos Hernandez hits a tie-breaking, two-run, pinch-hit double in the top of the 10th to lead the Padres to a 3–1 win over the Mets in New York.

July 30, 2005 — Phil Nevin traded to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Chan Ho Park.

July 30, 2009 — Outfielder Will Venable goes 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs in the Padres’ 7–4 win at Cincinnati.

July 30, 2015 — Left fielder Justin Upton hits a three-run, ninth-inning homer to give the Padres a come-from-behind, 8–7 win over the Mets in a rain-delayed game at CitiField in New York. The Padres were a strike away from losing before the delay interrupted Upton’s at-bat.

July 30, 2016 — The Padres trade right fielder and home run leader Matt Kemp to the Atlanta Braves.

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Aaron Judge is slumping, but Mark McGwire’s rookie HR mark still is in reach By Steven Marcus

On April 29, after hitting his 10th home run in his 21st game of the season, Aaron Judge

was asked what he thought about hitting 60 this year. “Anything’s possible,’’ he said.

Judge, who had 30 home runs before the All-Star break, said this past week that he

hasn’t given Mark McGwire’s rookie record of 49 homers (with the 1987 Oakland A’s) a

thought.

“No. My main concern is to keep getting wins in that column. That’s the main thing.,” said

Judge, who hit his 33rd home run Friday night. “All the other stuff will take care of itself. I

focus on my job, which is to drive people in who are on base and get on base for people

behind me. If I do that, I think everything else will take care of itself.”

Judge should finish with at least the second-highest home run total by a rookie. Wally

Berger (1930 Boston Braves) and Frank Robinson (1956 Cincinnati Reds) each finished

with 38. That, however, might not satisfy the ravenous appetite of the homer-hungry fan

base that the 6-7, 282-pound Judge established with his huge first half and his colossal

display in winning the Home Run Derby.

Are the expectations too weighty? Fans expect a long ball every at-bat. “They can’t wait

to see what’s possible,’’ Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s very grounded and he

understands that great hitters hit .300 and you’re going to make outs and you’re going to

strike out.

“When he goes through a hard time, people are like, ‘Uh- oh, uh-oh,’ but what I’ve seen

so far [is] he’s built to handle it.’’

31

Girardi thinks McGwire’s record is within reach. “I think it’s definitely possible,” he said.

“It’s not something that’s really entered my mind, but I think it’s possible, yeah.’’

Before the All-Star break, Judge had a .329/.448/.691 slash line with 30 homers and 66

RBIs in 84 games. He had struck out 109 times in 301 at-bats.

After going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts Saturday, he was hitting .170 with three home

runs and eight RBIs in 15 games since the break. He had struck out 23 times in 53 at-

bats.

The operative theory for Judge’s reduced numbers since the break is that pitchers are

figuring out how to throw to him. Judge disagrees.

“No, it’s been about the same, to be honest,’’ he said. “They’re still trying to do the same

kind of thing. It’s a chess match out there. Sometimes, the first at-bat, they’re going to try

to come in on you. Maybe the next at-bat, they’re going to go off-speed. Third at-bat,

they’ll try to go away.

“It’s about making adjustments. They’ve been pitching me all sorts of different ways, in

the first half and the second half. It’s my job to keep adjusting, sticking to my plan,

sticking to my strengths and try to execute it.”

Retired Yankee Alex Rod riguez, who is fourth on the all-time home run list with 696,

was asked if power hitters carry an extra burden because pitchers are either trying to

pitch around them or give them little to hit.

“Yes, but Aaron can use that to his advantage,’’ Rodriguez said in an email. “Patience

and discipline will be one of the keys for him to continue to dominate . . . The biggest

difference is from now on, he is the focal point of every team and pitcher he faces.’’

On April 29, after hitting his 10th home run in his 21st game of the season, Aaron Judge was asked what he thought about hitting 60 this year. “Anything’s possible,’’ he said.

32

Judge, who had 30 home runs before the All-Star break, said this past week that he

hasn’t given Mark McGwire’s rookie record of 49 homers (with the 1987 Oakland A’s) a

thought.

“No. My main concern is to keep getting wins in that column. That’s the main thing.,”

said Judge, who hit his 33rd home run Friday night. “All the other stuff will take care of

itself. I focus on my job, which is to drive people in who are on base and get on base for

people behind me. If I do that, I think everything else will take care of itself.”

Judge should finish with at least the second-highest home run total by a rookie. Wally

Berger (1930 Boston Braves) and Frank Robinson (1956 Cincinnati Reds) each finished

with 38. That, however, might not satisfy the ravenous appetite of the homer-hungry fan

base that the 6-7, 282-pound Judge established with his huge first half and his colossal

display in winning the Home Run Derby.

Are the expectations too weighty? Fans expect a long ball every at-bat. “They can’t wait

to see what’s possible,’’ Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s very grounded and he

understands that great hitters hit .300 and you’re going to make outs and you’re going to

strike out.

“When he goes through a hard time, people are like, ‘Uh- oh, uh-oh,’ but what I’ve seen

so far [is] he’s built to handle it.’’

Girardi thinks McGwire’s record is within reach. “I think it’s definitely possible,” he said.

“It’s not something that’s really entered my mind, but I think it’s possible, yeah.’’

Before the All-Star break, Judge had a .329/.448/.691 slash line with 30 homers and 66

RBIs in 84 games. He had struck out 109 times in 301 at-bats.

After going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts Saturday, he was hitting .170 with three home

runs and eight RBIs in 15 games since the break. He had struck out 23 times in 53 at-

bats.

33

The operative theory for Judge’s reduced numbers since the break is that pitchers are

figuring out how to throw to him. Judge disagrees.

“No, it’s been about the same, to be honest,’’ he said. “They’re still trying to do the same

kind of thing. It’s a chess match out there. Sometimes, the first at-bat, they’re going to try

to come in on you. Maybe the next at-bat, they’re going to go off-speed. Third at-bat,

they’ll try to go away.

“It’s about making adjustments. They’ve been pitching me all sorts of different ways, in

the first half and the second half. It’s my job to keep adjusting, sticking to my plan,

sticking to my strengths and try to execute it.”

Retired Yankee Alex Rodriguez, who is fourth on the all-time home run list with 696, was

asked if power hitters carry an extra burden because pitchers are either trying to pitch

around them or give them little to hit.

“Yes, but Aaron can use that to his advantage,’’ Rodriguez said in an email. “Patience

and discipline will be one of the keys for him to continue to dominate . . . The biggest

difference is from now on, he is the focal point of every team and pitcher he faces.’’

JOINING MCGWIRE

Judge became only the second rookie to hit at least 30 homers before the All-Star break

(McGwire had 33). Mc Gwire had 37 homers by July 30 in 1987.

Former Yankee John Habyan, who lives in Nesconset and is an assistant coach at

Hofstra, was pitching for the Orioles when he gave up McGwire’s 42nd homer that

season. “When you have a rookie sometimes, you don’t know what his weakness is,’’ he

said. “You’re kind of just going after a guy until you figure it out.’’

In 1987, McGwire hit 15 homers in May but only three in August. He came back with

nine in September.

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“It was a mixture of, I think, [pitchers adjusting] and playing at the big-league level on an

everyday basis,’’ said McGwire, now the Padres’ bench coach. “It’s not easy. The travel,

the wear and tear. Somewhere, somehow, in these six months, you’re going to have a

down time where things aren’t going to go well for you. That’s everybody who’s ever

played this game. I think back 30 years ago, that’s a long time ago.”

McGwire said he did undergo the same scrutiny that Judge and Dodgers rookie Cody

Bellinger, who had 28 homers through Friday, are facing now.

“Obviously, today, people pay attention to things on so much of a greater scale,’’

McGwire said. “Back then, it’s definitely not as big as what they’re going through right

now as far as a chance of breaking it, and probably shattering it. Judge and Bellinger are

set up perfectly to break it, and we’ll see what happens. They’re really fun to watch.

“It’s just ironic how it took 31 years [for McGwire to break the rookie record that

Robinson tied in 1956] and now at 30 years, they’re doing it. I’ve always been one of

those guys that thinks that records are meant to be broken. And if it happens this year,

I’d be happy to hand it off to either one of them.”

Rene Lachemann was a coach with the A’s when McGwire set the rookie record.

McGwire, who played in 151 games, averaged one home run every 3.08 games.

“You saw the power and it was evident he was going to [break the record] unless he was

involved in any kind of an injury,’’ Lachemann, 72, said from Scottsdale, Arizona. “It’s a

game of adjustments, and right now Judge is getting some people to make adjustments

to him. Nowadays, especially with guys throwing 95 to 100 miles an hour and all the

relievers you got coming in and you only see them once.”

McGwire, who hit 583 homers in a 16-year career from 1986 to 2001, said in a published

statement in 2010 that he used steroids in 1998 when he hit 70 homers, breaking Roger

Maris’ record of 61 set in 1961. Mc Gwire said he first used steroids in the 1989-90

offseason.

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Rodriguez has said he used steroids for a three-year period beginning in 2001 when he

was with the Rangers. He was suspended for the 2014 season as a result of the

Biogenesis probe into performance-enhancing drugs. Major League Baseball recognizes

all records set in the so-called Steroid Era.

Jose Abreu, the American League Rookie of the Year for the White Sox in 2014, had 29

homers before the All-Star break that year despite missing 14 games with left ankle

tendinitis. He totaled 36 in 145 games.

White Sox hitting instructor Todd Steverson said Abreu was content to hit for a high

average in the second half after pitchers didn’t give him much to hit.

“If you look back at the history of homers, everybody gets all hyped up about first-half

home runs,’’ Steverson said. “The second half of the season when you’re playing

contending teams, they’re not going to let you beat them. They’re just not going to offer

you much. ‘I’m going to see if I can get you to chase a pitch. If you don’t, you walk and I’ll

deal with the next guy.’ Judge is going to run up against that.’’

HR DROUGHTS ARE EXPECTED

Lee Elia was Rodriguez’s hitting coach for his first five years with the Mariners. The true

home run hitter, Elia, 80, said from Odessa, Florida, “understands that when he comes

up, he’s not going to get anything to hit. When you’re out there in front of 50,000 people,

it gets tougher and tougher and the pressure starts to build within your body.’’

Jim Thome, 46, who hit 612 homers in a 22-year career that ended in 2012, said of

Judge, “From a fundamental end, where he’s at the plate, it’s all great stuff.’’

Thome, who will be on the ballot for the Hall of Fame in 2018, is a special assistant to

the general manager of the White Sox and an analyst for the MLB Network. “Every

player, no matter if you have one to 15 or 20 years’ experience, goes through slides

during the course of the year,’’ Thome said from Chicago. “I think when you get a big guy

36

in the lineup, I think these guys are always looking like ‘don’t let him beat you.’ A guy

gets 30 homers and the league goes, ‘Wait a minute, now let’s really dissect this.’ ’’

Then-Tigers rookie catcher Matt Nokes hit 32 homers in 1987, the same year McGwire

set the record. “I think the more you play, the better the pitchers get to know you,’’

Nokes, 53, said from San Diego. “I want to know what Aaron Judge’s nitro zone is. When

pitchers get to know where your bread and butter is, it does become more difficult.’’

Former pitcher Dan Plesac gave up McGwire’s 33rd homer in 1987. “McGwire was a

notoriously low-ball hitter,’’ said Plesac, 55, a studio analyst for the MLB Network. “You

couldn’t throw it too low or too hard that he won’t hit it. Aaron Judge is a much better

hitter right now than Mark McGwire was at this stage if he continues to lay off the bad

breaking pitches particularly from righties, the sliders and balls down and away. He’s

going to strike out, but I’ve been unbelievably impressed with his discipline.’’

NO MORE DRILLING

In years past, rookies who showed home run power early on were dealt with from the

mound, said Ron Kittle, 59, who lives in Mokena, Illinois, and was reached during a

vacation in Alaska.

Kittle, who hit 35 for the 1983 White Sox, said he fell short of the then-record 38 because

“my elbows, wrist and shoulders couldn’t hold up to getting drilled. Nowadays, it’s like

more of a free swing. You can’t pitch hardly anybody inside. Somebody asked me what

pitches I got and I said fastball at my face and changeups and sliders away.’’

Rookie records were not highly publicized when Berger hit his 38 for the 1930 Braves.

Seven years later, the Tigers’ Rudy York challenged with 35. “He talked more about his

18 home runs in one month that broke Babe Ruth’s record of 17,’’ York’s son Joseph

said from Jackson, Mississippi. “He was hitting home runs at a pace faster than Babe

Ruth at that time.’’

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In 1963, Jimmie Hall hit 33 for the Twins, and for him, it was more about overtaking the

31 hit by future Hall of Famer Ted Williams for the Red Sox in 1939. “I was just like any

other rookie they were trying to figure out,’’ Hall, 79, said from Wilson, North Carolina.

“Now Judge, he’s something else. He’s as big as a stadium.’’