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Padres Press Clips Wednesday, May 17, 2017 Article Source Author Page Brewers jump on Richard early in Padres' loss UT San Diego Lin 2 Hunter Renfroe made Saydee Sogard cry. The Padres UT San Diego Sanders 3 made it up to her with cupcakes. Fernando Tatis Jr. clicking atop Fort Wayne lineup UT San Diego Sanders 4 Padres preparing for first top-five draft pick since 2009 UT San Diego Lin 5 Carlos Asuaje collects first homer, three-hit game UT San Diego Sanders 7 Richard's rough inning dooms Padres vs. Crew MLB.com Cassavell/Paris 8 Renfroe shows off cannon against Brewers MLB.com Cassavell 10 Chacin looks to stay on a roll at home MLB.com Paris 12 Spangenberg displays Zobrist-like versatility MLB.com Cassavell 13 Potts, Tatis Jr. among top performers MLB.com Rosenbaum 14 TinCaps provide a glimpse of Padres' future MiLB.com Peng 16 Hunter Renfroe's walk-off HR in 10th lifts San Diego UPI Center 18 Padres past Milwaukee Brewers Padres Fall to Brewers in Lopsided Outing NBC 7 Acosta 20 Sogard has career-high 4 hits in Brewers' 6-2 win vs Padres AP AP Staff 21 Padres On Deck: Lloyd’s no-hitter puts him on FriarWire Center 23 Padres’ Prospect of Week Andy’s Address, 5/16 FriarWire Center 25

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Brewers jump on Richard early in Padres' loss BY: DENNIS LIN

San Diego Union Tribune

May 16, 2017

Clayton Richard held the Milwaukee Brewers to one run over five of his innings Tuesday at Petco Park. It was the opening frame that proved problematic. Before he could record a third out, the Padres left-hander ceded six hits, including five in succession. With one out, the Brewers singled, singled, singled, singled and doubled. With two outs, Eric Sogard singled. The Padres went to bat with a five-run deficit. They would fall by a final score of 6-2. “A few pulled change-ups, but for the most part, they took advantage early,” Richard said. “I didn’t throw the ball terrible. It was just a few pulled change-ups, and that really hurt. It just seemed like we were off on a few balls. It happened quick, and unfortunately it was too much of a hole to get out of.” While Richard remained on the mound, the Padres did not make up any ground. Sogard doubled in the sixth for his third hit of the night. He scored on a single by starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson. The home team's top highlight came in the fourth, when right fielder Hunter Renfroe caught a lineout and fired a rocket toward home. Sogard was cut down before he could touch the plate. The outfield assist was Renfroe's third in as many games, tying a franchise record last achieved by Bubba Trammell in 2002. "He's thrown the ball well lately," manager Andy Green said. "That's a good thing to see. Early in the year, he was a little bit maybe off a little bit. Didn't have as many opportunities as he's had recently. It was a good throw he made to get the runner at the plate to pick us up.” Wil Myers homered in the sixth, getting the Padres on the board. Renfroe and Matt Szczur drilled consecutive doubles in the seventh, making it 6-2. Richard finished with an odd, frustrating line. He allowed six runs on 10 hits over six innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out seven. “Really, I thought they weren’t horrible pitches that they were hitting,” Green said. “He left a couple change-ups up. … I thought he was sharp the rest of the way.” On in relief of Richard, Rule 5 draftee Miguel Diaz threw three innings, a career high, without allowing a run. "Miguel Diaz is a guy that was a starter, has every potential to be a starter again in the future,” Green said. “He's being broken in at a very similar rate that (Luis) Perdomo was (in 2016).

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“Couldn't be more pleased with him today. ... Really encouraged to see the way he threw the baseball. You could see the life in the arm. It's easy to dream on that as a starter, and it's not going to happen in the very near future, but he's definitely in consideration for that at some point in the future." That went down as another positive for the Padres, a team light on experience and room for error. They did not do themselves favors on a number of other occasions. Myers committed a fielding error, continuing his recent struggles at first base. Szczur tagged up from third on a fly out to right field, but was easily thrown out. Cory Spangenberg was picked off after a late single. “It obviously shouldn’t happen, really at any level,” Green said. “Sometimes you see what guys have inside their mind. They have aggression, the desire to make something happen, and there’s a switch you’ve got to flip in a baseball game when the situation calls for that type of aggression. ... Those types of adjustments we didn’t make today. ... Reading the situation, playing the scoreboard, that's necessary in those moments.”

Padres hit three solo homers, but lose on walk-off to White Sox BY: JEFF SANDERS

San Diego Union Tribune

May 16, 2017

The Padres aren’t all bad, apparently.

That’s the message the team is selling little Saydee Sogard a day after Hunter Renfroe’s walk-off home run one-upped the solo shot that pops managed in the top half of the 10th inning, sending her home in tears.

Pretty much how we all felt last night. @EricSogard @Brewers @MLB @Cut4

10:55 AM - 16 May 2017

697 697 Retweets 1,920 1,920 likes

Cupcakes make everything better, right?

San Diego Padres @Padres

@KayceeSogard @EricSogard @Brewers @MLB @Cut4 We hope you enjoy your cupcakes, Saydee!

Absolutely.

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Although it helped that dad – even with Renfroe throwing him out at the plate – rattled off a career-high four hits in Tuesday’s win over the Padres, the team that actually drafted Eric Sogard in the second round of the 2007 draft and then traded him to Oakland in January 2010.

Can’t wait ‘til Saydee is clued into that chapter of this budding Sogard-San Diego rivalry.

Fernando Tatis Jr. clicking atop Fort Wayne lineup BY: JEFF SANDERS

San Diego Union Tribune

May 16, 2017

Something is clicking for Fernando Tatis Jr. atop the order. The 18-year-old shortstop rattled off three more extra-base hits in the leadoff spot, including his fourth homer of the season, and drove in three runs in low Single-A Fort Wayne’s 11-4 win over host Lansing on Tuesday night. Tatis’ three-hit game extended his hit streak to 11 games and lifted his average to .275, the culmination of a run that really gathered steam when he was moved to the leadoff spot. Tatis is 18-for-35 with five doubles, two triples, three homers and 10 RBIs in eight games as the TinCaps’ leadoff hitter. Third baseman Hudson Potts (.244) also drove in three runs on his second homer and a pair of doubles and Reinaldo Illarraza (.217) went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Left-hander Logan Allen (2-2, 1.80) started the game with six shutout innings of three-hit ball. He struck out six and walked one. The TinCaps improved to 15-23. TRIPLE-A EL PASO (18-21) Colorado Springs 15, Chihuahuas 11: El Paso’s last pitcher in the game, RHP Carlos Fisher (0-2, 9.19) allowed four runs in the ninth after the previous four pitchers allowed 11 runs in the first eight innings. That included RHP Matt Magill (3.92) allowing four runs in four innings in the start and RHP Christian Bethancourt (11.37) allowed a run on two hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. RF Jabari Blash (.319) went 2-for-2 with four RBIs, four walks and a run scored and C Tony Cruz (.280) went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (22-16) Corpus Christi 4, Missions 1: RHP Enyel De Los Santos (2-1, 4.64) struck out seven and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in seven innings. LHP Brad Wieck (3.77) allowed two runs in 2/3 of an

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inning. SS Luis Urias went 4-for-5 with a run scored but committed his seventh error. 1B Ty France (.500) went 2-for-4 with a double. HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (19-20) Rancho Cucamonga 4, Storm 2: 1B Josh Naylor (.328) went 0-for-3 to have his hit streak end at 12 games, while DH Carlos Belen (.200) doubled in two runs. LHP Joey Lucchesi (3-1, 1.93) struck out six and allowed three runs – two earned – on three hits and four walks in four innings. Pitcher of the Week No surprise here: Double-A San Antonio RHP Kyle Lloyd was named the Texas League’s pitcher of the week after spinning a no-hitter Saturday night. The 26-year-old Lloyd struck out three and allowed only a walk in dismissing visiting Frisco. Transaction Of Austin Bousfield was reinstated from the seven-day disabled list and transferred to high Single-A Lake Elsinore. There, the Storm placed OF Edwin Moreno on the DL with a right hamstring strain.

Padres preparing for first top-five draft pick since 2009 BY: DENNIS LIN

San Diego Union Tribune

May 16, 2017

The last time the Padres had a top-five selection in the June draft, they used it on a can’t-miss prospect and signed him for $6.25 million. At the time, it was the largest bonus ever given to a high school player. Eight years later, Donavan Tate is set to join the University of Arizona football team as a walk-on quarterback. The former can’t-miss prospect never played above Single-A, becoming another reminder of a franchise’s largely dismal draft history. Given that history, much will be made of the Padres’ choice on June 12, when they again pick third overall. But as Mark Conner, the club’s third-year scouting director, is quick to point out, there will be 40 more choices to make. “Our scouts are excited, not just for pick No. 3,” Conner said. “We’re big believers in having a complete draft.” Still, that particular selection, which carries a suggested slot value of $6,668,100, could significantly affect San Diego’s fortunes for years to come. The Padres are guaranteed an opportunity to add premium talent, regardless of whom the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds take with the first two picks. A list that began forming multiple years ago has been whittled down, though work remains to be done.

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“We have a handful of guys, guys that we really like,” Conner said. “There’s a month left, so you don’t narrow it too much. If an injury happens, we have to look at other options. … Signability also comes into play. “It can happen a couple days before. It can happen a week before. We’re still scouting. We want to narrow it down, but at the same time, we want to be open and make sure we do the process all the way through.” Conner ran his first draft in 2015. Owing to the signing of James Shields and a trade for Craig Kimbrel, the Padres had to wait until the second round to make their first selection. Last June, they loaded up with three of the first 25 picks and three more before the fourth round. No matter when and how often a team’s number is called, the preparation is a massive undertaking. The Padres employ 19 area scouts, four regional supervisors and two national cross-checkers. Key executives such as General Manager A.J. Preller and Senior Advisor Logan White also hit the road, getting looks at a variety of players. It has become a tired refrain, but the Padres, along with many other clubs, say they plan to draft the best talent available. “We want players with upside,” Conner said. “But we want big-leaguers. We want big-leaguers that are going to win and contribute and help us bring a championship to San Diego. Honestly, it doesn’t matter if it’s high school, (junior college) or college. It’s the best combination of tools, skills, makeup. There’s a lot of factors that go into the decision.” Especially with new technology and data in play, the legwork extends beyond the field. “First and foremost, we’re drafting people,” Conner said. “I think it’s extremely important for our scouts to get to know these guys as people and know what we’re getting. You can go into skills and tools and break those down, but you’re not there every single game. … The analytic component helps us question what we see and what we don’t see, and get a clearer picture. The other component, the makeup — knowing how they’re wired, what motivates them, how they handle success and failure — it all comes together in evaluation.” Four possibilities to go third overall next month: Royce Lewis, SS/OF, JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) HS Lewis is arguably the toolsiest position player in the draft and one often mentioned as a potential pick for the Padres at No. 3. He almost certainly will become JSerra’s highest-ever draft pick, surpassing current Padres catcher Austin Hedges. Kyle Wright, RHP, Vanderbilt University The Vanderbilt ace entered the 2017 season as a candidate to go first overall, but he subsequently battled inconsistency. Wright has been much sharper lately, reigniting talk that he will not last past the third selection. Hunter Greene, RHP/SS, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) HS

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Greene has first-round talent at shortstop, but as a pitcher, his upside in this draft class is unmatched. The Padres likely would be quite happy if he dropped to No. 3. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Whiteville (North Carolina) HS With a low-90s fastball and advanced secondary pitches, Gore is second only to Greene among available high school arms.

Carlos Asuaje collects first homer, three-hit game BY: JEFF SANDERS

San Diego Union Tribune

May 16, 2017

Perhaps Carlos Asuaje is putting a slow start behind him. The Pacific Coast League’s rookie of the year in 2016, Asuaje collected his first homer and three-hit game Monday night in Triple-A El Paso’s 10-5 win over visiting Colorado Springs. Asuaje also drove in two runs and walked once to lift his average to .232, its highest mark since April 8. He has driven 19 runs, stole one base and fashioned .336 on-base and .344 slugging percentages. Last year, Asuaje – an All-Star Futures Game rep – hit .321/.378/.473 with nine homers and 69 RBIs. Jabari Blash (.289) also went 3-for-4 with his fourth homer and three RBIs and Christian Villanueva (.250) went 2-for-4 with his second homer and two RBIs. Right-hander Walker Lockett (4-1, 4.84) struck out three and allowed two runs – one earned – on six hits and a walk over seven innings. The Chihuahuas improved to 18-20 with the win. DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (22-15) Missions 4, Corpus Christi 0: RHP Michael Kelly (2-1, 3.22) tied a career-high with nine strikeouts over eight shutout innings. He allowed only one hit and walked three in turning in his third straight quality start this month. SS Jose Rondon (.247), LF Alberth Martinez (.286), 3B Ty France (.500) and C Stephen McGee (.320) all had two hits for the first-place Missions. HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (19-19) Modesto 4, Storm 3: RHP Cal Quantrill (3-2, 3.13) walked a career-high five batters and allowed three runs and four hits in four innings. He struck out four. C Austin Allen (.280) went 2-for-4 with his second homer and 3B Ruddy Giron (.214) went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. 1B Josh Naylor (.336) went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. He also played the field for the first time since sustaining facial fractures last month.

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LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (14-23) TinCaps 10, Fort Wayne 2: OF Jorge Ona (.325) hit his second homer, drove in three runs and went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. 3B Hudson Potts (.230) went 4-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs, SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.263) went 3-for-5 with a triple, his ninth steal and three runs scored and CF Jack Suwinski (.195) drove in two runs on two hits, including a triple. LHP Jerry Keel (2-2, 3.46) struck six and allowed two runs on six hits and two walks in seven innings. Transaction RHP Zach Lee (oblique) was placed on the seven-day disabled list to make room for RHP Kevin Quackenbush’s return. Lee is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA, nine strikeouts and 10 walks in 16 innings.

Richard's rough inning dooms Padres vs. Crew BY: AJ CASSAVELL AND JAY PARIS

MLB.com

May 16, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson stepped into the batter's box before he stepped onto the rubber Tuesday night. That, of course, did not bode well for the host Padres.

Milwaukee sent nine men to the plate in the top of the first inning, scoring five times and providing Nelson with all the support he needed in a 6-2 victory at Petco Park. The right-hander struck out eight over six-plus frames, while allowing two runs -- and he even chipped in offensively with an RBI single in the sixth.

"When you get a big lead and Jimmy puts up a zero in the first inning, it cements the game a little bit," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.

Padres left-hander Clayton Richard allowed two runs on four consecutive one-out singles, before Brewers catcher Manny Pina broke things open with a two-run double into the left-field corner.

"They took advantage early," Richard said. "I didn't throw the ball terribly. It was a few pulled changeups, and that really hurt. It happened quick, and unfortunately it was too much of a hole to get out of."

• Padres RF Renfroe nails runner with 98.4 mph throw

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Richard settled in to throw six innings, striking out seven, while not issuing a walk. The Padres clawed one back with Wil Myers' solo homer in the sixth -- his team-leading 11th of the season. And they scored another on Matt Szczur's RBI double an inning later.

Meanwhile, Brewers third baseman Eric Sogard continue to make up for lost time after missing 2016 because of a serious knee injury. Sogard, who was drafted by the Padres, banged out a career-high four hits.

"I'm definitely just grateful to be out there after missing last year,'' he said. "It puts a different perspective on the game."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Frenzied first: The Brewers' mashed during their five-run first, but the inning wasn't without a pair of Padres miscues. First, Hernan Perez lifted a looper to left that could have turned into a routine flyout. Szczur initially broke backward, before realizing too late the ball would fall in front of him. It marked the second of the Brewers' four consecutive singles. Five batters later, the fifth run scored on Sogard's chopper to short. Erick Aybar had vacated his position to cover the bag -- an apparent miscommunication on a pickoff attempt.

"I don't think any of our starters are strikeout pitchers," said Padres manager Andy Green. "They're going to be reliant on a good defense behind them to be successful on a consistent basis."

Nelson doesn't flinch: The Padres didn't threaten much against Nelson, but they did put men on the corners with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning. He whiffed Aybar with a curveball, before getting Hunter Renfroe to hit a slow chopper in front of the plate. Nelson sprung off the hill and fired a strike to first, ending the threat. More >

"I didn't throw any changeups because the curveball was so good today,'' Nelson said. " I just kept going to it.''

QUOTABLE

"Part of the team aspect is to get as much as I can out of it to save our bullpen, because we're going to be playing the next day and the following day. If we can limit the bullpen innings pitched on a day like today, it's going to be a big help." -- Richard, on his second through sixth innings

BASEPATH BLUNDERS

Trailing by four runs late in Tuesday's game, the Padres ran into consecutive outs on the basepaths -- a surefire recipe to stifle a potential comeback bid.

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First, Szczur was thrown out at the plate by several feet on a fly ball to right field. The out came after he ran a quarter of the way down the line, which prevented him from tagging up at the exact moment the ball hit Domingo Santana's glove.

Then, after Cory Spangenberg led off the top of the sixth with a single, he strayed too far from the base on a pitch in the dirt. Pina made a nice pick, and fired to first for the out.

"It obviously shouldn't happen, really at any level," Green said. "Sometimes you see what guys have inside their mind. They have aggression, a desire to make something happen. There's a switch you've got to flip in the baseball game when the situation calls for that type of aggression. "Those types of adjustments, we didn't make today. … There's a time to be aggressive on the ballfield and a time to be passive, reading the situation, playing the scoreboard."

WHAT'S NEXT

Brewers: Matt Garza is on a roll and he hopes to continue it against the Padres, a team he owns a 3-0 career mark against. Garza, a right-hander, has produced three consecutive quality starts for the first time since 2015. First pitch is at 5:10 CT.

Padres: Jhoulys Chacin looks to continue his dominance at home this season when he gets the ball Wednesday night against Milwaukee. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. PT. The veteran right-hander has allowed one run on 10 hits in 20 innings at Petco Park this year.

Renfroe shows off cannon against Brewers BY: AJ CASSAVELL

MLB.com

May 16, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Count this as his warning to baserunners across the big leagues: Hunter Renfroe has a cannon.

The Padres' rookie right fielder showed off his arm in Tuesday night's 6-2 loss to the Brewers with one of the strongest outfield assists of the season.

He fired a 98.4 mph strike to the plate to nail Brewers third baseman Eric Sogard and complete a double play to end the top of the fourth inning. Only Bryce Harper -- who unleashed a 99.7 mph rocket a week ago -- has made a stronger throw on an outfield assist this year, according to Statcast™.

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"It's one of [my favorite things to do]," Renfroe said. "I love throwing people out. It came from college, when I played catcher, I loved throwing people out stealing, picking people off. Then I just got moved to outfield."

For Renfroe, it marked the third consecutive game in which he has recorded an outfield assist, tying a franchise record -- one that includes Tony Gwynn, Gene Richards and Dave Winfield. Bubba Trammell was the most recent Padre to accomplish the feat, in April 2002.

Renfroe's arm has always been one of his most impressive tools. In fact, he unleashed a 100.5 mph toss on Opening Day against the Dodgers, but didn't come up with the out. That throw and Tuesday's comprise two of the six hardest throws by an outfielder this year.

But in the early stages of the season, Renfroe perhaps got a bit overaggressive, committing a pair of throwing errors -- once when he threw to an unoccupied base and once when he uncorked an off-balance throw from right field to third.

"I hadn't really made bad throws," Renfroe said. "One time there was just nobody there, the other time, I just missed the target. But otherwise, it's been on target. Sometimes you get the out, sometimes you don't. ... It's felt the same, really. My arm's always been accurate, always been strong. I've just got to harness it to the right spot."

During his sophomore season at Mississippi State, Renfroe made the switch from catcher to a full-time outfielder. He said his throws began sailing all over the yard.

"I quieted it down from there," he said. "And it got refined to what it is now. I take pride in it."

It's been a bit of a similar transition this year, after a shaky opening month in right field.

Renfroe hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning Monday night. But without his rocket to second to rob Domingo Santana of extra bases in the eighth, the Padres might not have gone to extras.

"He's thrown the ball well lately," said Padres manager Andy Green. "That's a good thing to see. Early in the year it was a little bit off. He didn't really have as many opportunities as he's had here recently.

"That was a very good throw he made to nail the runner at the plate and pick us up. I feel good about the way he's throwing. I still think there's more in him, defensively."

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Chacin looks to stay on a roll at home BY: JAY PARIS

MLB.com

May 16, 2017

Excuse Brewers starter Matt Garza if he had Wednesday's opponent circled on the schedule. Garza has never lost to the Padres; in four starts against them, he's crafted a 3-0 record and a 1.93 ERA.

The Padres, who counter with Jhoulys Chacin (4-3), get a Garza who's been on his game of late. He's won two of his last three starts.

In the game he lost in that stretch, to the Pirates, Garza threw eight innings of one-run ball. In his most recent rotation turn, he beat the Mets by allowing two runs over six innings.

"His offspeed is a real factor now,'' Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "The curveball is a factor, the slider is improved and the changeup is usable. He's become well-rounded and he's coupling that with just his experience and knowing what he wants to do, and how to attack hitters.''

Chacin, who has won three of his last four starts, lost his only career decision to the Brewers.

Things to know about this game

• Garza has produced three consecutive quality starts for the first time since August 2015.

• Chacin has been brilliant at Petco Park this season. He's allowed one earned run on 10 hits in 20 innings at his home ballpark.

• There's a chance Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw will be available Wednesday, after missing the first two games of the series. Shaw sprained his right index finger Sunday while fielding a ground ball.

• It's doubtful Eric Thames, who's among the National League leaders with 13 home runs, will be able to go. He's been out with strep throat.

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Spangenberg displays Zobrist-like versatility BY: AJ CASSAVELL

MLB.com

May 16, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- A month ago, Padres manager Andy Green said Cory Spangenberg wouldn't receive a callup unless everyday playing time was available for him at the big league level.

Whether it's been third base, second base or left field, Spangenberg has practically created that playing time for himself with his versatility.

"The more positions you play, the more opportunity you give yourself," Spangenberg said. "I'm playing three positions, and that's more opportunity to get my bat in the lineup."

Spangenberg started at third base Tuesday, having split his previous six starts evenly among second, third and left. He's batting .273 since his late-April callup.

Even if he keeps hitting, Green doesn't foresee a need to pin Spangenberg down to one position.

"Right now, I don't have a problem with [moving him around] at all," Green said. "Those pieces are incredibly valuable. ... Guys that come off the bench -- and I wouldn't say he's coming off the bench, because he's playing way more than he's sitting -- but with those types of guys, you usually lose a little bit offensively. You don't lose anything offensively with him."

Of the three positions, it's likely Spangenberg sees the least time at second base going forward, as the Padres are committed to Yangervis Solarte. But left field has been wide open since Travis Jankowski went down with a right foot fracture, and Ryan Schimpf has struggled lately at third base.

"Right now, [Spangenberg is] playing consistently because of [his versatility]," Green said. "He's filling in at second, plays left, plays third. He bounces around, as long as he keeps swinging it."

On more than one occasion, Spangenberg has pointed to the Cubs' Ben Zobrist as an example he'd like to follow. Zobrist has parlayed his ability to play across the diamond into regular playing time for the past decade.

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"Not too many guys are able to flip-flop like that and be versatile and athletic enough to do that," Spangenberg said. "It's gotten him in the lineup every day, and it got him a contract."

The constant shuffling of positions also keeps Spangenberg on his toes. On certain days, he takes the field early for ground balls so he can get additional work in the outfield during batting practice.

"It's a lot of fun," Spangenberg said. "No position gets old when you're always flip-flopping and doing something different every night. It's always a challenge, and I enjoy being challenged."

Potts, Tatis Jr. among top performers BY: MIKE ROSENBAUM

MLB.com

May 16, 2017

The New York Mets organization welcomed back one of its better pitching prospects on Tuesday as right-hander Marcos Molina returned from a nearly 21-month absence to hurl four innings of one-run ball for Class A Advanced St. Lucie.

The Mets' No. 13 prospect last pitched in a Minor League game on Aug. 17, 2015, also with St. Lucie, at the end of a season that saw him battle elbow issues throughout and log just 40 innings. Those elbow issues would lead to Tommy John surgery for Molina, costing him the entire 2016 season.

Molina finally returned to game action in the Arizona Fall League, to post a 3.78 ERA with eight strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. He made four appearances including one start for the Mets this year during Spring Training, only to suffer a lat strain toward the end of camp and subsequently miss the first five weeks of the regular season.

On Tuesday, Molina retired the first six batters he faced en route to facing one over the minimum for St. Lucie. He allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out three.

The rest of the best performances from top prospects Tuesday

• No. 2 overall prospect Gleyber Torres (Yankees' No. 1) played the hero for Double-A Trenton, as his go-ahead two run homer in the top of the eighth inning was the difference in the Thunder's 4-2 win over New Hampshire. The home run was Torres' third, and he also tallied his eighth double in a 2-for-3 showing.

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• No. 7 overall prospect Ozzie Albies (Braves' No. 1) reached base in each of his five plate appearances out of the leadoff spot for Triple-A Gwinnett, going 3-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored. One of Albies' three hits was a solo homer, his second, and he also swiped his 13th base.

• No. 22 overall prospect Nick Senzel (Reds' No. 1) started the scoring for Class A Advanced Daytona with his third home run -- a two-run homer off of No. 41 overall prospect Mitch Keller (Pirates' No. 2) in his first at-bat -- before finishing 2-for-4 and matching his career high with four RBIs. The 21-year-old third baseman also hit his Florida State League-leading 14th double in the contest, marking his fourth straight game recording a two-base hit.

• No. 28 overall prospect Jose De Leon (Rays' No. 3) was unhittable for five innings in his second rehab start for Class A Advanced Charlotte. The 24-year-old righty threw 69 pitches (42 strikes) in the outing, issuing two walks and striking out five. Sidelined since Spring Training due to a right flexor mass strain, De Leon completed just 3 1/3 frames in his season debut before Tuesday's dominant start.

"I felt really good," De Leon told MiLB.com. "I've been feeling more comfortable every time I'm out there. I thought my changeup was working much better today, and that allowed me to work in some curveballs and sliders."

• No. 43 overall prospect Nick Gordon (Twins' No. 1) recorded a pair of extra-base hits and scored two runs out of the leadoff spot for Double-A Chattanooga in a 4-1 victory over Birmingham. The 21-year-old shortstop recorded his Southern League-leading fifth triple to open the bottom of the first and later added a two-run homer, his third, before finishing 2-for-4. Through 36 games, Gordon is hitting .322/.383/.507.

• No. 54 overall prospect Luis Ortiz (Brewers' No. 4) fired five no-hit innings for the second time in seven starts for Double-A Biloxi. He issued three walks, generated five ground-ball outs and matched his season high with six strikeouts. After a shaky season debut (4 IP, 5 ER), Ortiz, 22, has pitched to a 1.45 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .137 average in 31 innings across his last six starts.

"The number-one thing for Ortiz in each start is his fastball command," Biloxi pitching coach Chris Hook told MiLB.com. "He's really tuned up his game as the season has gone along and executed well today.

"One of the great things about Luis is his game awareness," Hook added. "Today he had six strikeouts; last time, I think, he had one. If he needs a ground ball, he'll try to go get one. If he needs a strikeout, he'll elevate [the pitch] for one. He pitches to the game, which is how it should be done."

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• Angels' No. 15 prospect Parker Bridwell allowed one hit as he faced the minimum over seven innings in his second start for Triple-A Salt Lake. The 25-year-old righty struck out six and induced nine ground-ball outs, including a double play in the third inning to erase his lone hit. Acquired from Baltimore in mid-April, Bridwell has given up just three hits in 12 scoreless innings since joining Salt Lake.

• The left side of Class A Fort Wayne's infield was at it again on Tuesday, as 18-year-olds shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres' No. 6 prospect) and Hudson Potts (No. 12) both went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. It was the second consecutive three-hit game for Tatis, who's batting .396 with eight extra-base hits during his current 11-game hitting streak. Potts, meanwhile, has collected eight hits, including five extra-base hits, in his last three games.

• After going 2-for-5 with two more RBIs on Tuesday, Pirates' No. 5 prospect Cole Tucker has now driven in 13 in his last three games for Class A Advanced Bradenton. He's also tallied multiple hits in five straight, during which he's batting .462 (12-for-26) with seven extra-base hits, and leads all Minor Leaguers with 25 stolen bases.

• Brett Phillips (Brewers' No. 10) pushed his home run total to eight with his second multi-homer game of the season for Triple-A Colorado Springs. With a triple already under his belt in the contest, the 22-year-old outfielder hit a solo homer in the seventh and then added a three-run shot in the ninth to finish 3-for-6 with four RBIs. He's having a bounce-back campaign in the Pacific Coast League, with a .306 average, 16 extra-base hits and 31 RBIs through 31 games.

• Rockies No. 18 prospect Sam Howard went the distance for Double-A Hartford in Game 1 of a doubleheader to record his first career shutout. The 24-year-old lefty yielded one hit in seven scoreless frames, compiling four strikeouts and one walk while throwing 58 of 89 pitches for strikes. Howard as been excellent this season, posting a 1.61 ERA with a 0.68 WHIP in 28 innings (five starts).

TinCaps provide a glimpse of Padres' future BY: MICHAEL PENG

MiLB.com

May 16, 2017

With several of San Diego's top prospects starting the season with Class A Fort Wayne, it's a good place to get a glimpse of the Padres' future. On Tuesday, a few of them showed what could be in store for the franchise.

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Sixth-ranked prospect Fernando Tatis, Jr. and No. 12 Hudson Potts both went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs, while 17th-ranked Logan Allen turned in his third scoreless outing in five tries as the TinCaps topped Lansing, 11-4, at Cooley Law School Stadium. "I think people have been waiting to see these guys kind of bust out and show what they are made of and why they are highly touted prospects," Fort Wayne manager Anthony Contreras said. "Everything just kind of blended very well today and we got good play from both sides." Gameday box score A night after recording three hits, Tatis Jr. led off the game with a double to center field to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. He scored two batters later and Potts, who went 4-for-5 on Monday, followed with a double to center. "For Tatis to come up and drill that double to pick up right where we left off, it just gives the whole team momentum," Contreras said. "And to score -- even if was just one run -- in the first, it just shows that everything is kind of clicking right now and it gives a little cushion for Logan to go out there and throw his game." Tatis added an RBI double to right in the second before hitting a solo homer to left-center in the sixth. Potts led off the third with a homer to left-center and added a two-run double to right in the fourth. "You can see there's a little more bounce in their steps today," Contreras said. "Anytime you can get three, four hits in a game, you're going to feel a little more confident. And when that happens, you just have to ride that wave because it won't last forever. "I told these guys that [getting hot] is just like a slump. You've got to stay focused throughout the whole game, even if we are up by a lot. It's easy to throw at-bats away because you can get greedy and go away from your approach, but these guys have been doing a great job all year and sticking with it the whole time." Tatis raised his batting average from .213 prior to the hitting streak to .275, while Potts upped his by 39 points in a two-day span. While the TinCaps were putting crooked numbers up on the scoreboard, Allen limited the Lugnuts to three hits and a walk while striking out six. "These guys are a good hitting team. He was just getting ahead early and he was able to utilize his curveball and his changeup," Contreras said. "That kind of kept these guys off-balance. And when he does that and all the pitches are working, he's pretty hard to hit."

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The 19-year-old left-hander lowered his ERA to 1.80 and WHIP to 0.97 after turning in a hitless outing on April 20 and a scoreless start on May 3. "At this level, if you can command multiple pitches like that, most likely you're going to have some good outings," Contreras said. "He's realizing that. He knows he doesn't have to nitpick like he did last year and his pitch efficiency was something that got him in trouble. He's able to attack hitters more now and get after them and use his defense behind him. When you can do that, you stay in the game longer and you can have five-plus-inning outings." The TinCaps also got three hits from Reinaldo Ilarraza and two apiece from Padres No. 29 prospect Eguy Rosario, G.K. Young and Marcus Green, Jr. "This is a young and energetic group," Contreras said. "We have one of the youngest teams in baseball, and anytime you get some good things happening like that, these kids turn back into Little Leaguers again, just jumping around and being excited. It's kind of contagious when you get that kind of atmosphere in the dugout, and these guys are riding that good wave right now and it's been fun to watch them play."

Hunter Renfroe's walk-off HR in 10th lifts San Diego Padres past Milwaukee Brewers BY: BILL CENTER

UPI

May 16, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Hunter Renfroe ruined a good story with an even better one Monday night at Petco Park. The Padres' rookie right fielder hit a two-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning on a full-count fastball off Brewers reliever Oliver Drake to give San Diego a 6-5 victory over Milwaukee. In the top of the 10th, former San Diego minor-leaguer Eric Sogard, who returned to the major leagues Friday after missing all of the 2016 season with a knee injury, homered to give the Brewers a 5-4 lead.

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However, the Padres, who were returning home after a 1-4 road trip, opened the bottom of the 10th with a single by Eric Aybar off Drake (2-1). Renfroe followed with a 366-foot drive into the left-field stands on a full-count pitch. "I knew I hit it pretty well, but I didn't know if I had hit it out," said Renfroe, who earlier in the game hit a two-run double to the base of the wall in right-center. Drake said: "That wasn't the pitch I should have thrown. We take the lead, and I come in and give up two hits right away, and that was the game ... it was done. The pitch just got too much of the plate, and he got it. I just didn't do it tonight." The first walk-off homer of Renfroe's career capped a resurgence for the power hitter whose batting average dropped to .200 on May 9. He since has gone 6-for-18 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs. Renfroe also has drawn at least one walk in five consecutive games (seven total) after drawing only four walks in the season's first 35 games. Padres manager Andy Green sees a connection between the walks and Renfroe's recent success at the plate. "Drawing walks shrinks the strike zone," said Green after Renfroe connected for his second homer in as many games after not homering since April 26. "He's forcing pitchers to come back to him. "That's been talked about," Renfroe said when asked about the connection between drawing walks and improved hitting. Renfroe's homer snapped a three-game Milwaukee winning streak and ruined a fairytale finish for Sogard. Sogard was the Padres' second-round pick in the 2007 draft. His go-ahead homer Monday off Padres reliever Jose Torres, who got credit for the win to even his record at 2-2, was his second since he returned of the season. "It would have been nice to get the win," Sogard said. "I was happy to get it done. Just to be playing the game again after a major knee surgery like that ... you never know that the future will hold." Earlier in the game, Padres starter Luis Perdomo attempted to beat the Brewers by himself. He allowed three runs on five hits with a career-high nine strikeouts over six innings, and he had a double and triple in his two-at-bats with a RBI and a run.

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The pitcher capped a three-run San Diego second with a triple that skipped past diving Milwaukee center fielder Keon Broxton. Austin Hedges started the rally by drawing a one-out walk from Brewers starter Chase Anderson. Aybar followed with a single, and Renfroe put the Padres on top with a two-run double. Perdomo made it 3-0 with his triple. Perdomo didn't issue a walk in his six innings, but he hit Sogard leading off the fourth, triggering a two-run Milwaukee rally. Three straight singles by Hernan Perez, Jesus Aguilar and Domingo Santana cut the Padres' lead to one with the tying run at second and no one out. However, Perdomo struck out Nick Franklin and induced Jett Bandy to ground into an inning-ending double play. The Padres widened their lead to 4-2 in the fifth on a double by Perdomo and a run-scoring single by Cory Spangenberg. The Brewers countered in the sixth on Aguilar's two-out solo homer off Perdomo. Anderson gave up four runs on six hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. The Brewers tied the score at 4-4 in the top of the eighth. Perez opened the inning with a short fly to right that fell just beyond the dive of second baseman Spangenberg and skipped past right fielder Renfroe as the two Padres converged. Santana scored Perez with a one-out single off Brad Hand for his third hit and third RBI of the night. NOTES: Padres OF Travis Jankowski will miss at least another six weeks after a CT scan taken Monday disclosed a fracture to the navicular bone in his right foot. Jankowski has been out since April 23 with what was originally diagnosed as a bone bruise. ... Brewers 1B/LF Eric Thames missed Monday's series opener due to a combination of stomach flu and sore legs. ... The Brewers recalled LHP Brent Suter from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday and designated RHP Jhan Marinez for assignment. ... RHP Luis Perdomo broke a Padres record for starting pitchers Monday night with his sixth straight no-decision start to open a season. The previous record was five by Bob Owchinko in 1977.

Padres Fall to Brewers in Lopsided Outing BY: MJ ACOSTA

NBC 7

May 16, 2017

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It seemed as if the San Diego Padres would never get out of the first inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers put up five runs in the first inning to give themselves a healthy lead on the way to a 6-2 victory over San Diego.

It was a rough start for Clayton Richard. The lefty gave up a season high-tying six runs; five of those were the aforementioned set in the first inning. He was able to shake off that early slump and recorded seven strikeouts in six innings pitched, but the damage was already done.

In the sixth innings Friars first baseman Wil Myers hit his 11th home run of the season and put San Diego on the board. Matt Szczur has been on a roll since he joined the team earlier this month and it looks like he’s just getting started. The Padres left fielder hit his third double of the season with San Diego, a deep one that bounced off the left center field wall and scored Hunter Renfroe. His RBI cut the Brewers lead to 6-2 but it just wasn’t enough to get the win.

The four game set continues on Wednesday May 17 at 7:10 p.m. at Petco Park.

Sogard has career-high 4 hits in Brewers' 6-2 win vs Padres BY: AP

AP Staff

May 16, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Eric Sogard is making the most of the second chance he's been given after injuries have sidelined some key members of the Milwaukee Brewers. Sogard had a career-high four hits and drove in a run, and Jimmy Nelson struck out eight in six-plus innings and hit an RBI single to help the Brewers beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 on Tuesday night. Sogard, a former Padres farmhand, was called up from Triple-A on Friday after Ryan Braun went on the disabled list, and made his first big league appearance since Oct. 2, 2015. He missed all of last season after having knee surgery. "I'm definitely just grateful to be out there after missing a full year last year," Sogard said. "It puts a little different perspective on the game and allows me to go out and have some fun. Obviously after major surgery like that you never know what the future holds."

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Sogard has come up big in his three starts. He homered both Friday night and Monday night, and then had his career night Tuesday. The Brewers played the last two games without third baseman Travis Shaw and first baseman Eric Thames. Sogard started at shortstop Monday night and at third base Tuesday night. The key to coming back from the surgery was staying positive, Sogard said. "I just continued to work at it. I've a great physical therapist who continued to get me better. It's been an interesting process to go through but I think it's made me better in the long run." Sogard had one of six hits against lefty Clayton Richard in the first inning that helped the Brewers to a 5-0 lead. The Brewers had five straight hits with one out, including RBI singles by Jesus Aguilar and Domingo Santana, and a two-run double by Manny Pina. Sogard hit an RBI single with two outs. Sogard doubled with two outs in the sixth and scored on Nelson's single to right. "You bring a guy up and he steps in and he performs, it's a boost," manager Craig Counsell said. "It really is. When you've got guys of the caliber we've got out right now, and somebody steps in there ... it makes you appreciate the depth of our group, really." Counsell said the big first inning "does a lot for your starting pitcher as much as anything, that he's got some breathing room." Nelson (2-2) gave up two runs and seven hits, with one walk. He allowed Wil Myers' solo homer to straightaway center field leading off the sixth and then was chased by consecutive doubles by rookie Hunter Renfroe and Matt Szczur opening the seventh. Richard (2-5) lost his third straight decision, over five starts. He allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings, struck out seven and walked none. "I didn't throw the ball terrible, just a few pulled changeups and that really hurt," Richard said. "It seemed like we were just off on a few balls, unfortunately it was too much of a hole to get out of." Manager Andy Green said the Brewers "were lifting them just enough to get them into the outfield. A couple unfortunate circumstances for Clayton which probably normally gets out of there with two runs and then it's still a close ballgame. We weren't able to hold them there though."

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Renfroe tied the club record with an outfield assist in three straight games when he threw out Sogard trying to score on a liner to right by Keon Broxton to end the fourth. Sogard was aboard on a double and advanced on an error. Santana threw out Szczur trying to score on Manuel Margot's fly to right to end the seventh. TRAINER'S ROOM Brewers: Thames has strep throat and missed his second straight game. "He's pretty miserable," Counsell said. "He's improved today for sure. Hopefully tomorrow he takes a big step forward. He's got some solid antibiotics running through his system." ... Shaw didn't start due to a swollen index finger suffered Sunday. UP NEXT Brewers: RHP Matt Garza (2-0, 2.66) comes into Wednesday night's game 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four career starts against San Diego. This will be his second start at Petco Park. Padres: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (4-3, 5.12) will try to improve to 3-0 this season at Petco Park, where he's allowed only one earned run in 20 innings.

Padres On Deck: Lloyd’s no-hitter puts him on Padres’ Prospect of Week BY: BILL CENTER

Friar Wire

May 16, 2017

Right-handed starter Kyle Lloyd, who pitched a no-hitter for Double-A San Antonio Saturday night, headlines this week’s list of Players of the Week in the Padres’ minor league system. Lloyd pitched the first no-hitter in the Padres system since 2014. He is joined by versatile Triple-A infielder-outfielder Jose Pirela, Advanced Single-A center fielder Michael Gettys and Fort Wayne right-handed starter Austin Smith. A look at the four Players of the Week: Triple-A El Paso — Infielder-outfielder Jose Pirela:

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Jose Pirela Pirela, 27, who played briefly for the Padres last season, was 7-for-21 last week with two homers and five RBIs on the Chihuahuas’ five-game trip to Tennessee. Pirela has played first, second and left and been El Paso’s designated hitter this season. He is hitting .309 on the season with five doubles, a triple, four homers and 15 RBIs with 18 runs scored. Pirela has played more at first since Jamie Romak joined a Korean team. Double-A San Antonio — Right-handed starting pitcher Kyle Lloyd: Kyle Lloyd Lloyd, 26, issued one walk while striking out three in his no-hitter against Frisco at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. He threw 94 pitches, including 68 strikes. The Padres’ 29th-round pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of Evansville, Lloyd was 2–0 last week, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings. He has a 0.86 earned run average in his three May starts with a .182 opponents’ batting average. Advanced Single-A Lake Elsinore — Center fielder Michael Gettys: Michael Gettys Gettys, 21, is 14-for-41 (.341) with two doubles, a homer, five walks (.425 on-base percentage), six steals, 15 runs scored and five RBIs in an 11-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .252. Gettys, who is ranked the Padres’ №11 prospect by MLB Pipeline. was the Padres’ second-round pick in the 2014 draft out of high school. He was 8-for-21 in six games last week with a homer, two RBIs and eight runs scored. Single-A Fort Wayne — Right-handed starter Austin Smith: Austin Smith Smith, 20, turned in the best start of his professional career last Thursday night, shutting out Beloit on two hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six innings. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Smith was the Padres top pick in the 2015 draft, being selected in the second-round out of Park Vista High in Boynton Beach, Fla. Smith has a 4.58 ERA over his last four starts, allowing nine hits with 17 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings.

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Andy’s Address, 5/16 BY: BILL CENTER

Friar Wire

May 16, 2017

Padres manager Andy Green discussed two of his more versatile players — left-handed reliever Brad Hand and infielder-outfielder Cory Spangenberg — during his pre-game medias session Tuesday.

Hand pitched two innings Monday night as he extended himself past a single inning for the seventh time in 19 appearances. He gave up a run after a fluke triple to short rate. Green was asked if Hand loses effectiveness in a second inning.

“My best use of him is probably one inning at time,” said Green. “Sometimes, a game doesn’t allow that. You have guys down and have to figure a way to navigate a one-run lead. It’s a necessity to put him out there for a second inning. He welcomes it. He doesn’t shy away from it.”

“He’s given us an inning plus and been good. Don’t read too much into very small sample size and say the guy can’t throw two innings. I know he can.”

Green has been deploying Spangenberg at second, third and left field and Spangenberg has responded by hitting. 273 since being recalled from Triple-A El Paso.

“Usually, a guy who plays a lot of position, you lose some offense there,” said Green. “We don’t lose any offense at all with Spangenberg. Those types of guys have a value. He played really good yesterday, I loved the bunt. Moving ahead, there’s still more to do in plate discipline. It’s an area of growth for him. You find a way to keep that type of player in the lineup, where he can play one of three positions regularly.”

Talking about plate discipline, Green again discussed the recent uptick in Hunter Renfroe’s offense at the same time the rookie right fielder is drawing more walks.

“He put a really good swing on that (walk-off) homer,” said Green. “But like I said yesterday, I’m even more pleased with the walks he continues to take and the discipline he shows at the plate. His double earlier drives in two runs, then the homer late.”

Green said he sees a parallel in Renfroe’s development to that of his entire team.

“I think with these guys, they’re developing the desire to be great in big situations. Now they just have to want it every single day . . . welcome the challenges every single day no

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matter how they feel. There’s reasons to look at these guys and be optimistic about the future.”

“Executing and wanting to come through for your teammates. Clutch, that’s when players believe that’s who they are, that’s their identity. Teams struggling in those situations are pressing, thinking ‘I gotta come through’ rather than ‘here we go again, we’re gonna win.’ It takes time to build that.”

“There have been some games that have slipped away from us late, sometimes slipped away big . . . up one, then down seven. That’s happened a few times. Those are tough games . . . tough games for any team. What I’ve seen is the willingness to come back the next day and not let it linger and carry over. Is it fully developed? No. But it’s headed that way. Doing the right thing . . . now carry it a step further and expect to win every day.”

Green talked about Tuesday night’s starting pitcher, left-hander Clayton Richard.

“Richard executes consistently,” said Green. “He’s always doing right throughout the day . . . in preparation and throughout the week when he’s not starting. The example he sets for guys inside the clubhouse is as strong as anything he does on the baseball field.”

“Clayton’s been a very good starter for us. He’s going to be aggressive. He exhibited that in Texas with seven scoreless innings before the home run in the eighth. He tried to be too fine the one start previously. He’s going to come out and attack guys.”