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Padres Press Clips Saturday, May 28, 2016

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Padres tap into Solarte power behind Friedrich MLB.com Cassavell/Gilbert 2

Friedrich making case to stick with Padres MLB.com Cassavell 4

Power switch: Solarte homers from both sides MLB.com Cassavell 6

Ross close to beginning extended rehab MLB.com Cassavell 8

Vargas looks to outduel D-backs ace Greinke MLB.com Rill 10

Renfroe homers, Dickerson's streak reaches 25 games SD Padres Center 11

Renfroe among top prospect performers Friday MLB.com Rosenbaum 13

Arizona home to special memories for Green MLB.com Cassavell 15

Green returns to Chase Field, Padres' bats erupt UT San Diego Lin 16

Ross could resume throwing next week UT San Diego Lin 19

Blash: ‘I’ve never been challenged like that’ UT San Diego Sanders 21

Q&A: Padres lead investor Peter Seidler UT San Diego Sanders 23

Minors: Renfroe homers, Dickerson still streaking UT San Diego Sanders 26

Friar talk: A mock draft roundup UT San Diego Sanders 27

Jim Palmer, at 70, Is Still Talking Pitching New York Times Kepner 29

Padres Bats Awaken In Arizona NBC San Diego Togerson 33

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Padres tap into Solarte power behind Friedrich

By AJ Cassavell and Steve Gilbert / MLB.com | 4:15 AM ET

PHOENIX -- The Padres found a healthy way to take out their frustrations from a recent four-game losing

streak: They turned Chase Field into their own launching pad.

Three Friars went deep in the fifth inning Friday night -- including back-to-back jacks from Matt Kemp

and Yangervis Solarte off D-backs starter Robbie Ray. Derek Norris also got in on the fun, and Solarte

would later tack on his second home run of the night, as the Padres cruised to a 10-3 victory.

"From an offensive standpoint, there's been a number of guys who've kind of been through it this season,"

said Padres skipper Andy Green. "So from an individual perspective, I think it's a sigh of relief for some

guys, an opportunity to kind of build on a game. It's a launching point. It's nothing more than that."

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While the offense was busting out, left-hander Christian Friedrich turned in his best performance as a

Padre. He stymied the D-backs over seven scoreless frames, allowing just three hits and a walk.

Ray, meanwhile, was hit hard for five runs on nine hits in 4 2/3. Third baseman Brandon Drury got the D-

backs on the board in the eighth with a two-run shot into the left-field seats, his eighth of the season, and

Jake Lamb added a solo blast in the ninth.

"It's one game, one loss," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "It's not a good way to open a homestand.

We've got to get rid of it tonight and come back and be competitive tomorrow."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Double solar power: With home runs from both sides of the plate, Solarte joined a select group of San

Diego switch-hitters to go deep from both boxes in the same game. He's only the sixth Padre to do so,

joining Ken Caminiti (eight times), Geoff Blum, Milton Bradley, Yasmani Grandal and Chase Headley

(twice).

"It's something that I could never do," Green said. "There's only very few people who can do it. ... He was

very frustrated with [the popup in his second] at-bat. So to see him flush that and have two really good at-

bats and drive two balls out of the park from both sides -- fun to watch." More >

Work in progress: One way or another, the fifth inning was going to be Ray's final inning thanks, once

again, to a rising pitch count. Being efficient with his pitches has been a point of emphasis for Ray, but he

threw 26 pitches in the first inning and had 64 after three.

"Just going to take this start and go forward with it and work on some stuff in my next bullpen," Ray said.

More >

Kemp crushes: The Padres right fielder has struggled mightily of late, but facing Arizona seems to be the

cure. Kemp's fifth-inning dinger opened the floodgates, and he finished the night 3-for-5. With 32 homers

against the D-backs, Kemp is second among active players, trailing only Adrian Gonzalez.

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"It's a very hitterish ballpark," Kemp said. "You've got to score a bunch of runs, or you never know. I've

played a lot of crazy games here, and I've seen a lot of crazy things happen. Everybody came out tonight.

I think everybody felt good at the plate. We needed this as a team."

No glove, no problem: The D-backs put a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs in the fourth,

but Friedrich managed to escape, albeit in unconventional fashion. Chris Owings hit a sharp one-hopper

back to the mound, knocking Friedrich's glove off his right hand. Barehanded, Friedrich coolly chased

after the baseball, which had trickled to the left side, and flipped it to first for the final out.

"You've just got to remember there's 10 runs on the board," Friedrich said. "Guy hits a solo homer, but if

you're being too fine with a heater and you end up walking a guy, it can turn into two instead of one. So

keep that in the back of your mind and be aggressive in the zone."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS • According to STATS, the eight roster moves by the D-backs on Friday involving the 25-man roster were

the most on a single (non-September) day in club history.

• The last time three Padres went deep in the same inning came on Aug. 10, 2008, when Kevin

Kouzmanoff, Jody Gerut and Brian Giles went deep in a 16-7 Padres victory.

WHAT'S NEXT Padres: Coming off his longest start, Cesar Vargas will get the ball on Saturday night, as the Padres look

to win the series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PT. Vargas allowed two runs over seven innings against

the Dodgers last Saturday, as the Padres gave him a longer leash than they had in the past.

D-backs: Zack Greinke will get the start Saturday night at 7:10 MST. Greinke was outstanding in his last

start against the Cardinals on Sunday, when he allowed one run over eight innings.

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Friedrich making case to stick with Padres

Lefty cruises over 7 innings as offense thumps D-backs

Christian Friedrich shuts down the D-backs for seven innings, striking out five and holding the D-backs

scoreless

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | 3:20 AM ET

PHOENIX -- Following a shaky start last Friday night, there were no guarantees left-hander Christian

Friedrich would keep his place in the Padres' starting rotation. Andrew Cashner was set to come off the

disabled list, and after being removed in the fourth inning, Friedrich appeared to be the odd man out.

Instead, San Diego optioned 25-year-old right-hander Colin Rea to Triple-A -- in an effort to limit his

innings. That decision meant Friedrich would get another chance to prove himself. He made the most of

it.

Friedrich tossed seven scoreless innings in a 10-3 victory over the D-backs on Friday night at Chase

Field. In doing so, he picked up his first win since 2012, then a member of the Rockies.

"I think he showed why we believe in him," said Padres manager Andy Green. "There's a reason we kept

him here, chose to begin the process of giving Colin Rea a little rest. I think he justified that today from a

pitching performance. He's a guy we want in the organization, a guy we believe in, a guy we were very

pleased with today."

Friedrich's first two starts with the club were a mixed bag. He was sharp but inefficient in his debut in

Milwaukee, allowing one run over six frames. Then, he was removed during the fourth inning after

allowing two runs on six hits and three walks to the Dodgers.

"The past two, I wouldn't say are like how I've pitched in my career, whether it's Majors or Minors,"

Friedrich said. "I feel like I'm more of a command guy, with walks that are timely trying to pitch around

certain things. It was nice to feel back to normal -- less walks and pitching hitters how I want to pitch

them."

Friedrich ran into trouble twice -- and once was the result of a two-base error by Melvin Upton Jr. in left

field. He escaped that threat in the second, and he got creative to escape another jam in the fourth.

After the first two hitters reached base, Friedrich induced a pair of ground balls and found himself with a

couple of runners in scoring position and two outs. Chris Owings smacked a one-hopper up the middle,

which knocked Friedrich's glove clean off his right hand. No matter; he calmly picked up the ball, which

had bounced toward first, and flipped it for the out.

Friedrich cruised after that, leaving no doubts once the offense put up consecutive four-run frames in the

fifth and the sixth.

"Once we got the lead, fill up the zone early instead of playing with the corners," Friedrich said. "If they

hit it, they hit it. Especially after [the offense] put up the two bigger innings, I was just trying to make

sure we fill up the zone."

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It was an eventful offseason for the left-hander, who was designated for assignment by the Rockies before

being claimed by the Angels. He was later released, before signing with the Padres at the beginning of

March.

With San Diego, Friedrich wasn't quite sure what kind of chance he'd get. But injuries to a couple of

starters thrust him into the big league spotlight, and the results have been encouraging.

"I know there's a lot of moving parts and pieces and plenty of good pitching to select from," Friedrich

said. "I'm just grateful for another opportunity."

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Power switch: Solarte homers from both sides Becomes sixth Padres switch-hitter to achieve feat

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | 3:07 AM ET

PHOENIX -- Yangervis Solarte did his best Ken Caminiti impersonation Friday night, homering from

both sides of the plate as the Padres routed the D-backs, 10-3.

With one out in the fifth, Solarte launched a solo dinger from the right side, deep into the left-field seats.

An inning later, as a left-handed hitter, he golfed a down-and-in changeup inside the right-field foul pole

at Chase Field.

In doing so, Solarte became the sixth Padres hitter to go deep from both batters boxes in the same game.

He joined Caminiti, who did so eight times, along with Chase Headley (twice), Yasmani Grandal, Milton

Bradley and Geoff Blum.

"I just got a good feeling with my timing," said Solarte, who also hit a game-tying homer in his final at-

bat Wednesday in San Francisco. "I'm looking for good pitches, and I'm hitting the ball on good pitches."

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Solarte certainly seems to be making up for lost time. After missing more than a month with a strained

right hamstring, his return has given the Padres a serious offensive boost.

In 11 games this season, Solarte is hitting .289, and he's slugging .632. But in the eyes of manager Andy

Green, Solarte's value is worth more than what shows up on his stats page.

"He's got energy and life," Green said. "There's nobody bouncing off the walls more than him. The guy's

voice you hear right when you come in the clubhouse, right when you go in the dugout. It's a much-

needed personality and a guy we really enjoy having around, being around."

Matt Kemp, pointing out the new braids in Solarte's hair, echoed that sentiment.

"Having him in our lineup is big," Kemp said with a smile. "He's got a lot of swag."

The Padres turned Solarte loose on a 3-0 pitch in the third inning, and he swung at a fastball that would've

been high, before popping out weakly to second a couple of pitches later.

Solarte seemed upset with himself afterward. He would get his revenge.

"There's only very few people who can do that, so it was very nice to see what he did today," Green said

of Solarte's homers from both sides. "He had the 3-0 swing early in the game, was very angry at himself,

because he chased above the zone on Robbie Ray. We'd greenlit him then, and [he] ended up popping out

down the line. He was frustrated with that at-bat.

"So to see him flush that and have two really good at-bats and drive two balls out of the park from both

sides -- fun to watch."

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Solarte said he last homered from both sides while playing in Class A. It was precisely the moment he had

envisioned during his time away from the club, rehabbing his hamstring.

"I was definitely anxious watching the games," he said. "Watching games from home isn't nice. It's not

fun. It's definitely good to be back."

For the Padres, that feeling is mutual.

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Ross close to beginning extended rehab Opening Day starter to resume throwing within week

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | May 27th, 2016

PHOENIX -- The Padres are hopeful that injured Opening Day starter Tyson Ross could resume throwing

within the next week, as he continues to recover from the right-shoulder inflammation that has sidelined

him since the first week of April.

Manager Andy Green said Friday that Ross is taking part in weighted-ball-throwing drills to strengthen

his shoulder. For much of Ross' rehab, Green has been hesitant to use a timeline. But evidently Ross is

close to playing catch, and Green said, "I'm very hopeful it's in the next week."

"We're at the point where pretty much everything has been done, and he'll eventually be throwing a

baseball," Green said.

For a while now, playing catch has been the next step for Ross, who hasn't thrown since the injury flared

up after his first start. For the past month and a half, Ross, 29, has been strengthening his shoulder to

reach that point.

Once Ross begins playing catch, he's still a long way from making his return.

"It's going to be an extended rehab process," Green said. "You take this much time with him getting him

ready to throw, you're not going to fly through the rehab. You're going to make sure he's stretched out

properly, given proper rest and that he feels good before he goes on the mound."

Green hinted this month that a return before the All-Star break is unlikely.

Ross started for the Padres on Opening Day, allowing seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings against the

Dodgers. He owns a 3.16 ERA since joining the Padres in 2013 and was named to the '14 National

League All-Star team.

"I don't think any team survives very well without your Opening Day starter," Green said. "From a

leadership perspective, he's an incredibly hard worker. He's wired right. He does everything the way you'd

like it to be done. So, yeah, it hurts. But other teams endure losses as well."

Myers returns to the lineup

First baseman Wil Myers was in the starting lineup after sitting for the final two games of the Padres'

series in San Francisco because of lingering forearm tightness.

Myers got a pinch-hit appearance in the 10th inning of Wednesday's game and said he probably could've

started if necessary. But with Thursday's off-day, the Padres thought it prudent to give Myers extra rest.

"Obviously it was tough that you can't play, but for the long term, for the rest of the season, it was the

right move," Myers said. "Me and Andy agreed that this is something that's good for me for the rest of the

year, so that's what we went with."

On May 15 in Milwaukee, a nagging forearm also held Myers out of the lineup.

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Thornton rejoins club, not activated

Lefty reliever Matt Thornton joined the Padres in Arizona -- where he lives -- and could be activated as

early as Saturday. Thornton made the Opening Day roster, but didn't appear in a game before going down

with left Achilles tendinitis.

He made three rehab appearances for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore, allowing two earned runs over

three innings. More importantly, Thornton was tested defensively, fielding bunts and ground balls -- and

felt no lingering effects of the injury.

Said Thornton: "It was good that I could prove that I could go field the bunt. It was kind of a do-or-die

play. Planted on my leg of the bad Achilles -- it's not bad any more. ... Everything's progressed the way

we wanted it to."

Regarding the bunt attempts, Green joked of his 39-year-old reliever, "Everybody's picking on the old

man."

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Vargas looks to outduel D-backs ace Greinke

By Jake Rill / MLB.com | May 27th, 2016

Zack Greinke is looking to build some consistency, and the D-backs ace has an opportunity to do so on

Saturday night. The right-hander takes the mound looking for his third straight quality start in the second

of three games against the Padres at Chase Field.

Greinke (5-3, 4.59 ERA), the D-backs' big-ticket acquisition last offseason, has yet to post three quality

starts in a row through 10 outings. However, he has given up just four runs over 15 innings in his last two

starts -- wins against the Yankees and Cardinals. He is 6-1 with a 1.64 ERA against the Padres in 13

career starts, 10 of them quality.

The Padres counter with right-handed rookie Cesar Vargas (0-2, 3.34). Vargas has allowed two or fewer

runs in five of his six starts, but has completed six innings just twice. He is making his first career start

against the D-backs.

Three things to know about this game

• Many Padres regulars have struggled against Greinke, including Wil Myers (2-for-17), Alexei Ramirez

(7-for-31) and Melvin Upton Jr. (5-for-34 with 18 strikeouts). Derek Norris is hitting .313 against Greinke

(5-for-16 with a double). No other Padres hitter is batting higher than .227.

• Vargas has made three of his six starts against National League West rivals, posting a 1.47 ERA in those

outings.

• Upton struggled in the last series on this road trip, going 1-for-12 in three games in San Francisco. He

started this series off on a better note with an RBI single in the first inning Friday night.

Jake Rill is a reporter for MLB.com based in Phoenix. This story was not subject to the approval of

Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Renfroe homers, Dickerson's streak reaches 25 games Weir K's 12 in seven shutout innings for Class A Lake Elsinore

By Bill Center / San Diego Padres | 12:09 PM ET

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

Hunter Renfroe homered and Alex Dickerson extended his hitting streak to 25 straight games for Triple-A

El Paso and right-handed starter T.J. Weir and two relievers combined for a three-hit shutout for high

Single-A Lake Elsinore Friday night.

Renfroe was 2-for-4 with his 10th homer and two RBIs and raised his batting average to .317 as El Paso

scored a 3-2 win at Omaha to give the 26-21 Chihuahuas a fourth win in five games on their current road

trip.

Dickerson was 1-for-3 with a walk and scored two runs. He leads the Pacific Coast League in hitting with

a .409 mark and has the longest hitting streak in the minor leagues this season in addition to the longest

active hitting streak in professional baseball and the longest in Chihuahuas' franchise history.

Second baseman Carlos Asuaje (.337) was 2-for-4 for El Paso. Center fielder Manuel Margot (.281) was

1-for-3 with a walk and his 15th stolen base.

Right-handed starter Daniel McCutchen (6.74 earned run average) allowed six hits with two walks in six

shutout innings. Left-hander Daniel Moskos (2.38 ERA) allowed a hit in a scoreless seventh to extend the

shutout.

Right-hander Leonel Campos (1-1, 4.79) allowed two runs on three hits with a walk in an inning to blow

the save, but picked up the win when El Paso scored in the top of the ninth. Right-hander Jose Dominguez

(3.60) struck out one in a perfect inning to get his fourth save.

At Lake Elsinore, Weir (3-2, 1.45 ERA) allowed three hits and a walk with 12 strikeouts in seven innings

in his third start of the season. Weir, 24, was the Padres' 17th-round pick in the 2012 draft.

Left-handed Brad Wieck followed Weir and issued a walk with a strikeout in a scoreless eighth. Right-

handed Yimmi Brasoban (0.00) closed out the shutout by striking out the side in a perfect ninth for his

fifth save.

Lake Elsinore improved to 23-26 with the 3-0 win at Stockton. Third baseman Josh VanMeter (.297) was

2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Designated hitter Luis Tejada (.242) was 2-for-4 with a RBI.

The Padres optioning of right-handed reliever Kevin Quackenbush to El Paso set off a chain reaction in

the Padres system. Right-handed reliever Adam Cimber was transferred from El Paso to Double-A San

Antonio, right-handed reliever Ben Paullus went from San Antonio to Lake Elsinore, right-handed

reliever Blake Rogers went from Lake Elsinore to Fort Wayne and right-handed reliever Emmanuel

Ramirez was transferred from Fort Wayne to extended spring training in Arizona.

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AROUND THE FARM DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (15-32) - Arkansas 7, MISSIONS 1: CF Auston Bousfield (.195) opened

the game with his third home run. RF Nick Schulz (.280) was 2-for-4 with a double. 1B Mike Olt (.258)

was 2-for-4. Starting RHP Luis Diaz (2-5, 5.79 ERA) allowed six runs on 12 hits and a walk with four

strikeouts in six innings. Cimber (2.04) allowed a walk in two otherwise perfect innings. RHP Elliot

Morris (5.06) allowed a run on a hit and a walk in an inning.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (25-23) - Tin Caps 3, LAKE COUNTY 2: C Austin Allen (.349) was

3-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. RF Jhonatan Pena (.200) was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

SS Kodie Tidwell (.220) was 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Starting RHP Jean Cosme (4-2, 3.07

ERA) allowed a run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts in five innings. LHP Jerry Keel

(1.57) allowed three hits in three scoreless innings. RHP Trey Wingenter (1.00) allowed a run on two hits

with a strikeout in the ninth to get his fourth save.

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Renfroe among top prospect performers Friday Pair of Cardinals pitching prospects excel on mound

By Mike Rosenbaum / MLB.com | 1:51 AM ET

The future of the St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation shined on Friday night as Nos. 1 and 2 prospects

Alex Reyes and Jack Flaherty had strong outings for Triple-A Memphis and Class A Advanced Palm

Beach, respectively.

Making his second Triple-A start since returning from a 50-game suspension, Reyes,

MLBPipeline.com's No. 11 overall prospect, allowed one run on three hits in five innings for the

Redbirds, who ultimately fell to Las Vegas, 4-1. The 21-year-old righty struck out seven hitters, walked

two and hit another in the outing while throwing 58 of his 89 pitches for strikes. Of those strikes, 24 were

of the swing-and-miss variety.

Reyes was cruising up until the fifth inning, when he allowed a leadoff single and then issued an eight-

pitch walk to the following hitter. But he bounced back to strike out the next two hitters, both swinging,

and appeared destined to escape the jam before No. 82 overall prospect Gavin Cecchini took him back up

the middle with a game-tying RBI single. Between his two starts for Memphis, Reyes has piled up 15

strikeouts in nine innings while allowing just one earned run.

As for Flaherty, the No. 75 overall prospect turned in his best start of 2016 for Palm Beach as he struck

out a season-high nine hitters in six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and walking two. It was an

encouraging performance by the 20-year-old right-hander, who had allowed at least three earned runs in

four straight starts for the Cardinals heading into the day. He's pitched to a 5.08 ERA in 44 1/3 innings on

the season, though his 44 strikeouts, strong groundball rate and three home runs allowed in that span

suggests it will continue to come down.

The rest of the best performances from top prospects Friday

• No. 17 overall prospect Sean Newcomb (Braves' No. 1) got back on track Friday with one of his better

starts of the season for Double-A Mississippi, tossing five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts in a

win against Jacksonville. The 2014 first-rounder scattered four hits and walked only one batter in the

outing after he issued a season-high six free passes in his last turn.

• No. 22 overall prospect Bradley Zimmer (Indians' No. 1) paced Double-A Akron's offense in a win

over Harrisburg, going 3-for-4 with his ninth home run and two RBIs out of the three-hole. It was the

second three-hit performance including a homer of the week for the 23-year-old outfielder, who has a .938

OPS with 23 extra-base hits and 17 steals in 42 games this season.

• No. 87 overall prospect Hunter Renfroe's (Padres' No. 1) 10th home run of the season proved to be the

difference in Triple-A El Paso's 3-2 win over Omaha. His 2-for-4 showing at the plate lifted his season

slash line to .317/.342/.585 in 44 games, while his 58 hits and 15 doubles have him tied for second place

in the Pacific Coast League.

• A pair of young Marlins prospects showcased their power in Class A Greensboro's blowout of Hickory

as both Stone Garrett (No. 4 prospect) and Isael Soto (No. 8) took Dillon Tate deep en route to finishing

the game with two home runs each. Garrett led the way with three hits as the duo combined to go 5-for-9

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with seven RBIs and six runs scored. 2015 first-rounder Josh Naylor (No. 2) also had a big game for the

Grasshoppers, going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and RBIs.

• Mariners No. 4 prospect Tyler O'Neill tallied an RBI for a fourth straight games in Double-A Jackson's

win against Montgomery, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. The 20-year-old has been

anything but overmatched in Double-A this season, hitting .316/.374/.563 with a 17/48 walk-to-strikeout

ratio in 45 games. On top of that, he's tied for the Southern League lead in RBIs (33) and ranks second in

both home runs (9) and hits (55).

• Nationals No. 9 prospect Austin Voth didn't yield an earned run for the fifth time in nine starts, firing a

season-high seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse in a win against Gwinnett. The 23-year-old

righty surrendered just three hits, struck out six and did not issue a walk in the outing, with 61 of his 91

pitches going for strikes. Voth lowered his ERA to 2.81 from 3.25 with the performance, and he's now

registered 50 strikeouts against eight walks in 51 1/3 frames this season.

• After not giving up an earned run over his previous five starts and 31 innings, Tigers No. 14 prospect

Tyler Alexander allowed one run on five hits over six innings in Class A Advanced Lakeland's loss to

Clearwater. The 21-year-old southpaw fanned eight in the outing, one shy of his season-high, and walked

one while throwing 59 of his 87 pitches for strikes. In his first full pro season, Alexander has pitched to an

excellent 1.66 ERA in 54 1/3 innings for the Flying Tigers.

• Braves No. 25 prospect Max Povse set a new career high with 10 strikeouts in Class A Advanced

Carolina's victory over Frederick. The 6-foot-8 righty allowed one run on six hits and two walks in the

outing, and he's now piled up 16 strikeouts over 10 innings during his last two turns for the Mudcats.

Mike Rosenbaum is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GoldenSombrero. This story

was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

15

Arizona home to special memories for Green

San Diego manager came up with, coached for D-backs

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | May 27th, 2016

PHOENIX -- If Andy Green's first trip to Chase Field as a manager is anything like his first trip here as a

player, it should be a successful weekend for the Padres.

Green -- who spent seven seasons as an infielder in the D-backs organization and four seasons as a coach

and Minor League manager -- made his big league debut in Toronto on June 12, 2004. But he didn't

record his first hit until three days later, in his first at-bat at Chase Field.

Facing Yankees right-hander Jose Contreras, Green launched a two-run fifth-inning dinger into the left-

field seats.

"It's always a special moment, your first hit," Green said. "You spend your whole life dreaming about that

moment and then it comes as a home run against the Yankees. You don't forget about those moments."

Said hitting coach Alan Zinter, Green's teammate at the time: "There was a big hoopla because the

Yankees were in town against the Diamondbacks. He hit one against Contreras, and he got all of it. He

had some power you wouldn't expect."

Green would hit one more Major League homer, and he'd finish with a batting average of precisely .200 --

which he makes light of often.

But there were plenty of lessons Green learned from his time in Arizona -- and in Zinter's eyes, he saw a

manager in the making.

"You could see that he could be whatever he wanted to be in baseball," Zinter said. "I didn't know at the

time that he wanted to manage, but as a player you could see that he had all those qualities. ... He's always

been a very smart, very observant ballplayer, always a step ahead of everybody. So he's just taken that to

the next level."

When school let out Friday evening, Green's family headed out to Phoenix to meet him and catch up with

some old friends.

Green also said he was looking forward to seeing the D-backs coaching staff and noted that it was a bit

weird to be sitting in the first-base dugout for a change.

"This is where big league baseball started for me," Green said. "Obviously as a kid you grow up, you go

to parks, but for me, when you're playing for the first time, this was home. So it's always got a special

place in my heart and always will.

"But once the game starts, it's all about winning a baseball game."

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Green returns to Chase Field, Padres' bats erupt

By Dennis Lin | 9:59 p.m. May 27, 2016 | Updated, 11:15 p.m.

PHOENIX — When Andy Green arrived at Chase Field on Friday, he discovered a new route through a

building he had frequented hundreds of times. He walked into an unfamiliar clubhouse, sat in an

unfamiliar office, surveyed the field from an unfamiliar dugout.

He did not get lost. He had a guide.

"Mac was with me," Green said, referring to Padres bench coach Mark McGwire, before a 10-3 blowout

of the Arizona Diamondbacks. "He directed me all the way, even from the (Arizona Biltmore hotel),

because he's lived there so much. He made sure I didn't make any wrong turns."

Green, the Padres' first-year manager, was making his return to the venue where he coached third base for

81 games last season, where he hit his first major league home run and his second major league home run.

He wouldn't hit another, eventually finding his calling in a different part of the game.

Of course, the sight of his old workplace brought back memories, even if he now is on the other side,

facing the D-backs in a three-game series.

"This is where big-league baseball started for me," said Green, who spent seven seasons as an infielder in

the Arizona organization and another four as a minor league manager and big-league coach. "As a kid,

you grow up, you go to (ballparks), but for me personally, when you're playing for the first time, this was

home. So it's always got a special place in my heart and always will."

On June 12, 2004, he stepped into the batter's box for his second major league plate appearance. He

recorded his first major league hit: a fifth-inning home run off Yankees right-hander Jose Contreras.

On April 17, 2006, he launched another pinch-hit homer, also here, also in the fifth inning, off Giants

lefty Jeff Fassero.

These days, Green likes to joke that he and his bench coach combined for 585 career home runs. The 38-

year-old's career path has led him to new vantage points.

"It's always good to be back in Phoenix," Green said. "I have a lot of good relationships here, a lot of

good friendships. Obviously, it's different being back in this dugout. It's something I've never done before.

"Once the game starts," he added, "it's all about winning."

Once Friday's game started, Green's team needed just six innings to double his career home run total.

In the fifth, ahead 2-0, the Padres (20-29) tripled their lead. Matt Kemp and Yangervis Solarte launched

back-to-back solo shots. Derek Norris made it a three-homer inning with a two-run blast. D-backs starter

Robbie Ray was chased from the mound.

In the sixth, the switch-hitting Solarte boomed his second home run in as many innings, this one from the

left side of the plate. Solarte, who marked his second career multi-homer game, became the first Padres

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player to homer from both sides in one game since Chase Headley on Sept. 7, 2012, also here at Chase

Field. (Coincidentally, Solarte and Headley were traded for each other two summers ago.)

"I just got a good feeling with my timing," said Solarte, who said he hadn't homered from both sides in a

game since A-ball. "I’m looking for good pitches, and I’m hitting the ball on good pitches."

Solarte strained a hamstring early this season and spent 38 games on the disabled list. Since his return, he

has a double and three home runs in 22 at-bats.

"Having him in our lineup is big," Kemp said. "He’s got a lot of swag."

Green echoed the sentiment.

"He’s got energy and life," the manager said. "There’s nobody bouncing off the walls more than him. The

guy’s voice you hear right when you come in the clubhouse, right when you go in the dugout. It’s a much-

needed personality and a guy we really enjoy having around, being around. He’s playing really good

defense at second base since he’s been out there, too."

Later in the sixth, an RBI double from Norris pushed the lead to 10-0.

On the mound, left-hander Christian Friedrich produced his sharpest outing in a Padres uniform. After

struggling with his control in his first two starts, the former first-rounder allowed just three hits over

seven shutout innings. He issued one walk and struck out five.

"The past two (starts) I wouldn't say are like how I’ve pitched in my career, whether it’s majors or

minors," Friedrich said. "I feel like I’m more of a command guy. ... It was nice to feel back to normal.

Less walks and pitching hitters how I want to pitch them."

It was Friedrich's first time recording seven scoreless frames since June 4, 2012, when the then-Rockies

pitcher accomplished the same feat in this very building. He wound up with his first major league win

since July 13, 2012, against Philadelphia.

"It was a nice memory," Friedrich said when reminded of his rookie-season accomplishments. "I’m

definitely just happy to have another opportunity to start. I know there’s a lot of moving parts and pieces

and plenty of good pitching to select from."

Friedrich missed the 2013 season due to a stress fracture, was moved to the Rockies' bullpen the next year

and hadn't pitched in a major league rotation until the Padres called him up from Triple-A this month.

"I didn’t know I went a whole year last year without a win," Friedrich said with a smile. "Out of the 'pen, I

thought maybe I snaked one. I didn’t know coming into this it had been four years. It’s definitely nice to

hear. But once again I wouldn’t be in the spot that I’m in if they hadn’t given me that opportunity to

start."

Said Green: "I think he showed why we believe in him. There’s a reason we kept him here, chose to begin

the process of giving Colin Rea (who was recently optioned) a little rest. I think he justified that today

from a pitching performance."

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The Padres had been muzzled in their previous matchup, a three-game sweep by the Giants at AT&T

Park, totaling five runs on 20 hits over the entire series. Friday night, they finished with a 10-spot, their

first since early April, on 18 hits.

"Just from an offensive standpoint, there’s been a number of guys who’ve kind of been through it this

season," Green said. "So from an individual perspective, I think it’s a sigh of relief for some guys, an

opportunity to kind of build on a game. It’s a launching point. It’s nothing more than that."

The D-backs (21-29) averted a shutout when Brandon Drury hit a two-run homer off former Arizona

reliever Keith Hessler in the eighth.

Padres catcher Christian Bethancourt made his debut in left field in the bottom of the ninth. With three

backstops on the roster, Green recently said he hoped to get the athletic Bethancourt acclimated to another

position in the event of a lopsided contest.

Bethancourt, who had never played another position besides catcher, at least not professionally, didn't

have a ball hit to him. Luis Perdomo surrendered a two-out, pinch-hit home run to Jake Lamb, a drive

over the right-field fence, before recording the final out.

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Ross could resume throwing next week Padres right-hander went through weighted-ball drills Friday

By Dennis Lin | 6:13 p.m. May 27, 2016

PHOENIX — Padres right-hander Tyson Ross could resume throwing next week, manager Andy Green

indicated Friday.

Ross, who started for the Padres opening day but hasn't since because of shoulder inflammation, went

through weighted-ball drills Friday.

"He was throwing them against a wall, building arm strength, letting bigger muscles work, smaller

muscles stabilize, and then progressing toward (throwing) a baseball here very soon," said Green, who

texted with Ross earlier in the day. "...I'm very hopeful it's in the next week."

The Padres' top starter opened the season with an uncharacteristic performance, allowing seven earned

runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He felt something in the back of his shoulder

during his ensuing bullpen session and shortly went on the 15-day disabled list. Initially, the Padres

expressed optimism that Ross would be able to return in the minimum amount of time.

Ross briefly played catch April 19 but still felt limited. Although a subsequent MRI revealed Ross would

not require surgery, the pitcher was temporarily shut down before restarting his rehab.

Through the entire ordeal, no timetable has been placed on Ross' recovery. Even if he resumes playing

catch next week, a rehab assignment would remain relatively distant.

"It's going to be an extended rehab process," Green said. "You take this much time with him to get him

ready to throw, you're not going to fly through the rehab process. You're going to make sure that he's

stretched out properly, give him proper rest, and he feels good before he goes on the mound."

Green has said it wouldn't be impossible for Ross to return from the DL before the All-Star break in July,

but at this juncture, that seems highly unlikely.

Myers back in lineup

After not starting either of the Padres' final two games in San Francisco, first baseman Wil Myers on

Friday returned to the lineup, batting second. Thursday's off-day gave him additional time to recover from

left forearm tightness that has periodically bothered him since May 12.

"I’m in there today, so it feels good enough to play, and I’m right where I want to be," Myers said.

"...Obviously, it was tough that you can’t play (in San Francisco), but for the long term, for the rest of the

season, it was the right move. Me and Andy agreed that this is something that’s good for me for the rest of

the year."

Myers entered Friday's game hitting .262 with seven home runs, including just .218 with two homers in

May. Recently, his forearm had given him more trouble when he played defense than when he was

swinging a bat.

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"I don't know that it's completely gone or that he's 100 percent all the time," Green said, "but I think you

look across baseball and ask every guy on the field if they're 100 percent — very few are. He's good

enough to go and is ready to get out there."

Thornton at Chase Field

Left-handed reliever Matt Thornton joined the team at Chase Field on Friday. Thornton, a resident of

nearby Paradise Valley, has yet to make his Padres debut because of a case of left Achilles tendinitis, but

it appears that could change as soon as Saturday.

Though Thornton wasn't activated from the DL on Friday, Green said it was a "realistic possibility" the

39-year-old could officially return over the weekend.

Thornton has made three rehab appearances with High Single-A Lake Elsinore, allowing two runs in three

innings.

"This is kind of a 'down' day for me," Thornton said. "(Thursday) was a big 'work' day in San Diego for

me."

Thornton's left leg was immediately tested in his first rehab game; he fielded a bunt before throwing the

ball away for an error. Since then, however, he had successfully converted a couple chances.

"A bunch of the young guys were probably wondering, 'Old man, why’d you bunt on him?'" Thornton

said. "...But everything’s progressed the way we wanted it to. Next week is eight weeks (on the DL), so

that was kind of the window they were pushing for."

Slow progress

The rehab of second baseman Cory Spangenberg (left quad strain) is "coming really slow right now,"

according to Green. The manager added that Spangenberg recently had fluid drained from his injured

quad and "an injection (Thursday) to speed up the healing process."

Spangenberg has been on the DL since April 10.

21

Blash: ‘I’ve never been challenged like that’

Timing wasn’t right for Padres’ Rule-5 outfielder; homered three times in first two games at El

Paso

By Jeff Sanders | 9 a.m. May 28, 2016

The timing was never quite right for Jabari Blash.

The incumbents on the corners were healthy and were owed a ton of money. The returner in left field was

rebounding better than the skeptics anticipated. The Rule-5 draftee had picked up just 29 plate

appearances over the first six weeks of the season.

Admittedly, the latter development had a lot more impact than Blash was anticipating.

“I would say I’ve never been challenged like that,” said Blash, who struck out 13 times, walked four times

and managed just three hits in the majors, largely as a pinch-hitter. “It was definitely different, but I

wasn’t the only guy in the big leagues pinch-hitting. The timing wasn’t really there. I usually start off a

season a little bit slow and I’d pick up and finish strong, but it was a bit tough with the at-bats.”

That won’t be a problem now.

Although slowed a bit by hamstring cramping early on, the 26-year-old Blash is expected to be a regular

in the lineup now that a trade with the Mariners officially made him Padres property. As such, Blash

homered in his first game with Triple-A El Paso, hit two more the next day and could be in for a big

summer given his history at Southwest University Park.

Including the Padres’ March 31 exhibition there, Blash has collected 10 homers and 23 RBIs in 14 career

games at the Chihuahuas’ home park. While the bulk of that damage came while slugging .640 in 56

games last year in the Pacific Coast League, the focus in this stay in the minors is honing his timing and

approach ahead of his next big league call-up.

Blash’s first experience in the majors will be of some help, too.

“You definitely absorb a lot,” said Blash, who is 4-for-23 with five walks, 12 strikeouts, three homers and

seven RBIs through his first eight games with El Paso. “You learn and you evolve. The game is tough.

That’s why so many guys get paid so much to play. You get that one pitch. You don’t miss it.

“You have to fight and put together some good at-bats.”

Still streaking

With a single and a walk in four plate appearances Friday, Alex Dickerson pushed his hitting streak to 25

games at Triple-A El Paso, the longest active streak in professional baseball and the longest streak in the

minors this season.

The Poway High product is hitting .441 during the streak and is 22-for-44 with five homers since

returning from an eight-game stay in the majors. The 26-year-old Dickerson hit his first big league home

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run in the pinch during that stint before returning to El Paso to continue his hit streak with a pinch-hit

single on May 15. Dickerson also homered in the pinch on May 23 to keep the streak alive.

Around the farm

Double-A San Antonio: Pushed to the Texas League despite a 5.83 ERA in Lake Elsinore, RHP Michael

Kelly (comp A, 2011) has a 2.08 ERA, 18 strikeouts and four walks in his first 17 1/3 innings.

High Single-A Lake Elsinore: Held back in extended spring training due to a shoulder strain, RHP Zech

Lemond (third round, 2014) debuted this week with an unearned run allowed on four hits and a walk in

five innings. He struck out five.

Low Single-A Fort Wayne: CF Michael Gettys (second round, 2014) is 13-for-33 over his last 10

games, raising his average to .304 in his second stint in the Midwest League. The 20-year-old hit .231

there last year.

23

Q&A: Padres lead investor Peter Seidler On the team at the quarter-pole, expectations for the draft and international signing period and

more

By Jeff Sanders | noon May 27, 2016 | Updated, 5:23 p.m.

The Padres entered the weekend 10 games under .500 and more than 10 games out of first place in the NL

West. While that brings no pleasure to Peter Seidler, the Padres’ lead investor sees brighter days around

the corner. He spared a few minutes to share his thoughts on the team at the quarter-pole, his evaluation

of the A.J. Preller Era to date and high hopes for the upcoming amateur draft and international free

agent period.

Question: Forty-two years ago, Ray Kroc infamously took to the microphone to share his frustrations

with Padres fans. We’re putting the mic in your hands. What message would you deliver to Padres fans?

Answer: Well, my message would be please keep the faith. Everybody is working exceptionally hard to

bring winning baseball to San Diego at the major league level. This season so far from a win-loss

perspective has been a disappointment for all of us. You know, all clubs have injuries, but to lose our No.

1 pitcher, our starting second baseman, our starting third basemen, as well as others including other

starting pitchers and what have you, has hurt us, and we knew going into the season that we were not as

deep as we would like to be. But I balance my personal disappointment over the win-loss record with

confidence that our baseball organization led by A.J. Preller and our on-field leadership led by Andy

Green – both groups are doing everything they can to lead us to winning baseball. We're just coming off a

series where for the third time we got swept by the Giants. We’re 0-9 against the Giants. Obviously, that

record itself has hurt us a lot. On a positive note, I'm very pleased with the effort and the aggressiveness

of our club. We’ve come up short in a lot of one-run games and the bottom line is we have a lot of work

to do to get to the level we expect to be.

Q: Some of those games went pretty late in San Francisco. Set the scene: Where are you when you’re

following along while the team is on the road?

A: As much as I can look at things strategically and from a long-term perspective, I care about every

ballgame, every series, every week, every month. I do – I live and die a little bit with every ballgame. … I

enjoy walking by the ocean and breathing in the great, fresh San Diego air and a lot of nights I'm listening

to Ted (Leitner) and Jesse (Agler) on the radio, taking a walk by the water and trying not to talk to myself

too much as I listen to the game. On a lot of nights, I'm wandering through La Jolla and Bird Rock and

other surrounding areas listening to the game and hoping my walk has maximum enjoyment, which only

comes when we win the ballgame.

Q: Attendance is down a few thousand per game this season. What’s the concern level that the team’s

win-loss record may impact that gate even more as the season goes on?

24

A: Attendance is down a little bit, but I think our attendance is generally still quite good. You know, I

think the experience at Petco Park is magnificent and every home game I take a lap around the ballpark,

kind of wander around, and it's always encouraging to me how much enjoyment people get out of being

an at a baseball game at Petco. The frustrating part when we're not winning is knowing how much greater

it would be if we were in first place or a half a game out of first place. And when those days come, you

know attendance will increase because ultimately watching winning baseball in a great ballpark with a

great in-game experience is about as good as it gets. But we do have we do have work to do to put a

winning ballclub on the field.

Q: Speaking of that work, the draft is less than two weeks away and the July 2 international signing

period begins shortly after that. A.J. Preller gets to make a first-round pick for the first time. What's that

been like for you to listen in on that process?

A: Ron (Fowler) and Mike (Dee) and I sit with A.J. regularly, and while we ask questions, it's more

listening and understanding to what his strategy is. And I could not be more confident in what he is doing

and what his group in baseball operations have in store for us as it relates to both the amateur draft in June

as well as when the next window opens to sign international amateurs.

Q: Do you have a sense of what's different with A.J. running those departments?

A: What I what I see with A.J. and our baseball operation is an intensity, a relentlessness and a

thoroughness of turning over every rock when it comes to procuring talent. What I'm referring to is a

high-profile high school players, high-profile college players, under-the-radar players. And the same thing

when it comes to the international market, where often we're talking about 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds

and 18-year-olds. There are a lot of players that fall into those categories that everybody knows about. But

as efficient as baseball clubs are at finding players, there are also gems to be found and needles to be

found in the haystack. And A.J. not only talks about what we need to do in the first round and the second

round, but also the fact that gems are found in the 16th round in the 28th round. There's as much focus on

Day 2, as an example, as there is on Day 1, and I would expect a couple years from now when we look

back we're going to be excited about the kids that we got on the first day of the draft, but we're going to be

equally excited about some of the gems that we found on the second day.

Q: In spring training, there were rumors that A.J. was on the hot seat. Can you address those?

A: Yeah, those rumors are completely untrue. We are very pleased with what A.J. has done since the day

that we hired him. He's never been on the hot seat. When we hired A.J. some 21 months ago, we were

very optimistic that he would build an organization that would lead us to a years of winning baseball. And

I think while that takes a little bit of time, I think we're well into making that happen. Our confidence in

A.J. has only risen since the day that we hired him. I've said this before. I would expect he’ll be our

general manager for 10 years plus or for as long as he wants to. … We knew going in with A.J. that his

biggest strength was his ability to find and sign and develop young talent, and from what we've seen we're

right on plan.

25

Q: The word out there is you guys you know spend big on the draft and international talent this summer.

What can you say about that?

A: I'll put it this way: We hope to make significant signings once the July international window opens.

That's not until July, so we continue to scout and observe and get to know not just the baseball talent, but

also the character and the personal characteristics of many of these international teenagers that we hope to

sign. … I think we would be very comfortable spending a significant amount of money on young,

international talent. Our hope is that A.J. and the rest of our baseball operations people are able to land

some players to justify the expenditure.

Q: And the some $12 million you have for the amateur draft pool?

A: We believe there is value in the U.S. amateur draft that justifies the expenditure. So I think at this point

we expect to spend the pool of money that's available to us. We're not going to be cheap. Those players

are not cheap.

Q: You became a fan of certain Dodgers when your family owned that team. Have your daughters begun

to form that kind of bond with any of the Padres players?

A: My oldest is 4 and this is the first year we’ve taken her to games where she’d rather watch the game

than play with the toys in the background. But even at 4 years old she loves the Padres. I mention her as a

serious motivating factor in wanting to bring a winner to San Diego.

26

Minors: Renfroe homers, Dickerson still streaking Recapping the previous day of action for the Padres' minor league affiliates

By Jeff Sanders | 6 a.m. May 28, 2016

Hunter Renfroe hit his 10th homer of the season, Alex Dickerson extended his hitting streak to 25 games

and Triple-A El Paso outlasted Omaha, 3-2, on Friday in the Pacific Coast League.

Dickerson (.409) scored the winning run in the ninth inning after walking to lead off the inning. Renfroe

(.317) followed with a single and Dickerson scored from first when left fielder muffed the ball in left.

Earlier, Dickerson singled to right field to push his hitting streak to 25 games, the longest active streak in

pro baseball.

Carlos Asuaje (.337) went 2-for-4, while Manuel Margot (.281) singled, walked and stole his 15th base.

Right-hander Daniel McCutchen (6.79) turned in six scoreless innings only to have right-hander Leonel

Campos (1-1, 4.70) blow the save with two runs allowed in the eighth.

Right-hander Jose Dominguez (3.60) struck out a batter in the ninth to convert his fourth save.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (15-32)

Arkansas 7, Missions 1: CF Auston Bousfield (.194) drove in the lone run on his third homer, while RF

Nick Schulz (.280) and 3B Mike Olt (.258) each had two hits. RHP Luis Diaz (2-5, 5.79) allowed six runs

on 12 hits and a walk in six innings.

HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (23-26)

Storm 3, Stockton 0: RHP T.J. Weir (3-2, 1.45) struck out 12 over seven scoreless innings, scattering

three hits and a walk in his third start of the season. RHP Yimmi Brasoban (0.00) struck out the side in the

ninth in his return from the DL to convert his fifth save and 3B Josh VanMeter (.297) and DH Luis Tejada

(.242) each had two hits.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (25-23)

TinCaps 3, Lake County 2: RHP Jean Cosme (4-2, 3.07) struck out five and allowed a run on four hits and

three walks in five innings. C Austin Allen (.349) went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored and RF

Jhonatan Pena (.200) drove in two runs on two hits, including a double.

27

Friar talk: A mock draft roundup Latest Padres notes, tidbits, headlines and a look at today's pitching matchup

By Jeff Sanders | 10 a.m. May 28, 2016

In a 10-3 win over host Arizona, a four-homer game – Matt Kemp, Derek Norris and two from Yangervis

Solarte – helped the Padres inch closer to leap-frogging the Diamondbacks out of the cellar in the NL

West. Meantime, the front office and scouting department is continuing round-the-clock in preparation for

the June 9 amateur draft, a golden opportunity for the organization to put its first-round woes in the rear-

view mirror.

Naturally, the Padres aren’t tipping their hand on just how they’ll use the eight, 24th and 25th picks, but

the mocks are all over just who might be available when the Padres make their first first-round pick of the

A.J. Preller era.

Here’s the latest:

Baseball America

“San Diego GM A.J. Preller has been out seeing the country as much as most scouting directors, as has

his own scouting director Mark Conner. The Padres rolled very, very deep into the SEC tournament with

at least five evaluators on hand, but there’s probably not an SEC fit at eight unless San Diego cuts a

below-slot deal for right-handers Jordan Sheffield (Vanderbilt) or Dakota Hudson (Mississippi State). San

Diego does have the money to meet the rumored $4-5 million price tag of NorCal prep righty Matt

Manning. The Padres have also been linked strongly to Stanford’s Cal Quantrill, with word of a private

bullpen session in recent weeks. PICK: Cal Quantrill, RHP

Previous mocks: SS Delvin Perez, LHP Joey Wentz, OF Kyle Lewis.

MLB.com

Forrest Whitley, RHP, Alamo Heights H.S., San Antonio, Texas

The Padres have often been linked to high ceiling and upside, and they have shown considerable interest

in this big Texas high school right-hander. There are other prep arms like Matt Manning or Ian Anderson

to consider if they want to go in this direction.

Previous mocks: SS Delvin Perez, LHP Braxton Garrett, LHP Jason Groome, OF Corey Ray, OF Kyle

Lewis.

ESPN

Braxton Garrett, LHP, Florence (Alabama) High School

Padres GM A.J. Preller said he wants "loud tools," but Garrett is not "loud." He is just a good, polished,

high school pitcher who should move more quickly than some of his higher-ceiling peers. I've heard the

Padres with Pint, Forrest Whitley and Perez. They're also widely rumored to have a deal in place at pick

28

24 with Stanford pitcher Cal Quantrill, who's still out after 2015 Tommy John surgery and might not pitch

this spring (which is fueling rumors that he has a deal with a team, though it could be just about any

team).

ON DECK | Padres (20-29) at Diamondbacks (21-29)

Game 2: 7:10 p.m. Saturday

Padres RHP Cesar Vargas (0-2, 3.34 ERA)

The 24-year-old has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his six starts but remains winless. Vargas struck

out a career-high seven batters in career-high seven innings his last time out.

D-backs RHP Zack Greinke (5-3, 4.59 ERA)

Greinke allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings in his first start this year against the Padres. He has 14

strikeouts, one walk and four runs allowed over his last 15 innings.

Sunday: Padres LHP Drew Pomeranz (4-4, 1.70) vs. D-backs RHP Archie Bradley (1-0, 7.84),

1:10 p.m.

29

Jim Palmer, at 70, Is Still Talking Pitching

May 28, 2016

Extra Bases

By TYLER KEPNER

BALTIMORE — It is noon on a Wednesday, and Jim Palmer walks from his home to a favorite spot in

Little Italy, Da Mimmo, where he has been dining for decades. The restaurant is empty, which means that

you can hear the chefs pounding the veal in the back. There will be many more customers later.

The first time Palmer came here, in 1984, it was also empty. He peeked in and backed away, but the

owner impressed him. When she was younger and part of an Orioles fan club, she explained, she had

always wanted his autograph. Palmer dutifully tried the restaurant, loved it, and when he learned it was

struggling, he gave it a plug to a local columnist. Now here it is, all these years later, thriving.

So is Palmer, who strikes you, in his adopted hometown, as a bit like Rocky Balboa in “Creed,” the last

movie in the “Rocky” series. That character carried himself, in Philadelphia, with the easy confidence of a

neighborhood legend who had starred in the 1970s, never had to prove himself again, and never

abandoned his roots. That is Palmer in Baltimore — minus the loneliness that shrouded Rocky.

Palmer, at 70, is anything but lonely. He is married with a stepson and two grown daughters, and still

works road trips and home games in the Orioles’ broadcast booth. He is surrounded by baseball, and by

fans who adore him.

“I always tell people now, Tell them who I used to be,’” Palmer said. “Fathers will come up to me at card

shows, or they see me at the ballpark and go, ‘He was one of the greatest pitchers ever.’ I never really

thought of that. I mean, I was proud of what I was able to do, but everything we did was a collective

thing.”

The Orioles have played in six World Series, and Palmer is the only player who was there for them all. He

won a game in each of their victorious series — in 1966, 1970 and 1983 — and was swiftly inducted to

the Hall of Fame.

Palmer had eight 20-victory seasons in a nine-year span and won three American League Cy Young

Awards. He is a proud member of the last generation of pitchers who worked 300 innings in a season,

having done so four times.

“When I got into the Hall of Fame, I said my biggest fear about baseball is if you pay more for less, that’s

probably what you’re going to get,” he said. “And I was kind of talking about pitching.”

Palmer talks a lot about pitching, and his lifetime of doing it, in a new memoir written with Alan Maimon,

“Nine Innings To Success” (Triumph). The book uses examples from Palmer’s life to illustrate broader

points, and its author understands his good fortune in achieving it all.

Palmer arrived in the majors in 1965 in relief of Robin Roberts, a future Hall of Famer who was also a

roommate and mentor. He finished the next season by throwing a shutout in the World Series at Dodger

Stadium, beating one of his heroes, Sandy Koufax, in the last game of Koufax’s career.

30

“I go up there and Koufax throws me the first high fastball — shooooo,” Palmer said, mimicking the

sound. “Now he throws me the curveball and it looks the same. The same! And John Roseboro catches it

on the ground. And I’m going, this is Sandy Koufax.”

Palmer was describing what turned out to be the last strikeout Koufax ever got. He retired after the World

Series, his arm ruined. It is almost forgotten that Palmer was nearly gone, too. He pitched just nine games

the next season and blew out his rotator cuff in the minors in 1968.

“I heard everything pop,” he said. “It was like Rice Krispies.”

That might have been the end. The Orioles were so stumped that they ordered Palmer to have his teeth

pulled as a remedy for the shoulder. Palmer passed an exam to become a life-insurance salesman. He was

such an afterthought that the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Pilots passed on him in the expansion

draft.

“Mark Trumbo asked me, ‘How did guys deal with Tommy John surgery, ligament problems and all

that?’ ” Palmer said, referring to the Orioles outfielder. “I said they had a sore elbow and nobody really

knew why. Some got better, some didn’t.”

Palmer was one of the lucky ones. One night in December 1968, at a Baltimore Bullets basketball game, a

friend who worked for a drug company listened to Palmer describe his problems. The friend, Marv

Foxman, left at halftime, went to his car and brought Palmer a brown paper bag filled with pills of

Indocin, a nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory pain reliever.

Palmer took them as Foxman instructed, went to winter ball in Puerto Rico and found his 96-mile-an-hour

fastball again. Just like that, he was on his way, a hard thrower with remarkable durability who would be

baseball’s biggest winner (186 victories) in the 1970s.

Pitchers then, Palmer said, were not necessarily better than those today. The difference is the standards.

He loved pitching when he did, largely for the challenge of working deep into games, the way Roberts

had before him.

“That’s what you did, because you could do it,” Palmer said. “You really learn a lot about yourself. It

takes guile, intelligence, conditioning, guts.”

One pitcher, he said, stands out today — not only for his talent, but, it seems to Palmer, for his drive to go

further than most: the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, who pitches at the same park where Palmer beat

Koufax nearly 50 years ago. The game he analyzes has changed from the one he played, but Palmer is

eager to see the modern master in July.

“I’ve never met him, but I’m going to meet him this year,” he said, smiling. “We’re playing out at Dodger

Stadium.”

Mr. Versatility

One of the more impressive parts of Kris Bryant’s early career has been his willingness to play multiple

positions. Last season, when he was the National League rookie of the year for the Chicago Cubs, Bryant

played mostly at third base, appearing in the outfield only 19 times. Now, he rarely stays in one spot very

long.

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Bryant has gone more than a month since he played more than three games in a row at one — and only

one — position. From April 15 through 19, he played just third base. Since then, Bryant has bounced

among third, left field, right field and even first base (for one out). He has played multiple positions in

about a third of his games.

“There’s so many guys in this clubhouse that might play a certain area, and I might need to make a

sacrifice and move somewhere else for them if they’re swinging the bat hot,” Bryant said at Wrigley Field

recently. “At first, it’s a little hard to prepare yourself each day, because it’s a change of scenery. You’re

in left field, right field, third base — it’s different. Now I’m a little more used to it.”

Bryant’s versatility has allowed Manager Joe Maddon to rotate Javier Baez and Tommy La Stella into the

lineup at third base. Without a designated hitter spot in the N.L., Maddon said, outfield days give Bryant

“almost like a day off” compared to the physical demands of third base. Staying sharp mentally in the

outfield can be a challenge.

“Playing the outfield is a little different in terms of my offensive side, because you have more time to

think about it out there, which can be a good thing or a bad thing,” Bryant said. “I think this year, so far,

I’ve made it a good thing, because last year, when I was playing the outfield, I was thinking a lot about

my at-bats. This year, I’m a little more focused on the whole defensive side of things.”

Bryant’s statistics are essentially the same at third base or the outfield, and he has worked at the plate to

improve one offensive trait in particular.

“Making more contact,” Bryant said. “I know that I’m going to be above average in terms of my strikeout

numbers, but if I could just cut down on that a couple of percentage points, it can only help me.”

After leading the N.L. in strikeouts last season, with 199, Bryant had just 40 coming into the weekend. He

struck out in 30.6 of his plate appearances last season and had cut that rate to 19.6, helping the Cubs to the

majors’ best record.

Honoring Gwynn

A regrettable fashion trend in baseball, going back more than 20 years, is the way most players wear their

pants: pulled down to their shoe tops, with no stirrups or socks showing.

“It’s been like that for a while,” said Jon Jay, an outfielder for the San Diego Padres. “But guys wear

different stuff underneath.”

For Jay — for every game — that means socks depicting Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Famer who spent 20

seasons with the Padres through 2001. The socks are in the classic Padres colors — yellow, brown and

orange — that Gwynn wore early in his career.

“Growing up, he was the best hitter around,” said Jay, like Gwynn a left-handed hitter. “I’ve always had a

swing that went to left field, and he always hit that 6-hole — that was his patented move. I remember just

always admiring his swing and the way he could hit the ball to all parts of the ballpark.”

Jay chose No. 19 with his previous team, the St. Louis Cardinals, partly because of Gwynn. Since coming

to the Padres, he said, he has learned more about Gwynn, including his reliance on video to prepare for

games.

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“Mike Tompkins, our video guy, was around him, and I asked him a ton of questions about Tony,” Jay

said. “He revolutionized it.”

Jay has met Tony Gwynn Jr., but he never met Gwynn, who died of salivary gland cancer in 2014.

Gwynn’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Monday against Altria Group, Inc., the tobacco giant

formerly known as Philip Morris, and several other defendants involved in inducing Gwynn to begin

using smokeless tobacco, or dip, at San Diego State in the 1970s.

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Padres Bats Awaken In Arizona Friars go on a hit parade against the Diamondbacks

By Derek Togerson

We’ve grown accustomed to seeing the Padres hit, maybe, four home runs in one week so what went

down in Arizona on Friday night was kind of like stumbling across a yeti.

The Friars offense erupted for four homers at Chase Field in a 10-3 blowout of the Diamondbacks. San

Diego is 20-20, an even .500 on the season. Well, they are as long as you don’t count their games against

the Giants. Overall the Friars are 20-29.

Padres switch-hitting 3rd baseman Yangervis Solarte paced the attack with a pair of home runs, one from

each side of the plate. It took a few games for him to find his stroke after a stint on the disabled list but

over the last three games Solarte has five hits, including three homers and a double, and has driven in six.

Solarte’s first blast came in the 5th inning and it was not alone. His shot was turned in to a Solarte home

run sandwich. Matt Kemp hit one right in front of him and three batters later Derek Norris also went big

fly. Kemp and Norris have struggled mightily in May but both had multi-hit games in Phoenix.

In all 10 different players got a knock in the Padres 18-hit attack, including starting pitcher Christian

Friedrich. He didn’t need to be good with the bat because he was really good with his arm. Friedrich

threw 7.0 innings, allowing no runs on three hits and punching out five.

The Padres snapped their four game losing skid and can start a winning streak on Saturday night when

Cesar Vargas takes the mound against Zack Greinke.