The Tucson Padres beat the Iowa Cubs 4-2 Saturday night, led by a strong pitching performance by San Diegan Sean O'Sullivan and two-hit nights by catcher Yasmani Grandal and shortstop Gregorio Petit. Grandal and Petit also drove in one run apiece, as did right fielder Dan Robertson and newcomer Mike Wilson.
In his first game of his 10-day "rehab" stint before his return from his 50-game suspension, Grandal went 2-4, scoring one run and driving in another. He singled in his first at bat, driving in Wilson for the second run of the first inning, and came around to score the third. Grandal singled again in the top of the eighth inning but Rene Rivera promptly grounded into a double play.
Moved to first base due to the presence of Grandal, Rivera went 0-4 to lower his PCL-leading batting average to .398. He is .001 ahead of Scott Van Slyke, whose number isn't changing any time soon as he has been recalled by Los Angeles.
Left fielder Mike Wilson went 1-5 in his first game with the organization. Wilson, who briefly saw time in the majors in 2011, drove in Tucson's first run with a double. The twelve-year minor league veteran was signed by the Padres after hitting .325 with three homers and 18 RBI in 23 games with Somerset of the independent Atlantic League. Released by the Mets on the final day of spring training this year, Wilson spent 11 years in the Mariners organization before signing with New York in January. Particularly astute fans might recall the only multi-hit game of his eight game major league career; it came against the Padres nearly two years ago, on May 21, 2011.
Tucson starting pitcher Sean O'Sullivan allowed six hits and a pair of earned runs in seven innings, lowering his ERA to 3.96 and picking up his third win. Colt Hynes earned his fifth hold by retiring all five batters he faced. He has yet to allow an earned run in 9.2 innings spread over 11 games at AAA; he only allowed one in 12.1 innings with AA San Antonio. Brad Boxberger got his fourth save, striking out the only batter he faced.
The win moved Tucson's record to 23-19, one game behind division leader Sacramento. They face Iowa again at 11:05 Sunday morning before embarking on a four game set starting Monday against Omaha, somewhere in middle America.