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It's finally time for our Padres to get back into playing mode, which means it's also time for us Gaslamp Ballers to get back into game-threading mode. Woooo!
So our pitchers and catchers have been pitching and catching at Spring Training for ten days now and today they'll get their first bit of playing time as they take on our hated rivals, the Seattle Mariners. San Diegan and self-proclaimed Padres fan himself, Sean O`Sullivan is slated to start the Spring Training opener in Peoria. Scheduled for two innings against the Mariners, O'Sullivan will try to build on his momentum from last season when he played for Triple-A Las Vegas, going 9-3 in his last 14 starts.
Adys Portillo, Thad Weber, and Miles Mikolas are scheduled to pitch two innings each in relief while Brandon Kloess closes out the game. For those looking forward to seeing some of the bigger names like Chase Headley, you may have to wait a game or two, as Bud Black will try to keep some of the big leaguers on the bench in these early games.
The Mariners will send Hector Noesi to the mound for the first inning, followed by Oliver Perez, D.J. Mitchell, Andrew Carraway, Chance Ruffin, Logan Bawcom, Anthony Fernandez, Brian Moran and Danny Farquhar. Because of the accelerated Spring Training schedule this season, the Mariners are choosing to take it very slowly in these first few games, having their pitchers toss just one inning each.
Obviously this is just an exhibition game, but let's pretend it's for real because that's more fun. Plus it's against our natural rivals, so beating them would be extra fun.
Game time is 12:05 and you can follow along on ESPN 1700 (no TV).
GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!!
Talking to @xtra1360ben, @utpadres got today's lineup! Cabrera 6, Venable 8, Denorfia 9, Alonso 3, Gyorko 4, Hundley 2, Buck 7, Darnell 5.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) February 22, 2013
Will have an updated lineup a little later, as Rene Rivera will catch for the #Padres. Nick Hundley is fine, will likely go tomorrow.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) February 22, 2013