SD 10, CWS 4: Ross Throws for Five Scoreless and Everybody Hits

If you watched yesterday's skirmish against the Cubs, you were treated to a fantastic performance from an elite pitcher - backed up by great hitting and some solid defense. If you watched today's game against the White Sox, you were treated to a fantastic performance from an elite pitcher - backed up by great hitting and some solid defense.

It's not terribly surprising how well the Padres are coming together during spring training, and today was no exception. Tyson Ross only gave up one hit and no runs, while the lineup strung together 17 hits for 10 runs. For a team infamously without their own no-hitter; the Friars are starting to look like they have the chemical makeup to change that on day one. Wood knock.

Tyson Ross threw for five straight innings giving up his only hit in the form of a double in the 4th inning. He gave up a single walk. His 2015 spring training experience has him at 12 innings and 12 strikeouts, giving up only 8 hits. Comparative to, say, James Shields, Ross is throwing around the same with only a few less strikeouts and a few more hits.

It's hard to peg the star bat today. Hits were a-plenty. Yonder Alonso went 1-for-3 after replacing Yangervis Solarte (who was being tried out at first base and went 1-2.) Solarte nudged out an RBI with a single, as did Carlos Quentin who had a 2-for-3 game. Abraham Almonte lightly peppered a run onto the final score with a sacrifice fly in late innings in place of a hitless Justin Upton. Jedd Gyorko was in hit city today (finally,) hitting to all parts of the field.

The second-base starting piece has only collected six hits in spring training thus far; adding these three uplifting squirts to left, left-center, and right field.

Meanwhile in doubles town; Matt Kemp went 1-for-3 and earned his third dubble bubble of spring training by scoring Alonso. Late in the 8th, Jake Goebbert made an appearance and popped off his own double as well. Then there was Cameron Maybin, who was replaced by Goebbert, but not before going 2-for-3 with an RBI-double of his own. Cam scored Derek Norris and Jedd Gyorko (who by the way went 3-for-3) on the hit, preceding Alexi Amarista who was unable to sneak in and was thrown out at the plate.

Amarista was nowhere close to making it home, but that didn't stop Daddy Longleg's rip down the line any less sweet.

Then in the 7th Cory Spangenberg Spang'd himself a fun two-run RBI-triple off the center field wall. Wrap your head around that hitfest and decipher what else it means for upcoming roster choices. We've got Cameron Maybin hitting fair; a man who has publicly acknowledged that he indeed is somebody who legally would be allowed to play in center field for the Padres in 2015. We've got Alonso and Solarte hitting today; while their counterparts Tommy Medica and Will Middlebrooks are popping off on their own time.

Productive, optimistic performances from some players who were given almost zero expectation going into 2015. Could the regular season just start already?

Roll Call Info
Total comments	44
Total commenters	10
Commenter list	Axion, Darklighter, Faith Keeper, Freshershest, Hormel, IputtheYinTony, OtherLisa, Timmah73, kevintheoman, sdsuaztec4
Story URLs	http://www.gaslampball.com/2015/3/23/8279777/spring-training-game-thread-03-23-padres-vs-white-sox

Speaking of expectations, there's not much activity expected to revolver around a Monday nooner game. Regardless, sdsuaztec4 led the discussion and rec charges.