Game Thread: 04 MAR Padres vs. Royals

The Padres took their winning streak to 8 in a row yesterday, dominating the Brewers 9-0 in Peoria. The Padres offense exploded for 7 runs in the 3rd inning, with the highlight being OF Abraham Almonte’s grand slam:

The Friars added 2 more runs in the game (1 in the 5th and 1 in the 8th), highlighted by another Wil Myers home run, his 3rd this spring:

Simply, though, the Padres didn’t need that much offense, because the pitching staff was once again on point. RHP Garrett Richards made his first start of the spring, and he flashed the kind of stuff that makes him a likely front of the rotation starter. Richards went 2 scoreless innings, flashing a fastball in the mid-90s and he struck out the first two hitters he faced with a sharp slider,giving up only 1 hit, a leadoff single in the 2nd.

Richards and the following 6 Padres relievers then retired the next 23 batters in order. Drew Pomeranz followed with a perfect inning and 2 Ks, and Jimmy Yacabonis K’d 4 in 2 scoreless innings. Check out the stats below:

Spring Training MLB Camp — Padres vs. Brewers:

Gabriel Arias: 0-0, 1 R, 1 BB

Luis Campusano: DNP

Ivan Castillo: 0-3, 1 R, 1 K

Franchy Cordero: 0-1, 1 BB, 1 K

Jake Cronenworth: 0-1, 1 K

Nate Easley: DNP

Ty France: DNP

Michael Gettys: 0-1, 1 K

Trent Grisham: 2-3, 1 R (batting .412 (7-for-17) in 6 games)

Juan Lagares: DNP

Francisco Mejia: DNP

Owen Miller: DNP

Josh Naylor: DNP

Eddy Olivares: DNP

Jorge Oña: DNP

Hudson Potts: DNP (injured with a hamstring strain; currently day-to-day)

Esteban Quiroz: 0-1, 1 K

Webster Rivas: DNP

Fernando Tatis, JR: DNP

Luis Torrens: 0-1, 1 K

Taylor Trammel: 0-1, 1 K

Breyvic Valera: DNP

Jason Vosler: 1-1 (2B), 1 RBI

Garrett Richards: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 GOs, 1 FO

Lake Bachar: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO, 1 FO

Fred Schlichtholz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 GOs, 3 FOs

David Bednar: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO, 1 FO

Today’s Game:

The Padres will take on the Kansas City Royals today. LHP Adrian Morejon will get the start, but the bigger news is who is slated to follow him. Closer Kirby Yates is scheduled to make his spring debut, but not before RHP prospect Luis Patiño takes the mound (LHP MacKenzie Gore is slated to pitch Thursday). Game info follows below:

Game Time: 1210 Pacific time.

Location: Peoria Stadium in Peoria, AZ.

Radio/TV: Padres broadcast on Fox Sports - San Diego.

Weather Forecast: Sunny, with temps near 68 degrees Fahrenheit at gametime; winds out of the SW at 2 MPH.

I’ve got some stuff going on later today, so I’ll try to come back and update this post with the starting lineup.

UPDATE: here’s the starting lineup:

1. Tommy Pham - DH
2. Jurickson Profar - 2B
3. Wil Myers - 1B
4. Josh Naylor Eddy Olivares - RF (Naylor a late scratch; still battling the flu, apparently)
5. Ty France - 3B
6. Juan Lagares - LF
7. Jake Cronenworth - SS
8. Francisco Mejia - C
9. Taylor Trammel - CF

Go Padres!