They say Spring Training results do not matter, but you still do not want to lose two games on the same day to divisional opponents. That is what the San Diego Padres did by losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies in split squad matchups at Camelback Ranch and the Peoria Sports Complex on Friday.
Many of the Padres regulars stayed in Peoria to face the Rockies and they suffered a 9-3 loss. Nick Pivetta started the game on the mound for San Diego and lasted four innings allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Pivetta, who is widely expected to be named the Opening Day starter for the Padres, said his plan for the season is to be more consistent and hopefully this last spring outing is a jumping off point for another solid year.
Bradgley Rodriguez took over in the fifth inning for Pivetta and the young right-hander pitched a scoreless and hitless inning, while recording two strikeouts. Bullpen regulars Jason Adam, who was making his return to the mound for the first time since rupturing his quadriceps tendon, and Jeremiah Estrada combined to pitch two scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk. Minor league relievers handled the remainder of the game and allowed four runs over the final three innings. The Padres offense was limited to just four hits in the game and only one of those hits was recorded by a starter, Jackson Merrill.
San Diego used just three pitchers against Los Angeles and the Padres tried to mount a late comeback against the Dodgers but lost the game by a final of 4-3. Marco Gonzales, one of the pitchers fighting for a spot in the rotation, started the game and held his own with 3 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Alek Jacob pitched 2/3 of an inning and allowed two runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. Logan Gillaspie finished the day on the mound for San Diego and completed 3 2/3 innings with one run allowed on four hits. He also allowed three walks and recorded three strikeouts.
Ramon Laureano led the offense with a 1-for-2 performance, which included a two-run home run with a walk and a run scored. Bryce Johnson chipped in with a 1-for-3 performance with a double, a walk and two runs scored.
The Padres play at the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:10 p.m. on Saturday. San Diego prospects will also be on display Saturday against the Chicago Cubs in the Spring Breakout Series at 6:05 p.m.
Padres News:
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Freddy Fermin has put together a solid spring and has shown his improved approach at the plate, but his greatest contribution may still be his ability behind the plate. Fermin can handle to San Diego pitching staff, but Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball says he also has a handle on the new ABS Challenge System.
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Jason Adam has said all offseason that his intention was to return to the Padres in time for Opening Day. His return to Cactus League action on Friday was the next step in that process, although nothing is certain. Yuki Matsui, however, is expected to start the season on the IL.
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The first significant roster decisions of the offseason have been made by the Padres according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Walker Buehler and German Marquez have both made the San Diego roster and will fill the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation to start the season. Buehler would have had the opportunity to opt-out of his minor league deal today had he not been selected to the roster. The Padres will also have to decide if they are going to put Ty France on the roster as the utility infielder, like Buehler, will have the option to opt-out today.
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While the news about Buehler and Marquez allows the Padres to prepare for the season with a full rotation, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the starting pitching, which has been a concern of late, will be what allows the Padres to return to the playoffs in 2026.
Baseball News:
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The Washington Nationals selected Dylan Crews with the second pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, but he is not quite ready to join the big-league club and will start the season in Triple-A.
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