The San Diego Padres traveled to Mesa, Ariz. to play the Chicago Cubs in Cactus League action on Tuesday. Starter Marco Gonzales, who had issues with location after more than a year off the mound, lasted 1.2 innings and allowed three runs on five hits and hit a batter.
Ron Marinaccio followed with 1.1 scoreless innings pitched, further building on his long-relief bid by going an up-and-down over the first and second innings. He will leave soon for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic but has not allowed a hit so far.
Bradgley Rodriguez struck out two in his inning of relief and got a weak swing on a pop-up to first. Reliever Francis Peña continues to struggle with his command while allowing two walks, a home run and a double for three runs in his 0.2 innings pitched.
The rest of the pitchers held the Cubs in check but the Padres fell just short, scoring three runs over the last two innings but were unable to come all the way back and lost 6-5.
First baseman Romeo Sanabria had another good day at the plate, subbing for Nick Castellanos, getting a single and knocking in a run. Castellanos also had an 11-pitch at-bat in the fourth inning that resulted in a double off the center field wall and two RBI. Outfielder Bryce Johnson was 2-for-2 with two singles and a walk. He has had a great spring, currently 3-for-8 with a walk in his three games played.
New Padre Sung-Mun Song didn’t get a hit in his Padres debut as a starter but played a clean third base and worked a walk with a good at-bat in the third inning.
Although outfielder Tirso Ornelas was designated for assignment last week, he cleared waivers and returned to spring camp yesterday. He entered the game in the sixth inning for DH Miguel Andujar and got a single in his first at-bat.
Busy practice fields
With the game being a 40-minute drive to Mesa, the practice fields saw early action and then bullpens for Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Walker Buehler and Miguel Mendez.
Germán Márquez threw live BP on the backfields with Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill taking swings and multiple members of the pitching staff looking on.
The team bus left at 11 a.m. for Mesa and the players making the trip got their work in early and were then off the fields. The remainder of the team did infield and outfield work as well as batting practice. Ramon Laureano took a break while walking between fields to sign some autographs and take a pic or two.
Tomorrow’s game will be back in Peoria versus the Angels. Michael King will make his Cactus League debut.
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