By Seth Pollack

– Regional Sports Editor

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May 6, 2011 – The Arizona Diamondbacks (14-16) begin a three-series road trip against their California NL West rivals in San Diego. The Padres (12-19) currently sit at the bottom of the NL West but that could change with this three-game duel. The Padres were expected to once again compete for the division but had a rough April thanks mostly to the lack of offense.

The Padres are at the bottom of the league in almost every major offensive statistical category and are dead last in batting average at just .218. The D-backs are hitting a healthier .248 and haven’t lost the power (38 HRs, 3rd in MLB) with the departure of Mark Reynolds and Adam LaRoche. 

Pitching though is what propelled that Padres last season and it’s still their strength. They have a team ERA of 2.96 compared to 4.67 for the D-backs. So basically, this is a battle of a good offensive team against a good pitching team in a pitcher’s friendly park. 

Game 1 on Friday features Armando Galarraga (3-2, 5.46 ERA) versus Tim Stauffer (0-1, 3.12 ERA). Then comes Hudson (2-4) vs. Moseley (1-3 and Saunders (0-3) vs. Harang (4-2). The D-backs will miss Matt Latos but he’s been struggling this year (0-4, 4.55) so that’s no blessing. 

The Snakes are coming off a series win against the division-leading Rockies. Now let’s see if they can beat the Padres and avoid being forced to the bottom of the pack by a sweep.

Friday’s game starts at 7:05 p.m. on Fox Sports Arizona with the game thread live at AZ Snake Pit.

Series Preview #11: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres – AZ Snake Pit
Of course, all of that just makes what has happened in 2011 that much sadder (for Padres fans, at least).  The 2011 Padres host the Diamondbacks this weekend while sporting a 12-19 record, second-worst in the majors.  Since they couldn’t afford to resign Adrian Gonzalez, their star first baseman, they were forced to trade him to the Red Sox over the winter, robbing an already suspect offense of its best player. 

Padres fans are frustrated and dejected, having just watched their team drop a depressing series to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates.  Sure the season’s still early, but the Padres have one of the worst offenses in the league right now, and there’s no clear indication that it’s going to get better right away.

Read More: San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks

By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO — Cole Hamels said there was nothing special about holding his hometown San Diego Padres to four hits on Friday night.

Fans in two full sections at Petco Park thought otherwise, giving Hamels a standing ovation as he walked off the mound after the eighth inning in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2-0 win over the punchless Padres.

“It’s just another place. Nicer weather,” said Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP who went to San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo High School.

“I like pitching in any ballpark,” Hamels said. “Truly, I pitch well in small ballparks, big ballparks, good weather, bad weather. It’s just coming out and trying to get the team. It’s not necessarily how big the ballpark is, it’s who you’re facing. I’ve been able to do well against certain teams, and the Padres are on that list. Thank God Adrian left.”

That was a reference to three-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez, who was traded from San Diego to Boston in December.

The Phillies handed San Diego its second straight shutout and third in five games.

Hamels’ fine performance was the second straight by Philadelphia’s sensational staff against the weak-hitting Padres. On Thursday night, Roy Oswalt and three relievers combined for a four-hit, 3-0 win.

The Padres have gone 21 scoreless innings since Wednesday night’s win in a split doubleheader at Chicago. San Diego has been shut out a major league-leading six times in 20 games. It was Philadelphia’s major league-leading fifth shutout.

“No matter when you face them, you are going to be in for it,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “You have to be on your game to score runs against these guys. Runs are hard to come by.”

After the Padres face Joe Blanton on Saturday night, they will go up against reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay. Continued…

“It was fantastic,” manager Charlie Manuel said about Hamels’ performance. “It was really good.”

Hamels threw 126 pitches, one short of his career-high. Hamels retired Jorge Cantu for the final out of the eighth inning with a runner on first. Had Cantu reached base, Manuel would have lifted Hamels.

“Where he was at with the pitch count and everything like that, I definitely wasn’t going to let him lose the game,” Manuel said.

Hamels “was mixing all his pitches,” Cantu said. “He was pitching backward, right at you, one in, one out, you name it. He pitched a great game.”

Hamels (2-1) got all the support he needed when Ryan Howard hit a two-run triple off Clayton Richard (1-1) with two outs in the third.

Hamels struck out eight and walked three.

Ryan Madson pitched the ninth for his first save.

Hamels also had two singles. His first came in the third, but he was caught off the bag for the first out, so he wasn’t on board when Howard hit his booming triple into the gap in right-center. Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco were on base after drawing consecutive walks and advancing on Clayton Richard’s wild pitch.

“That didn’t turn out too well,” Richard said of the slider to Howard. “He put a good swing on an average pitch. I don’t think it was a terrible pitch but he did a good job with it.”

Richard said it was just as frustrating to walk the batters ahead of Howard. Continued…

By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO — Cole Hamels said there was nothing special about holding his hometown San Diego Padres to four hits on Friday night.

Fans in two full sections at Petco Park thought otherwise, giving Hamels a standing ovation as he walked off the mound after the eighth inning in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2-0 win over the punchless Padres.

“It’s just another place. Nicer weather,” said Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP who went to San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo High School.

“I like pitching in any ballpark,” Hamels said. “Truly, I pitch well in small ballparks, big ballparks, good weather, bad weather. It’s just coming out and trying to get the team. It’s not necessarily how big the ballpark is, it’s who you’re facing. I’ve been able to do well against certain teams, and the Padres are on that list. Thank God Adrian left.”

That was a reference to three-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez, who was traded from San Diego to Boston in December.

The Phillies handed San Diego its second straight shutout and third in five games.

Hamels’ fine performance was the second straight by Philadelphia’s sensational staff against the weak-hitting Padres. On Thursday night, Roy Oswalt and three relievers combined for a four-hit, 3-0 win.

The Padres have gone 21 scoreless innings since Wednesday night’s win in a split doubleheader at Chicago. San Diego has been shut out a major league-leading six times in 20 games. It was Philadelphia’s major league-leading fifth shutout.

“No matter when you face them, you are going to be in for it,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “You have to be on your game to score runs against these guys. Runs are hard to come by.”

After the Padres face Joe Blanton on Saturday night, they will go up against reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay.

“It was fantastic,” manager Charlie Manuel said about Hamels’ performance. “It was really good.”

Hamels threw 126 pitches, one short of his career-high. Hamels retired Jorge Cantu for the final out of the eighth inning with a runner on first. Had Cantu reached base, Manuel would have lifted Hamels.

“Where he was at with the pitch count and everything like that, I definitely wasn’t going to let him lose the game,” Manuel said.

Hamels “was mixing all his pitches,” Cantu said. “He was pitching backward, right at you, one in, one out, you name it. He pitched a great game.”

Hamels (2-1) got all the support he needed when Ryan Howard hit a two-run triple off Clayton Richard (1-1) with two outs in the third.

Hamels struck out eight and walked three.

Ryan Madson pitched the ninth for his first save.

Hamels also had two singles. His first came in the third, but he was caught off the bag for the first out, so he wasn’t on board when Howard hit his booming triple into the gap in right-center. Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco were on base after drawing consecutive walks and advancing on Clayton Richard’s wild pitch.

“That didn’t turn out too well,” Richard said of the slider to Howard. “He put a good swing on an average pitch. I don’t think it was a terrible pitch but he did a good job with it.”

Richard said it was just as frustrating to walk the batters ahead of Howard.

“Great hitters like him, they’ll get their doubles, triples, their home runs,” he said. “It’s minimizing the damage before that.”

The Phillies have won nine straight and 13 of 14 at Petco Park since the 2008 season.

The Padres threatened in the second when Ryan Ludwick walked and Cameron Maybin doubled with one out. After Hamels struck out Will Venable, Alberto Gonzalez was intentionally walked before Richard lined out to shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

Richard allowed two runs and six hits in 7 1-3 innings, struck out four and walked four.

NOTES: Padres 3B Chase Headley didn’t start due to an illness but he entered during a double switch in the top of the eighth. … Padres OF Chris Denorfia was sidelined by a strained groin.

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Cole Hamels(notes) said there was nothing special about holding his hometown San Diego Padres to four hits on Friday night.

Fans in two full sections at Petco Park thought otherwise, giving Hamels a standing ovation as he walked off the mound after the eighth inning in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2-0 win over the punchless Padres.

“It’s just another place. Nicer weather,” said Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP who went to San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo High School.

“I like pitching in any ballpark,” Hamels said. “Truly, I pitch well in small ballparks, big ballparks, good weather, bad weather. It’s just coming out and trying to get the team. It’s not necessarily how big the ballpark is, it’s who you’re facing. I’ve been able to do well against certain teams, and the Padres are on that list. Thank God Adrian left.”

That was a reference to three-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez(notes), who was traded from San Diego to Boston in December.

The Phillies handed San Diego its second straight shutout and third in five games.

Hamels’ fine performance was the second straight by Philadelphia’s sensational staff against the weak-hitting Padres. On Thursday night, Roy Oswalt(notes) and three relievers combined for a four-hit, 3-0 win.

The Padres have gone 21 scoreless innings since Wednesday night’s win in a split doubleheader at Chicago. San Diego has been shut out a major league-leading six times in 20 games. It was Philadelphia’s major league-leading fifth shutout.

“No matter when you face them, you are going to be in for it,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “You have to be on your game to score runs against these guys. Runs are hard to come by.”

After the Padres face Joe Blanton(notes) on Saturday night, they will go up against reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay(notes).

“It was fantastic,” manager Charlie Manuel said about Hamels’ performance. “It was really good.”

Hamels threw 126 pitches, one short of his career-high. Hamels retired Jorge Cantu(notes) for the final out of the eighth inning with a runner on first. Had Cantu reached base, Manuel would have lifted Hamels.

“Where he was at with the pitch count and everything like that, I definitely wasn’t going to let him lose the game,” Manuel said.

Hamels “was mixing all his pitches,” Cantu said. “He was pitching backward, right at you, one in, one out, you name it. He pitched a great game.”

Hamels (2-1) got all the support he needed when Ryan Howard(notes) hit a two-run triple off Clayton Richard(notes) (1-1) with two outs in the third.

Hamels struck out eight and walked three.

Ryan Madson(notes) pitched the ninth for his first save.

Hamels also had two singles. His first came in the third, but he was caught off the bag for the first out, so he wasn’t on board when Howard hit his booming triple into the gap in right-center. Shane Victorino(notes) and Placido Polanco(notes) were on base after drawing consecutive walks and advancing on Clayton Richard’s wild pitch.

“That didn’t turn out too well,” Richard said of the slider to Howard. “He put a good swing on an average pitch. I don’t think it was a terrible pitch but he did a good job with it.”

Richard said it was just as frustrating to walk the batters ahead of Howard.

“Great hitters like him, they’ll get their doubles, triples, their home runs,” he said. “It’s minimizing the damage before that.”

The Phillies have won nine straight and 13 of 14 at Petco Park since the 2008 season.

The Padres threatened in the second when Ryan Ludwick(notes) walked and Cameron Maybin(notes) doubled with one out. After Hamels struck out Will Venable(notes), Alberto Gonzalez(notes) was intentionally walked before Richard lined out to shortstop Jimmy Rollins(notes).

Richard allowed two runs and six hits in 7 1-3 innings, struck out four and walked four.

NOTES: Padres 3B Chase Headley(notes) didn’t start due to an illness but he entered during a double switch in the top of the eighth. … Padres OF Chris Denorfia(notes) was sidelined by a strained groin.

As the Tucson Padres players stretched and prepared for early work Friday afternoon, a work crew gave the scoreboard a makeover.

The white letters above the clock now read: “Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.” The ballpark is no longer called Tucson Electric Park.

A new chapter in Tucson baseball has begun.

For the first time since 2008, a Triple-A baseball team is playing in Tucson. After moving from Portland, Ore., and opening the season with eight road games, the Tucson Padres introduced themselves to their new fan base in their home opener Friday night. The San Diego Padres’ Triple-A affiliate will play in Tucson for two years, until a ballpark may be built in Escondido, Calif.

On a breezy, clear night in the 70s, several fans sprawled on beach towels on the grass beyond the outfield. In all, 6,460 fans gathered at the former home of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A team, who played in the Old Pueblo from 1998 to 2008 before being sold and moving to Reno, Nev.

Anthony Rizzo’s two-run home run in the seventh gave Tucson a lead, but Salt Lake scored three runs in the eighth to spoil the home opener 7-6.

The Padres put the tying run on third in the ninth after Rizzo singled, stole second and advanced on a throwing error. But Aaron Cunningham was called out on strikes to end the game and was ejected by home plate umpire Shaun Francis. Randy Flores took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned. The Padres continued to struggle with their defense and committed three errors, leading to two unearned runs.

Following the form of the two spring training games played in Tucson last month, the game honored those impacted by the Jan. 8 shooting that killed six and wounded 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Four who helped contain the shooter – Bill Badger, Patricia Maisch, Roger Salzgeber and Joe Zamudio – threw out ceremonial first pitches to Rizzo.

The pregame ceremonies also recognized first responders called to the scene of the shooting, including the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Tucson Police and Fire departments. The crowd gave them a standing ovation. The names of the six who died hang on banners on the left field wall.

Simon Castro, a 23-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic rated the Padres’ No. 3 prospect by Baseball America, allowed three runs, including two home runs, in six innings.

After road trips to Colorado Springs and Salt Lake City, the Padres started the season 3-5. The team was hitting .299 – but owned a 7.35 ERA after playing in cold weather and high altitude.

“Hitting has been outstanding,” starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc said. “But it’s early. All these (pitchers) are trying to get a feel for the catchers, and likewise, the catchers are trying to get a feel for the pitchers, what we like to go to in game-deciding situations. So, once we all get on the same page, we can start picking it up.”

Padres owner Jeff Moorad, whose ownership group North County Baseball owns the Tucson team, visited Kino and was looking forward to seeing Rizzo, a Padres top prospect who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the Adrian Gonzalez trade.

“We’ve got a good club. Obviously, they can score a lot of runs,” Moorad said. “They’ve shown that early. I’m a big Rizzo fan. I think he’s going to be a tremendous player.”

Before the game, Rizzo eyed the towering green wall in center field, newly adorned with “Rosemont Copper” in gold letters.

“I don’t know about that big wall in center,” he said. “It’s pretty high. I like it; it’s a big-league facility. The clubhouse is great. The front office is great. So far, so good.”

Inside pitch

• Catcher Eddy Rodriguez was transferred to Tucson from Double-A San Antonio after being activated from the disabled list. The former Reds minor leaguer played last season with Independent Sioux Falls before signing with the Padres in February. Catcher Ross Brayton was transferred to extended spring training from Tucson.

 

The series

Salt Lake at Tucson Padres, Kino Stadium

• Friday: Bees 7, Padres 6

• Today: 7 p.m.

• Sunday: 6 p.m.

• Monday: 7 p.m.

PEORIA – As the San Diego Padres made their final moves this week at spring training, their Triple-A team roster took on a more definite shape.

The Triple-A Tucson Padres will be a young group but will boast major-league experience and combine speed and power, Padres director of player development Randy Smith said Tuesday at the Padres’ spring training complex.

The Padres open the Pacific Coast League season April 7, then play their home opener April 15 at Kino Stadium. The team is expected to play at least two seasons in Tucson before a new ballpark is possibly built in Escondido, Calif.

Shortstop Everth Cabrera, outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Luis Durango, third baseman Jesus Guzman and starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc all have major-league experience and will play in Tucson. LeBlanc, who was a candidate for the major-league rotation and was optioned Monday to Tucson, is expected to be the opening day starter.

“It’s going to be a good club,” Smith said. “It’s going to be young, but I think it’s going to be pretty good, as long as we stay healthy and the major-league club stays healthy.”

Injuries already have impacted Tucson’s roster. A strained hamstring landed outfielder Eric Patterson on San Diego’s disabled list, allowing outfielder Cedric Hunter – initially expected to go to Tucson – to make the big club after an impressive spring. Hunter is expected to join Tucson eventually, while LeBlanc might be with Tucson briefly before going to the majors.

Others slated for Triple-A include first baseman Anthony Rizzo (part of the Adrian Gonzalez trade with Boston), second baseman Logan Forsythe, power-hitting first baseman Matt Clark, and closer Evan Scribner, a former Arizona Diamondbacks farmhand.

Outfielder Mike Baxter, who played 136 Triple-A games last season, will be out for two months because of a thumb injury.

The rotation will include LeBlanc, who started 25 games for San Diego last season, highly regarded prospect Simon Castro, Josh Geer (who pitched for San Diego in 2008-09), Jeremy Hefner and Will Inman. LeBlanc is the lone left-hander of the group.

As for the bullpen, Greg Burke, Scott Munter and Aaron Poreda will return to Triple-A.

“We’re going to be better,” said manager Terry Kennedy, who led the team in Portland, Ore., last season. “Being in Tucson will improve our offense.”

A spark

Cabrera was optioned to Tucson on Monday after the Padres acquired utilityman Alberto Gonzalez from the Washington Nationals. Cabrera received congratulations from his parents and teammates, who had read premature reports of him making the big club.

“It’s a little hard, but I know it happens in baseball,” he said.

The 24-year-old hit .208 in 76 games with San Diego last year after he batted .255 in 103 games in 2009. The Padres want him to play every day.

“He’ll provide a lot of energy for that team and spark,” Smith said.

Another possibility

Another former major-leaguer who could see time in Tucson is first baseman-outfielder Kyle Blanks, who underwent Tommy John surgery on July 30.

Blanks has been taking batting practice, but his throwing has been limited. He said his throwing intensified Monday, a positive step. Smith said he is unsure which level Blanks will go to, but he will need at-bats.

“It’s gone at a pretty good pace,” said Blanks, who has played 87 big-league games over the past two seasons. “In the last month, my activities have increased a lot more than I thought they would.”

Name the Mascot Contest

• How to enter: E-mail media@tucsonpadres.com with your Tucson Padres mascot name idea, your name and your hometown.

The San Diego Padres are setting the tone for an interesting NL West race.

Just before spring training, ace Mat Latos signed three balls intended to raise money for charity, adding the words “I hate SF” in a dig at the defending division and World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

Last Saturday, the Padres and Dodgers perked up their rivalry when the benches emptied after a batter from each team was hit by a pitch.

The Padres will try to win the division after coming painfully close last year. Although they overachieved by winning 90 games, they faltered down the stretch and were eliminated from playoff contention on the season’s last day.

They move on without All-Star slugger Adrian Gonzalez, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox because the Padres said they couldn’t afford to keep him once he became a free agent.

The Padres were a feel-good story most of last summer. They cruised to an NL-best 76-49 record on Aug. 25, good for a 6½-game lead in the NL West. But they lost their next 10 games to see their lead shrink to just one game, and then won only 14 more games the rest of the way.

“The last thing on my mind after last year was being satisfied. You’re that close and then you don’t make it,” said left-hander Clayton Richard, the team’s No. 2 starter. “We’ll take what we can from last year and look forward.”

During spring training a year ago, All-Star closer Heath Bell predicted the Padres would win the World Series.

“I (stink) at predictions,” said Bell, who decided not to prognosticate this year, in part because he wasn’t happy that Latos stirred it up with the “I hate SF” balls.

“This year I’m definitely not predicting anything,” Bell added. “We’re just going to take care of business and not talk about anything else.”

Bell does offer this: “I think we can win more than 90 games. We have a great pitching staff. I think we’re going to be on base more, so we’re going to score a couple more runs, and I think those games where we couldn’t score anything, I think this year we’re going to be able to score. Every game we’re going to score at least a couple of runs, where last year we were struggling to score some runs.”

Despite Gonzalez’s departure, the Padres say they are a more complete team this year.

Bell said the players acquired by general manager Jed Hoyer will make this a livelier, more vocal club. Among them are second baseman Orlando Hudson, who never stops chattering.

“I think this team is going to be a lot more fun,” said Bell, whose 47 saves were one shy of the majors-best 48 by San Francisco’s Brian Wilson. “Last year we jelled really nice. We had a good time, we had fun, but I think this year there’s going to be more antics and more joking around, a lot more fun this year.”

Hoyer brought in Brad Hawpe to replace Gonzalez at first base and strengthened the team up the middle by adding Hudson, shortstop Jason Bartlett and center fielder Cameron Maybin. They’ll go along with holdovers Ryan Ludwick in left field, Chase Headley at third base, Will Venable in right field and catcher Nick Hundley.

Gonzalez hit .298 with 31 homers and 101 RBIs last season, all team-highs. Over the last four seasons, he averaged 34 homers and 104 RBIs.

The Padres know that a lot of players will have to hit better than they did last year if they’re going to contend again.

Venable batted .245 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs last year while Headley hit .264 with 11 homers and 58 RBIs. Hundley had eight homers and 43 RBIs while batting .249.

Ludwick struggled after coming over in a trade with St. Louis, hitting just .211 with six homers and 26 RBIs in 209 at-bats.

Hudson, Hawpe, Bartlett and Maybin also are looking to rebound offensively.

The Padres return a strong pitching staff, although Latos and Richard battled injuries during spring training. Tim Stauffer, who had a strong September, will start in Latos’ place on opening day Thursday at St. Louis.

Although he traded away a handful of relievers, Hoyer was able to keep intact the 1-2-3 punch at the back end of the bullpen in Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams and Bell.

Hoyer hopes the Padres can build on the positives of 2010.

“We kind of shocked baseball for most of the season, which was wonderful,” Hoyer said. “But as I said the day after the season ended, we weren’t quite good enough. We fell a bit short. It kind of makes you hungry going forward. Ninety wins usually makes the playoffs. Last year it didn’t. It wasn’t quite enough.

“There are so many positives from the season, I don’t want not making the playoffs to overshadow that,” Hoyer said. “But at the same, time, as a competitor, yeah, you feel like you lost the race.”

Edinson Volquez realizes the Cincinnati Reds will need a lot from the starting pitchers at the start of the season. No matter who those pitchers are, in fact.

Volquez threw five shaky innings in a tuneup for his start on opening day, and the San Diego Padres beat Cincinnati 10-4 Friday.

Volquez allowed three runs on nine hits and four walks in his final outing before facing Milwaukee next week but he has his health.

“I felt great,” Volquez said. “My arm feels good. Close to where I was last year. I’m very happy. The last inning my delivery was better.”

The Reds, already without Johnny Cueto, found out pitcher Homer Bailey will be on the disabled list to begin the season.

“Johnny is out and now Homer. We need some help,” Volquez said.

Volquez is healthy and ready to pitch in.

“Volquez looked pretty good,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “At first he was a little erratic but he settled down.”

The Reds came into camp with a wealth of young pitchers. Baker dreaded the day he had to make cuts.

“It won’t be easy deciding who we keep and telling them why they didn’t make the club,” Baker said earlier in the spring.

Now the numbers are a big benefit.

“It’s that depth I was talking about earlier,” Baker said. “I didn’t think we’d have to call upon it so soon but we’ll get them right and look at it in a positive way.”

Ryan Ludwick homered and Jorge Cantu had three hits for the Padres. San Diego broke a 3-all tie in the seventh with four runs as Reds backups lost two fly balls in the sun and committed an error.

Cantu was hitting just .205 coming in but leads the team with 12 RBIs.

Casey Kelly, who was reassigned to minor league camp on March 15, started for San Diego. The 21-year-old acquired in a trade with Boston for Adrian Gonzalez allowed three runs in four innings.

“A couple of pitches got away from him but his body of work was good,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “Like we’ve seen all spring, he looked poised, composed on the mound.”

NOTES: San Diego released Kevin Frandsen, who was trying to win the backup shortstop job as a non-roster player. “We put a lot of time and evaluation into this,” Black said. “We felt it was the right time to do this.” … Reds 3B Scott Rolen, hit by a pitch on Thursday, will rest his sore left elbow Friday and probably Saturday. … Padres LHP Wade LeBlanc was scheduled to pitch a minor league game against Triple-A Tacoma.

PEORIA, Ariz. — What I like, and don’t like, about the Padres:

Likes:

• In closer Heath Bell and set-up men Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams, the Padres return the cornerstones of the majors’ best bullpen in 2010 (2.78 ERA). Bell recorded a season-high 47 saves, and his 94 percent save conversion percentage led the majors. Gregerson’s 40 holds established a major-league record and Adams compiled a 1.76 ERA in 70 appearances. Ernesto Frieri and Joe Thatcher return as well, and though Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb were dealt to Florida (in the Cameron Maybin deal), the Padres added veteran Chad Qualls.

• The up-the-middle moves will be intriguing at the least, and could be impressive at best. The Padres will have a new shortstop (Jason Bartlett, acquired from Tampa Bay), new second baseman (Orlando Hudson, signed as a free agent) and a new center fielder (Maybin). “Last year, offensively, we really struggled up the middle until we made the trade for Miguel Tejada,” general manager Jed Hoyer says. “Until then, we were among the last in the league in all three spots. That was something we really needed to upgrade. Especially losing Adrian Gonzalez, we really needed to try and recover some lost offense. And [losing] a player like that, you can’t do it through one guy, so you’ve got to do it through balance.”

• The San Diego running game. Last year’s Padres swiped 126 bases — second in the NL to the Mets — and in the 71 games in which the Padres successfully stole a bag, they went 55-16. Speed is essential in big Petco Park, and it is vital when you don’t have a big home run hitter in the lineup. Manager Bud Black gives every one of his guys the green light, and within that, there are times when he’ll give the steal sign when he wants them to go in a specific situation. Cameron Maybin could be a key ingredient. “He’s a guy who can create tension on an opponent, both defensively, running balls down, and offensively, in getting good leads and having a desire to steal with every pitch,” Black says.

• Better depth. Last year, third baseman Chase Headley was ground down in the season’s final six weeks, and it showed (.215 batting average, .282 on-base percentage in season’s last month). He played more games (158) and total innings (1,407 2/3) than any NL third baseman. Having signed veteran Jorge Cantu, Black now has the option to use Cantu at third periodically to give Headley a rest, and at first to give Brad Hawpe a blow.

Dislikes:

• There will be no replacing traded first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, period. Combining his 101 RBIs and 87 runs scored, Gonzalez accounted for nearly 24 percent of the Padres’ offense last year. That’s significant, and no matter how well things go, it’s hard to see a repeat of 90 wins again in 2011 without a presence in the middle of the lineup like Gonzalez.

• One man who could — and should — help fill the middle-of-the-order void is outfielder Ryan Ludwick. This is a big year for him in that he was disappointing in the second half of last season after the Padres acquired him from St. Louis. Ludwick hit just .211 with six homers and 26 RBI in 59 games for San Diego. Obviously, that needs to change. “Guys get traded at midseason it can go either way, and he pressed,” Hoyer says. “He came in camp in awesome shape. I think he’s ready to have a good year. He didn’t play as well as he expected and he wants to improve.” Ludwick came into camp heavier this spring, but with less body fat. The signs indicating a better summer are there.

• Mat Latos was San Diego’s best starting pitcher last summer, which is no small compliment because the Padre rotation was instrumental in the team ranking second overall in the NL with a 3.39 ERA. Latos won 14 games and compiled a 2.92 ERA. So, what’s not to like? Not a lot, but there is this: He stumbled down the stretch, especially late (1-5, 5.66 ERA in seven starts over the last month) and at times continued to struggle with maturity issues. He’s only 23 and could have a fantastic future. But he’s got to keep his emotions under control all the time. He does that, it could be lights out.

PEORIA, Ariz. — Tim Stauffer is happy with his progress this spring.

Stauffer became the first San Diego Padres pitcher to work five innings this spring, limiting the Cleveland Indians to four hits and a run in a 7-2 win Sunday.

“I wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked, but overall I’m happy,” Stauffer said. “Five innings, 69 pitches is a lot better than 3 1/3 innings and 70 pitches.

“It was a good, clean five innings, pretty economical. For the most part, I was around the strike zone and got a lot of groundball outs.”

Stauffer got nine of his 15 outs on grounders.

The Padres scored three times in the second inning against Indians starter Carlos Carrasco. Eric Patterson had a two-run double to right.

Cleveland scored its first run in the fourth when Jason Kipnis, one of the Indians’ top prospects, tripled and scored on a single by Travis Buck.

Catcher Paul Phillips hit a long homer against Padres closer Heath Bell in the seventh to pull to the Indians to 3-2.

But the Padres scored four runs in the bottom of the inning on Kevin Frandsen’s double and RBI singles by Aaron Cunningham, Guillermo Quiroz and Everth Cabrera, and an RBI double by Cedric Hunter all against left-hander David Huff.

“I was working on fastball command, but I know they look at results,” Huff said. “The first two innings, I threw the ball pretty good and was filling up the strike zone. Then I started rushing myself and left the ball up in the zone. I got hit. I gave up four runs, and I’m upset about it.

“I know what I was doing, know what to do about it, but couldn’t get back in rhythm. It was frustrating. It’s one of those things where I have to learn and move on,” Huff added.

Indians manager Manny Acata said he wasn’t going to judge Huff on one shaky outing — six hits and four runs in 2 2/3 innings.

“We don’t base decisions on one outing, or the last outing or the next outing,” Acta said. “David threw two good innings. In the third inning, he couldn’t make his pitches. But we look at what everybody does overall.”

Notes: Indians third baseman Jason Donald didn’t play for third consecutive day. Donald was hit on left hand by a pitch March 5. He missed three days, played one and has missed the past three. “We have 18 days before the season, so there is plenty of time for Jason, Acta said. “Nothing has changed. There are other options at third base, but Jason is going to have time to show he’s ready to start the season.” … Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore ran the bases for first time since having microfracture left knee surgery in June. “That’s good news for me to hear,” Acta said. … Padres third baseman Chase Headley missed his third consecutive game with a sore calf. He’s expected to play today. Padres catcher Nick Hundley, who was slowed by a groin injury, played for the first time in a week. … The Indians played a ‘B’ game at Glendale vs. the White Sox. Chicago won, 11-8. … The Padres play Seattle in a ‘B’ game this morning. Right-hander Casey Kelly, who came over from the Boston Red Sox in the Adrian Gonzalez trade, is scheduled to start for the Padres.

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Tim Stauffer is happy with his progress this spring.

Stauffer became the first San Diego Padres pitcher to work five innings this spring, limiting the Cleveland Indians to four hits and a run in a 7-2 win Sunday.

“I wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked, but overall I’m happy,” Stauffer said. “Five innings, 69 pitches is a lot better than 3 1-3 innings and 70 pitches.

“It was a good, clean five innings, pretty economical,” Stauffer added. “For the most part, I was around the strike zone and got a lot of groundball outs.”

Stauffer got nine of his 15 outs on grounders.

The Padres scored three times in the second inning off Indians starter Carlos Carrasco. Eric Patterson had a two-run double to right.

Cleveland scored its first run in the fourth when Jason Kipnis, one of the top prospects in the organization, tripled and scored on a single by Travis Buck.

Catcher Paul Phillips hit a long homer off Padres closer Heath Bell in the seventh to pull to the Indians to 3-2.

But the Padres scored four runs in the bottom of the inning on Kevin Frandsen’s double and RBI singles by Aaron Cunningham, Guillermo Quiroz and Everth Cabrera, and an RBI double by Cedric Hunter all off lefty David Huff.

“I was working on fastball command, but I know they look at results,” Huff said. “The first two innings, I threw the ball pretty good and was filling up the strike zone. Then I started rushing myself and left the ball up in the zone. I got hit. I gave up four runs, and I’m upset about it.

“I know what I was doing, know what to do about it, but couldn’t get back in rhythm. It was frustrating. It’s one of those things where I have to learn and move on,” Huff added.

Indians manager Manny Acata said he wasn’t going to judge Huff on one shaky outing — six hits and four runs in 22/3 innings.

“We don’t base decisions on one outing, or the last outing or the next outing,” Acta said. “David threw two good innings. In the third inning, he couldn’t make his pitches. But we look at what everybody does overall.”

NOTES: Indians third baseman Jason Donald didn’t play for third straight day. Donald was hit on left hand by pitch last Saturday. He missed three days, played one and has missed the last three. “We have 18 days before the season, so there is plenty of time for Jason, Acta said. “Nothing has changed. There are other options at third base, but Jason is going to have time to show he’s ready to start the season.” … Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore ran the bases for first time since having microfracture left knee surgery last June. “That’s good news for me to hear,” Acta said. … Padres third baseman Chase Headley missed his third straight game with a sore calf. He’s expected to play Monday. Padres catcher Nick Hundley, who was slowed by a groin injury, played for the first time in a week. … Also Sunday, the Indians played a B game at Glendale vs. the White Sox. Chicago won, 11-8. … The Padres play the Seattle Mariners in a B game Monday morning. Right-hander Casey Kelly, who came over from the Boston Red Sox in the Adrian Gonzalez trade, is scheduled to start for the Padres.

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP)—Tim Stauffer(notes) is happy with his progress this spring.

Stauffer became the first San Diego Padres pitcher to work five innings this spring, limiting the Cleveland Indians to four hits and a run in a 7-2 win Sunday.

“I wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked, but overall I’m happy,” Stauffer said. “Five innings, 69 pitches is a lot better than 3 1-3 innings and 70 pitches.

“It was a good, clean five innings, pretty economical,” Stauffer added. “For the most part, I was around the strike zone and got a lot of groundball outs.”

Stauffer got nine of his 15 outs on grounders.

The Padres scored three times in the second inning off Indians starter Carlos Carrasco(notes). Eric Patterson(notes) had a two-run double to right.

Cleveland scored its first run in the fourth when Jason Kipnis(notes), one of the top prospects in the organization, tripled and scored on a single by Travis Buck(notes).

Catcher Paul Phillips(notes) hit a long homer off Padres closer Heath Bell(notes) in the seventh to pull to the Indians to 3-2.

But the Padres scored four runs in the bottom of the inning on Kevin Frandsen’s(notes) double and RBI singles by Aaron Cunningham(notes), Guillermo Quiroz(notes) and Everth Cabrera(notes), and an RBI double by Cedric Hunter all off lefty David Huff(notes).

“I was working on fastball command, but I know they look at results,” Huff said. “The first two innings, I threw the ball pretty good and was filling up the strike zone. Then I started rushing myself and left the ball up in the zone. I got hit. I gave up four runs, and I’m upset about it.

“I know what I was doing, know what to do about it, but couldn’t get back in rhythm. It was frustrating. It’s one of those things where I have to learn and move on,” Huff added.

Indians manager Manny Acata said he wasn’t going to judge Huff on one shaky outing—six hits and four runs in 2 2-3 innings.

“We don’t base decisions on one outing, or the last outing or the next outing,” Acta said. “David threw two good innings. In the third inning, he couldn’t make his pitches. But we look at what everybody does overall.”

NOTES: Indians third baseman Jason Donald(notes) didn’t play for third straight day. Donald was hit on left hand by pitch last Saturday. He missed three days, played one and has missed the last three. “We have 18 days before the season, so there is plenty of time for Jason, Acta said. “Nothing has changed. There are other options at third base, but Jason is going to have time to show he’s ready to start the season.” … Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore(notes) ran the bases for first time since having microfracture left knee surgery last June. “That’s good news for me to hear,” Acta said. … Padres third baseman Chase Headley(notes) missed his third straight game with a sore calf. He’s expected to play Monday. Padres catcher Nick Hundley(notes), who was slowed by a groin injury, played for the first time in a week. … Also Sunday, the Indians played a B game at Glendale vs. the White Sox. Chicago won, 11-8. … The Padres play the Seattle Mariners in a B game Monday morning. Right-hander Casey Kelly(notes), who came over from the Boston Red Sox in the Adrian Gonzalez(notes) trade, is scheduled to start for the Padres.

By Bernie Wilson, Associated Press 7:50 PM Wednesday, March 9, 2011

PEORIA, Ariz. — Aaron Harang had a rocky reunion with the Cincinnati Reds in the desert.

Ryan Hanigan hit a three-run homer and Chris Heisey had a two-run shot off Harang in the Reds’ 15-5 victory against a San Diego Padres split squad on Wednesday.

Admitting to “a little bit of nervous adrenaline,” Harang left too many fastballs up in the strike zone and allowed seven hits and seven runs in three innings to a Reds lineup minus many projected starters.

“You kind of want to go out there and do well against your old team,” said Harang, the Reds’ opening day starter the last five seasons who signed with his hometown Padres in December. “I guess I look at it that it’s better to get it out of the way down here than having it happen the first time throwing against them during the season.

“They came out swinging. They knew I was going to throw strikes. Them knowing my history, that I’m not going to back down, I’m going to come right at you with the fastball, they were taking advantage of it with the ball being elevated and swinging at the first pitch.”

The 6-foot-7 Harang spent the last 7? seasons with the Reds, winning 16 games in 2006 and 2007. But he struggled the last three years, going 6-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 2010, when he was bothered by back spasms.

After retiring the first three batters to run his spring streak to nine straight, Harang allowed five straight hits to open the second inning, including Hanigan’s homer.

Harang (0-1) had trouble out of the stretch.

“Out of the windup I was good,” he said. “The last start everything was down in the zone. The first inning it was down in the zone. I just got out of the stretch and I got a little ahead of myself and was staying elevated. It always equates into bad situations. But it’s only my second start, so we’re not too worried about it. It gives me something I’ve got to work on in my next bullpen and future starts.”

After giving up five runs in the second inning, he started the third inning in the stretch, but walked Yonder Alonso and then gave up Heisey’s homer.

“The first inning he threw some good pitches,” manager Bud Black. “Actually his last eight to 10 pitches were pretty good in the third inning. In between, just too many balls mid-thigh to the belt. That’s what spring training’s for. You’ve got to resolve this. He’s going to be fine.”

Juan Francisco hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Matt Lollis.

“It was their turn today,” said Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker, whose Reds took a similar pounding on Monday, losing 11-3 to Kansas City.

Edinson Volquez had been scheduled to start for Cincinnati, but returned to the Dominican Republic to straighten out a work visa issue. He was due back in Arizona later Wednesday.

Chad Reineke (2-0), who was with the Padres briefly in 2008, allowed just a walk in two innings.

“We played well. We pitched well. We played a heck of a defense,” Baker said. “Especially when those young boys got in there they were all over the place. The (young players) are hard to pitch to. If they can hit the fastball, they’re going to hit.”

San Diego’s Casey Kelly, the key prospect obtained from Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, pitched two perfect innings. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in five innings spanning three appearances.

By Bernie Wilson, Associated Press 7:50 PM Wednesday, March 9, 2011

PEORIA, Ariz. — Aaron Harang had a rocky reunion with the Cincinnati Reds in the desert.

Ryan Hanigan hit a three-run homer and Chris Heisey had a two-run shot off Harang in the Reds’ 15-5 victory against a San Diego Padres split squad on Wednesday.

Admitting to “a little bit of nervous adrenaline,” Harang left too many fastballs up in the strike zone and allowed seven hits and seven runs in three innings to a Reds lineup minus many projected starters.

“You kind of want to go out there and do well against your old team,” said Harang, the Reds’ opening day starter the last five seasons who signed with his hometown Padres in December. “I guess I look at it that it’s better to get it out of the way down here than having it happen the first time throwing against them during the season.

“They came out swinging. They knew I was going to throw strikes. Them knowing my history, that I’m not going to back down, I’m going to come right at you with the fastball, they were taking advantage of it with the ball being elevated and swinging at the first pitch.”

The 6-foot-7 Harang spent the last 7? seasons with the Reds, winning 16 games in 2006 and 2007. But he struggled the last three years, going 6-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 2010, when he was bothered by back spasms.

After retiring the first three batters to run his spring streak to nine straight, Harang allowed five straight hits to open the second inning, including Hanigan’s homer.

Harang (0-1) had trouble out of the stretch.

“Out of the windup I was good,” he said. “The last start everything was down in the zone. The first inning it was down in the zone. I just got out of the stretch and I got a little ahead of myself and was staying elevated. It always equates into bad situations. But it’s only my second start, so we’re not too worried about it. It gives me something I’ve got to work on in my next bullpen and future starts.”

After giving up five runs in the second inning, he started the third inning in the stretch, but walked Yonder Alonso and then gave up Heisey’s homer.

“The first inning he threw some good pitches,” manager Bud Black. “Actually his last eight to 10 pitches were pretty good in the third inning. In between, just too many balls mid-thigh to the belt. That’s what spring training’s for. You’ve got to resolve this. He’s going to be fine.”

Juan Francisco hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Matt Lollis.

“It was their turn today,” said Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker, whose Reds took a similar pounding on Monday, losing 11-3 to Kansas City.

Edinson Volquez had been scheduled to start for Cincinnati, but returned to the Dominican Republic to straighten out a work visa issue. He was due back in Arizona later Wednesday.

Chad Reineke (2-0), who was with the Padres briefly in 2008, allowed just a walk in two innings.

“We played well. We pitched well. We played a heck of a defense,” Baker said. “Especially when those young boys got in there they were all over the place. The (young players) are hard to pitch to. If they can hit the fastball, they’re going to hit.”

San Diego’s Casey Kelly, the key prospect obtained from Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, pitched two perfect innings. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in five innings spanning three appearances.