Padres drop 2 of 3 to Mariners
By Matt Welch
February 22, 2013; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (68, left) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
After starting off the weekend hot with a 9-3 win over the Mariners, the Padres dropped the next two games to fall to 1-2 in spring training.
Top prospect Jedd Gyorko started the weekend off right, hitting a grand slam at his first at bat of the spring. The Padres ended up scoring six runs in the fist inning en route to the 9-3 win. Sean O’Sullivan picked up the win, pitching two perfect innings.
In game two, the Padres rallied late in the 9th inning but fell short, losing 8-6. Jeudy Valdez went 2-for-2 with a double, and a two-run home run in the 9th. He finished with 3 RBI’s in the losing effort. Tyson Ross was credited with the loss. Ross pitched 2.0 innings, striking out two batters and allowing two earned runs.
In game three, veteran Freddy Garcia got tagged for 5 runs, 4 earned, in just one inning of work. Alexi Amarista went 2-3 with 1 RBI. The Padres eventually lost 8-3.
For the series, Gyorko went 2-for-6 with 5 RBI’s. Valdez, who was sent to the minors not too long ago, went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI’s. All Star Chase Headley only had two at-bats but he managed to get one hit and a stolen base in just one game.
O’Sullivan looked solid in the first start of the spring, not allowing a hit or giving up a walk in his short two innings of work. Ross, one of the top pitching prospects for the Padres, also looked good on the mound. He had good command of his fastball and change-up. Garcia, on the other hand, looked rusty.
The Padres are back in action tomorrow in a split squad game against the Brewers at 3:05 pm ET (12:05 PT).