Padres vs. Royals Game Recap 3/17/12

It may have been the night game atmosphere, or it could have been the fact that it was the first Fox Sports San Diego broadcast, but yesterday’s game between the Padres and Royals felt more real than most of this spring has felt.  And to top things off, the Padres scored early and scored late to top Kansas City 8-5.

Some of the Padres prospects, both current and future, shined last night in the windy conditions of Peoria, Arizona.  Yonder Alonso smashed a three run double in the first inning, then he smacked a single to centerfield in the third.  On the day, Alonso was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and a run scored.  But he wasn’t the only contributor.

Jedd Gyorko, Jaff Decker, Brad Davis, and Jonathan Galvez drove in runs.  Decker got his first shot in centerfield this spring as he relieved Cameron Maybin.  Maybin went 1 for 3 with a walk.  After a terrible start, Maybin’s batting average has crept to .259.

Cory Luebke started the game for the Padres, and while he gave up two runs in four innings of work, he looked sharp.  His pitches had good movement, and he gave up singles rather than extra base hits.  In all, Luebke gave up six hits, walked two, and struck out four.  Last night’s game marks the first two runs Luebke has given up all spring, so his ERA “ballooned” from 0.00 to 2.00.

The Padres will travel to Scottsdale to take on the Giants this afternoon.  Edinson Volquez will take on Madison Bumgarner at 1:05 PT.  The split squad game in Tucson has been rescheduled for Thursday ahead of inclement weather.