Padres vs. Rangers Game Recap 3/7/12

In the home game of the split squads yesterday, the Padres took on the Rangers, but judging by the media and the television broadcast, it would be easy to assume the Padres were taking on the entire country of Japan.  The Rangers rookie, Yu Darvish, started for Texas.  The Padres issued over 150 media credentials.  The normal  number is around 20.

Darvish was impressive in his debut, but some of the Padres batters put some good swings on him.  Orlando Hudson slapped a two-out double off of Darvish, a hustle play more than anything and a good sign from O-Dog.  In the second inning, Will Venable, taking full advantage of the high winds, blasted a pitch from Darvish to deep center field.  The ball caromed off the wall for an easy double.

Darvish, though, did not allow a run, gave up just those two hits, and struck out three in two innings of work.  Jeff Suppan got the start for the Padres.  He also went two scoreless innings.  The Rangers broke the game open in the fourth when they scored four runs on five consecutive two-out hits.

The Padres got themselves on the board in the eight when Blake Tekotte hit a two-run triple, but it was too little too late.  The Padres dropped the contest 6-2.