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Padres News: Spring Training Recap, March 26th

By Andrew Beccarelli

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Welcome back Friar Faithful! The San Diego Padres dropped one against the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday, bringing their Cactus League record to 11-11. Today they faced the Arizona Diamondbacks in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Brandon Morrow was originally scheduled to start but was scratched because of a blister on his right hand. His competition for the fifth starter spot in the rotation, Odrisamer Despaigne, took his place and threw another impressive performance.

Despaigne threw for five innings, only allowing one run on seven hits. After today, Despaigne’s ERA is a low 2.12. There may still be a couple days left in Spring Training, but I don’t think there’s a competition for the fifth starter anymore, Despaigne’s clearly our guy; Morrow would be better utilized in the bullpen. I got to see them both pitch live last Saturday, and it’s my opinion Despaigne’s got the hotter arm right now.

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Speaking of hot, Yonder Alonso sure brought the fire today. The Padres first baseman went 3-3, bringing his spring batting average to .300. Sorry to say, but we’ve been overlooking Alonso this preseason. Most of us have been too fascinated with the prospect of Carlos Quentin at first, or Tommy Medica getting a shot in the big leagues, that we haven’t paid much attention to the man whose job at first is still his to lose.

Alonso is a decent first baseman, so if he can get his average back up and turn himself into the doubles machine he was his rookie year, then maybe Alonso really is the Padres long term answer at first after all.

Time will tell.

It was a relatively low scoring affair for both teams, who tied today with three runs a piece; this is actually the Padres first tie of the 2015 Cactus League season.

James Shields will be back on the mound for the Padres tomorrow as they take on the Colorado Rockies from their home away from home, the Peoria Sports Complex.

Friars On Base will have all the highlights for you. Join us again, same time tomorrow.

Go Pads!

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