Spring Training Trip Recap

Sep 1, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges (18) hits an RBI sacrifice fly in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Royals v Padres 3/4/16

I was excited to see the Padres play as according to our game plan this would actually be the only Padres action we would be able to catch this weekend. My main goals were to see their top three prospects of Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe, and Carlos Asuaje and catch a foul ball. I didn’t catch a foul ball but was able to follow through on the rest of my goals. After milling with some of the players near the fence before the game, I took my seat which was just a few rows behind the Padres dugout. Peoria has also been renovated over the last couple of seasons and is a very nice ballpark, with again a good selection of food and craft beer options.

Padres starter Colin Rea went two innings allowing no runs, 2 hits, 2K’s and a walk. He was matched by Royals starter Yordani Ventura, who struck out 1 in 2 innings and only allowed 1 hit. The Royals scored first in the third on a Kendrys Morales double off of Carlos Villanueva for the Padres, and the 1-0 score held until the 7th when Austin Hedges doubled in a run to tie things up.

In the bottom half of the 8th, Adam Rosales doubled off of Peter Moylan to bring in a second run and later would score from third on a wild pitch to give the Padres the 3-1 lead. Jose Dominguez would strike out 2 in the 9th to pick up his first save and secure the Padres victory.

The Padres have a few players they are absolutely relying on this year- but perhaps their strength might be their bench. Seeing guys like Austin Hedges and Rosales provide the Padres with key depth could be the difference between a .500 and last place finish. The bullpen also pitched admirably against the majority of the Royals regulars.

My only complaint of the experience is that when I ordered a baked potato loaded hot dog they were out of fries and even after waiting for five minutes did they just end up giving me the hot dog without french fries on it. I did not get a discount and missed the go-ahead double from Rosales. All in all though a great night at the ballpark as this picture below shows.

Next: Cubs - Reds 3/5/16

Schedule