From Peoria: Myers’ 5-RBI Inning Leads Padres to 8-5 Win

Wil Myers ripped a two-run home run and a 3-run double in an eight-run fourth inning Monday night, breaking out of his Spring slump and leading the San Diego Padres to an 8-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

The offenses started slowly, with a Christian Bethancourt single in the third inning being the only hit by either team. Padres’ starter James Shields started extremely well, striking out five while holding the Reds hitless through the first three innings.

So I went to get a hot dog. When I returned, the wizened gentleman behind me told me, “You missed a 460-foot homer off of Mr. Shields by Joey Votto.” Although I had just been thinking I’d enjoy a little offense in this game, I can’t say I’m sorry I missed that. “It came after he hit a batter,” he added. Ouch.

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But it appeared that Votto’s blast opened the door for some scoring, because Matt Kemp led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, and Myers followed with a two-run shot of his own, knotting the score at two. After Yangervis Solarte walked, new Padres shortstop Alexei Ramirez roped a shot down the left field line for a run-scoring double. Even James Shields got a hit during the Padres’ outburst, stroking a single up the middle. Jon Jay, who was already having a tough night at the plate with two strikeouts, got hit with a pitch. And after Kemp legged out an infield single (well, sort of…), Myers smashed a bases-clearing double, upping the Padres’ lead to 8-2.

Myers had only driven in two runs prior to Monday night’s game. His two hits raised his batting average from .167 to .205.

Next: From Peoria: Thoughts Heading into Padres Spring Game #19

In the fifth, Shields’ collapse continued with a leadoff walk. The defense didn’t do him any favors when Ramirez lost the handle on a routine grounder from the next batter, putting men on first and second. Shields then got nailed by a line drive off his, well, let’s say his rear upper thigh, but he managed to scoop up the ball and retire the runner. A walk and a bases-loaded hit batsman ended Shields’ night. Overall, he gave up four runs on one hit, walking three and striking out five in 4.1 innings. Not the numbers we expected after his fine first three innings.

Joey Votto added a sac fly, and a Beamer Weems single in the ninth rounded out the scoring in the Padres 8-5 win. Yes. Beamer Weems.

Game notes:

The Padres managed just three hits outside of the fourth inning.

Matt Kemp had a fine night at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored in three plate appearances, raising his Spring average to .387.

Jabari Blash hit in the sixth inning, hitting a mile-high silo shot that the catcher caught in foul territory.

And in one of the more exciting innings of the night, Fernando Rodney pitched the seventh for the Padres. He came out with his hat perched at that awkward angle, and walked the first batter on four pitches. He walked the second batter on five pitches, and during that at bat, the baserunner stole second. The next hitter lined a single so hard into left field that the runner couldn’t score, loading the bases with nobody out. He then proceeded to strike out the next hitter on three pitches, the following hitter on a 2-2 count, and had two strikes on the next guy before inducing him to ground out to second for the third out and a scoreless inning. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the Fernando Rodney Experience.

We took a few photos before and during the game. See below.

Day game tomorrow. Padres against the Rangers. See you there.

Box Score

Votto carrying his weapons. Photo credit: Kathy Whelan

Shields smiling pregame. Photo Credit: Kathy Whelan

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