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Padres Press Clips Saturday, July 29, 2017

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Travis Wood helps himself in Padres debut UT San Diego Lin 2

Days before the trade deadline, Brad Hand goes UT San Diego Lin 4

back-to-back-to-back

Padres prospect Anderson Espinoza has torn UCL, will UT San Diego Lin 6

undergo Tommy John surgery

New acquisition Matt Strahm surprised but happy to be with Padres UT San Diego Lin 8

First pitch: Pirates a familiar foe for Travis Wood UT San Diego Sanders 10

Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr. shared more than HOF induction UT San Diego Sanders 12

Talking with ... Padres shortstop Dusty Coleman UT San Diego Sanders 13

Spangenberg, Wood combine to sink Pirates MLB.com Ruiz/Berry 15

Wood you believe this Padres debut? MLB.com Ruiz 18

Espinoza set to have Tommy John surgery MLB.com Cassavell 20

Strahm surprised, happy to be in San Diego MLB.com Ruiz 22

Lamet seeks consistency against Pirates MLB.com Berry 24

Friars' depth key in handling prospect setbacks Padres.com Center 25

Wood, 3 relievers combine on 2-hitter in Padres' win Associated Press AP 28

This Day in Padres History, 7/29 FriarWire Center 30

Padres On Deck: Austin Allen Has Three More Hits for FriarWire Center 31

A-Lake Elsinore

Grooming at ballpark becoming trend for baseball players Associated Press AP 34

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Travis Wood helps himself in Padres debut Dennis Lin

In his Padres debut and return to the National League, Travis Wood helped himself.

The left-hander, who was acquired Monday from Kansas City, started Friday’s series opener against visiting Pittsburgh on the mound. Primarily a reliever over the last two and a half seasons, he completed six innings for the first time since April 28, 2015.

At the plate, he upheld a reputation. The former Cincinnati Red and Chicago Cub entered as a career .181 hitter with nine home runs in 281 at-bats. Against the Pirates, he got the Padres on the board with a fourth-inning single.

Wood’s arm and bat proved critical components of a 3-2 win at Petco Park. After his exit, the Padres plated two runs, including the go-ahead score, in the bottom of the sixth. Their bullpen sealed a third consecutive victory.

It would not have been possible without the newcomer. Wood faltered only once. With two outs in the third, he hit Josh Harrison before serving up a home run to Andrew McCutchen. He allowed just one other hit and one walk, both in the top of the first.

“You know he’s not scared of anything,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “You know he’s the type of guy that’s competed in big-game situations plenty of times in life. He’s not going to be scared pitching for a new team. He’s blended really well over the last number of days in the clubhouse.”

The final line — six innings, two hits, two runs, a walk, seven strikeouts, 81 pitches — represented one of the Padres’ most efficient starts this season. For Wood, it signified a promising introduction. In 28 appearances with the Royals, he had posted a career-worst 6.91 ERA.

“The one to McCutchen I’d like to have back,” Wood said. “But other than that, I was able to keep them off balance, throw strikes and get quick outs.

“I’m just taking this opportunity as a fresh start, to come here and don’t think about anything that’s happened this season. Just come in and put in work and do anything I can to help this young ballclub out that seems to have a lot of passion and loves to play and loves to win.”

At least early on, the Padres did not provide much support. Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth. The Padres loaded the bases with two outs. Wood lined a single to left, scoring Cory Spangenberg.

“I love hitting, so it was really nice for me,” Wood said. “Being able to get a hit there was clutch.”

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On the same play, Jabari Blash was held at third. Rookie Allen Cordoba, who had aggressively rounded second, found himself in no man’s land. The inning ended with Pittsburgh still ahead.

“You don’t want to make mistakes like that,” Green said. “He doesn’t want to make mistakes like that. Upside to Allen Cordoba, he walked three times today. … You hope he learns from it and moves on. It’s out of effort and desire that a young kid’s making a mistake on the field.”

The Padres capitalized in the sixth. Jose Pirela singled with one out, then went first-to-home on a triple by Spangenberg. Cordoba watched a wild pitch bounce past him. Spangenberg dashed in from third, giving San Diego a 3-2 lead.

After Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates combined on a pair of scoreless innings, Brad Hand, one of baseball’s top remaining trade targets, took the mound for his third save opportunity in as many nights. Hand made it 3-for-3, yielding a single before inducing a strikeout and a game-ending double play.

“He walked right off the mound, and I was shaking his hand afterwards, and he said, ‘I’m up (Saturday), right?’” Green said with a smile. “Probably in our best interest and his best interest to let him breathe for the day at this point.

Said Hand: “I’ll try to lobby myself in there, and we’ll see what happens. But I feel good. As long as I feel good, I feel like I can pitch.”

With the victory, the Padres clinched their first winning month since July 2015.

“I think we’ve been playing really good baseball,” Spangenberg said. “After the first couple months, we’re very competitive. The young guys are really stepping up. I think they’re learning, and I think we’re making huge strides. With the trade deadline, people are going, but I think we have a great core here and I think we’re only going to improve.”

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Days before the trade deadline, Brad Hand goes back-to-back-to-back Dennis Lin

As rumors continue to engulf him, Brad Hand might be the person least affected by the noise.

The non-waiver trade deadline loomed Friday during the Padres’ 3-2 win against Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Hand converted his third save opportunity in as many nights. The lefty has been thrust into ninth-inning duty since closer Brandon Maurer was among the arms dealt to Kansas City on Monday.

“I look at it as it’s the same as the eighth inning,” Hand said late Friday. “You’ve got to get three outs, keep the lead. It just happens to be the ninth inning is the inning that ends the game.”

Hand’s latest performance was his 19th consecutive scoreless appearance, lowering his ERA to 2.00. His versatility and durability — traits that, combined with two-plus seasons of club control, make him a highly coveted asset — have been on full display.

In a rare occurrence, the 27-year-old recently went four days without pitching. He returned to the mound July 20, completing another no-run inning but also allowing two hits and a walk.

Since then, Hand has pitched five times in eight days. Over that five-inning span, he has allowed two hits and no walks, striking out eight.

“I wasn’t upset,” Hand said. “It was just after that fourth day, when I pitched, I didn’t feel as fresh. And then the next day, I went like 1-2-3 or whatever, and I said, ‘No more four days off.’

“I just like pitching multiple days. If you don’t get off the bump for four days, it’s kind of a long time. But that’s part of it, and you’ve got to learn to be good even when you do get four days off. Whenever I’m put in the game is when I pitch, and you just try to stay as sharp as you can in between.”

Padres manager Andy Green has mostly obliged his reliever’s wishes. But even Hand, who leads the majors in appearances since the start of last season, has limits.

“I was shaking his hand afterwards, and he said, ‘I’m up (Saturday), right?’” Green said after Friday’s game. “Gives you an idea of how he feels about it. I think he wants to pitch every single day. Probably in our best interest and his best interest to let him breathe for the day at this point.”

Said Hand: “I’ll try to lobby myself in there, and we’ll see what happens. But I feel good. As long as I feel good, I feel like I can pitch.”

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With his value soaring, Hand might soon be pitching for another club. Contenders such as the Astros, Dodgers and Rays have enough bullpen need that someone could meet the Padres’ asking price by Monday’s trade deadline.

Asked if he expects to be moved, Hand said: “No clue. Just taking it day by day. Whatever happens at the end of the day is out of my control, so we’ll see what happens.”

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Padres prospect Anderson Espinoza has torn UCL, will undergo Tommy John surgery Dennis Lin

Anderson Espinoza, the Padres’ No. 1 prospect entering the year, has a torn ulnar collateral

ligament and will undergo Tommy John surgery next week. The procedure likely will sideline

the 19-year-old right-hander through the end of next season.

Espinoza never made his 2017 debut. Forearm tightness thwarted his opening attempt to pitch

for high Single-A Lake Elsinore. In late April, the Padres shut him down again. An MRI taken

around that time did not reveal ligament damage. Espinoza resumed throwing in June and

progressed to bullpens this month.

Thursday, in his fourth session off the mound, Espinoza felt a pulling sensation and some pain

in his elbow, leading to the latest diagnosis. Dr. Keith Meister will perform Espinoza’s surgery in

Dallas.

“Considering his age and how hard he throws and how much time we’ve give him to rest and

recuperate, we just determined it was the best course of action,” General Manager A.J. Preller

said.

Espinoza, who touched 100 mph with his fastball as a 17-year-old, was considered one of the

game’s best young talents when the Padres acquired him last July. In exchange, they sent All-

Star left-hander Drew Pomeranz to Boston.

After the completion of the trade, the Red Sox complained that they had not been made aware of

anti-inflammatory medication Pomeranz was taking. A subsequent investigation into the Padres’

medical recordkeeping and exchange practices resulted in a 30-day suspension of Preller. Major

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League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred later revealed that the Red Sox had declined an

opportunity to rescind the deal.

Pomeranz had an uneven debut in Boston, and was eventually moved out of the rotation because

of forearm soreness. This season, after missing one start with a forearm flexor strain, he has

largely returned to form. Through 20 starts, he is 10-4 with a 3.59 ERA.

As one of the youngest players in low Single-A last season, Espinoza recorded a 4.49 ERA in 25

appearances (24 starts). After the trade, he had a 4.73 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts)

for the Padres’ affiliate in Fort Wayne.

“We went through the process at the time, and obviously we signed off on (the trade),” Preller

said. “…As of right now, we have some clarity. We’ve been in a position the last three months

where we felt like he’d be able to get through whatever he was going through.”

While Espinoza is facing a second consecutive season of lost development, the Padres still view

him as a vital part of their future.

“With his age, he’s a good athlete and he’s a hard worker,” Preller said. “Those types of guys are

going to come back and be better than ever.”

Another well-regarded pitching prospect could be a potential example. One year ago, the Padres

acquired Chris Paddack from Miami. The right-hander made three starts for Fort Wayne before

requiring Tommy John surgery last August.

Paddack, whose surgery was performed by Dr. Meister, is currently throwing bullpens in

Arizona. The 21-year-old is expected to pitch in instructional-league games in September.

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New acquisition Matt Strahm surprised but happy to be with Padres Dennis Lin

In a July 1 game against Minnesota, Matt Strahm jumped off the mound in an attempt to field a high chopper. Soon, the left-hander was down with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. On July 7, he underwent season-ending surgery.

On Monday, Strahm received a phone call from Kansas City General Manager Dayton Moore. The 25-year-old, along with left-hander Travis Wood and infield prospect Esteury Ruiz, had been traded to the Padres for Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter.

“I was shocked being on the shelf and everything, but when Dayton called me I just understood the business end of it,” Strahm said after arriving in the Padres’ clubhouse Friday. “Obviously, this was the one way I could help (the Royals) win, in their eyes, right now, so totally understood it.”

The Padres expect Strahm, 25, to help them in 2018 and beyond. The pitcher will have a four-week checkup with Dr. Timothy Kremchek next Friday. He is expected to remain in a knee brace for five more weeks. Strahm siad Kremchek gave him a recovery timetable of four to six months.

After he returns to action, he could eventually work near the front of the Padres’ rotation or toward the back of their bullpen.

“It’s a live arm, and I think people are going to look up in the middle of next season, when he’s back in full form and go, ‘Wow, that was a great pickup,’” manager Andy Green said. “He’s going to have every opportunity to establish himself here in whatever capacity he thrives in. I’m hopeful it’s the starting rotation because I think there’s a lot in him. … If he has to pitch in the back end of the bullpen, he showed he could do that last year and do it very well.”

Strahm, who posted a 3.81 ERA over 45 appearances (three starts) for Kansas City, said he would be willing to pitch in any capacity.

“(The Padres’) farm system is loaded,” he said. “Should be an exciting future here, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Notable

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• Second baseman Yangervis Solarte (left oblique strain) was scheduled for seven to nine innings at shortstop with Triple-A El Paso on Friday. Solarte had not played the position in the majors since 2014.

• Meanwhile, catcher Austin Hedges (concussion) was scheduled for five to seven innings in the Arizona Rookie League. He could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Sunday.

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First pitch: Pirates a familiar foe for Travis Wood Jeff Sanders

Before signing a two-year, $12 million deal this year with the Royals, Travis Woodhad spent his entire career in the NL Central – first as a Reds second-round pick in 2005 and then five years as a Cub.

That makes the Pirates an awfully familiar team to the 30-year-old left-hander.

In fact, the only team that Wood is more familiar with is the Cardinals, whom he’s thrown 109 innings against.

The Pirates are next on that list with 90 innings. In that time, Wood is 6-8 with a 4.10 ERA, 86 strikeouts and 32 walks in 30 appearances, including 15 starts.

Wood allowed two earned runs in five innings out of the bullpen last year against Pittsburgh.

A look at Wood’s history against current Pirates (non-pitchers):

• Andrew McCutchen | 41 PAs, .250/.390/.469, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 7 BBs, 8 Ks • Starling Marte | 30 PAs, .321/.367/.750, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, 2 BBs, 8 Ks • Josh Harrison | 25 PAs, .261/.280/.565, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 1 BB, 3 Ks • David Freese | 20 PAs, .313/.450/.313, 0 HRs, 2 RBIs, 4 BBs, 3 Ks • Jody Mercer | 20 PAs, .353/.450/.882, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 3 BBs, 1 K • Francisco Cervelli | 9 PAs, .375/.444/.500, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs, 1 BB, 3 Ks • Chris Stewart | 5 PAs, .200/.200/.200, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs, 0 BBs, 1 K

Notable

• INF Yangervis Solarte is expected to play seven-to-nine innings in his second rehab game with Triple-A El Paso – yes, at shortstop. Solarte was 0-for-2 with a walk, a strikeout and a run scored Thursday. He could be activated as soon as Sunday if all goes well.

• C Austin Hedges will catch five to seven innings tonight in the Arizona Rookie League. Like Solarte, if all goes well, he’ll take batting practice in San Diego on Saturday and be activated Sunday.

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ON DECK | Pirates (50-52) at Padres (45-57)

Game 1: 7:10 p.m. Friday

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Pirates RHP Chad Kuhl (3-7, 4.92 ERA)

• The 24-year-old has struck out 80 batters and fashioned a 1.47 WHIP in 97 innings. Kuhl beat the Padres with six innings of two-run ball last year in Pittsburgh.

Padres LHP Travis Wood (1-3, 6.91 ERA)

• The 30-year-old is making his Padres debut after arriving in Monday’s trade with the Royals. He has allowed 12 runs in 13 innings in three starts this year, striking out eight and walking two.

Up next

• Saturday: Pirates RHP Ivan Nova (10-7, 3.62) vs. Padres RHP Dinelson Lamet (4-4, 5.92), 5:40 p.m.

• Sunday: Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (8-7, 4.12) vs. Padres LHP Clayton Richard (5-1, 5.37), 1:40 p.m.

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Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr. shared more than HOF induction By Jeff Sanders

In a season in which we’re compelled to look ahead as the Padres rebuild – toward better days and perhaps one a day brighter future – Hall of Fame weekend presents an opportunity to escape into the organization’s past.

Ten years ago on Saturday, Tony Gwynn shared a stage in Cooperstown with Cal Ripken Jr. as the two were inducted into baseball immortality. More than a record 70,000 fans descended upon that quaint village on July 29, 2007, to celebrate two players that, as Tom Verducci says in an MLB Network video essay, reminds us that “baseball is the most democratic game, that size doesn’t matter, that a thick outfielder or a 6-foot-4 shortstop can be all-time greats.”

The connection between Gwynn and Ripken, “civic treasures” who played their entire careers for one team, go even deeper.

The two were born three months apart. They played their first game within one season of each other and their last within one day of each other. They’re both members of the 3,000-hit club and only 43 hits out of more than 6,000 between then separated them when they were enshrined in Cooperstown.

The embedded video below will air when MLB Network broadcasts the 2017 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies for Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines, Ivan Rodriguez and Today’s Game Era selections John Schuerholz and Bud Selig at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

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Talking with ... Padres shortstop Dusty Coleman Jeff Sanders

Even with just five at-bats in four games in 2015, Dusty Coleman pocketed a World Series ring after a brief stay in the majors. Two years later, the 30-year-old shortstop and former 28th-round pick collected another keepsake – the ball from his first major league hit, a double in Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to the Mets. (Coleman added his first major league homer Thursday night).

Union-Tribune: You picked up your first hit in a key point in Tuesday’s game. At what point did it sink in that you’d finally collected your first major league hit?

Coleman: Right after I got to second base I felt like it sank in. Seeing the boys in the dugout cheering me on was a surreal moment. And it helped that it was a big moment in the game. Even if it wasn’t my first hit, I would have been pumped to hit a double right there.

U-T: We saw you eyeing that ball. Were you tracking who got it to see who was going to mess with you?

Coleman: I saw that it got tossed in there. They told me there were going to take it and write some special stuff on it and it get it back to me. I trust everybody here.

U-T: What does that ball mean to you?

Coleman: It is important. You play a long time, you put in a lot of work. That’s a milestone I’ll be able to tell my kids about. It will hopefully be part of my story.

U-T: Are you much of a collector?

Coleman: I have a lot of other people’s memorabilia. Me and my dad growing up we collected a bunch of stuff. I do have a few things of mine, but I’m not as into displaying my things as I am other cool things that I’ve got.

U-T: Like what?

Coleman: I have a Ken Griffey Jr. bat that I got growing up as a Christmas gift. That was always displayed in my room. I have a Mark McGwire autograph that I got when I was a kid. I got a Cal Ripken Jr. Me and my dad collected a lot.

U-T: You have a World Series ring that you earned while picking up five at-bats for the 2015 Royals. Where does that rank?

Coleman: Oh that’s up there too. There’s not a lot of guys who get an opportunity to get that. Being a part of that team was one of the best things in my life. That’s definitely going to be displayed. There’s sentimental value to it. I was part of the team, but I wasn’t as big a part as those other guys, especially not going to the playoffs and all that. I still cherish it.

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U-T: What was your mindset after getting those five at-bats in 2015?

Coleman: You always go into it believing you belong in the big leagues, but sometime some of that stuff is out of your control. You wonder sometimes. For me, it was about putting in the work every day and trying to play as best you can to get another opportunity.

U-T: Tell us about your path after that year.

Coleman: The next year I signed back with Kansas City. I broke my thumb in early May and that kept me out until August. It was a bummer with that injury and not getting to play a full season to get back to the big leagues.

U-T: What’s it been like to persevere to get to this point at 30 years old?

Coleman: It’s a little different. Everybody is in different stages in their life. I’ve got a family that’s the biggest part of my life, even more than baseball. Luckily, my wife is awesome and agreed to do the craziness of the baseball life with me. So it is kind of weird being a little bit older getting my first hit next to these guys who are 21 years old. It’s still a cool achievement. I’m still working. I feel 21.

U-T: What has it taken for you to stick to chasing this dream?

Coleman: I’ve had two work in the offseasons doing different jobs. I’ve helped my brother-in-law put in sprinkler systems. I’ve worked a lot with kids in indoor facilities. We recently opened up one in Kansas City with a couple of buddies called Gold Glove Baseball Academy and I’m really excited about that. I enjoy doing that in the offseason, working with young kids. You just make it work if you want to keep the dream alive. You figure it out. You’ve got to provide.

U-T: With your wife’s blessing, of course.

Coleman: Exactly. If she was like, “Hey, I’m over this. I’m really done.” I’d be like, “OK, my family’s more important.” But she’s been so awesome on this journey. It’s tough sometimes, but she’s had a really good attitude about it.

U-T: Your wife, Sarah, wasn’t able to get into town in time to see your first hit. She was here on Thursday when you hit the first homer. What was it like sharing that with her after the game?

Coleman: Oh, it was great. I got to go into the family room and she was just so happy and jumping up and down when I walked in. She was sad that she missed that big moment the other day, but just being able to celebrate with her (Thursday) night was pretty awesome.

U-T: Sounds like playing time at shortstop is going to be the hot hand between you and Allen Cordoba. How does it feel to finally have that opportunity at your fingertips?

Coleman: It’s what you want. You just want the opportunity to go out and perform. Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity. For them to say that, it’s motivation to enjoy the moment, put in the work and do your best and hopefully come out on the top side.

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Spangenberg, Wood combine to sink Pirates By Nathan Ruiz and Adam Berry / MLB.com | 3:20 AM ET

SAN DIEGO -- Cory Spangenberg made a winner of Travis Wood in the left-hander's Padres debut,

tying the game with a sixth-inning triple before scoring the eventual winning run on a passed ball in San

Diego's 3-2 victory over the Pirates on Friday at Petco Park.

Jose Pirela's one-out single ended Pirates starter Chad Kuhl's night after he allowed nine baserunners in

5 1/3 innings. Spangenberg then ripped Daniel Hudson's first pitch, a 98 mph fastball, into right field,

reaching base for the third time in the contest as Pirela scored the tying run. After Hudson struck

out Jabari Blash, his full-count pitch to Allen Cordobabounced away, allowing Spangenberg, who's

slashing .346/.433/.615 in the second half, to score.

"Just trying to help the team out in any way possible, and got a pitch I can hit and tried not to do too much

with it," Spangenberg said. "I take a lot of pride in my work -- offense, defense, baserunning, everything -

- so that's what I expect myself and it's just been what's going on this year."

Said manager Andy Green: "He's worked incredibly hard this season. … Shows up every day trying to

learn something, trying to get better working on something, working on his defense at third base. I think

that starts to pay off, and it's fun to see for a good person like that."

Wood, acquired Monday in a trade with the Royals, retired the final 10 Pirates he faced after

allowing Andrew McCutchen's two-run home run in the third. He earned his first win as a starter since

April 28, 2015, also against Pittsburgh, by allowing only two hits across six innings with seven strikeouts.

"It was the opposite of what we talked about. We were trying to get them in swing mode. They got us in

swing mode," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "They executed their pitching plan pretty well, stayed

out of the middle [of the strike zone]. Kept us off the barrel, that's for sure."

Wood, in his return to the National League, also drove in San Diego's first run with a single in the fourth.

"I love hitting, so it was really nice for me," said Wood, who has nine career home runs. "Being able to

get a hit there was clutch."

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Before McCutchen singled off All-Star and trade candidate Brad Hand in the ninth, the Pirates had been

hitless since his third-inning homer. Hand managed to still earn his third save in as many nights as the

Pirates fell to 4 1/2 games behind the NL Central-leading Cubs, suffering their fifth loss in six games after

a streak in which they won 12 of 14.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Cutch crushes: Needing two RBIs to become the 13th Pirate with 700 career RBIs, McCutchen delivered

against Wood. After Wood hit Josh Harrison with two outs in the third, McCutchen sent a 2-0 cutter a

Statcast-projected 405 feet out to left to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. It was his 19th home run of the season.

McCutchen singled in the ninth to match another Pirates feat. The hit off Hand was the 1,409th of

McCutchen's career, tying him with Jason Kendall for 16th on the club's all-time list.

Rookie mistake: When Wood dribbled a bases-loaded single through the left side with two outs in the

fourth, Petco Park erupted, but the fans' cheers soon turned to groans. Spangenberg scored on the play, but

Blash held at third. Cordoba aggressively rounded second and headed toward third on Wood's single,

leaving him between bases as the Pirates tagged him out to end the inning and retain their one-run

lead. Manuel Margot, who entered Friday with a six-game hitting streak, was left on deck.

"It's an aggressive mistake, you've got to run with your head up," Green said. "You've to see what's

happening in front of you. He's very much aware of that at this point in time. … You hope he learns from

it and moves on. It's out of effort and desire that a young kid's making a mistake on the field."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Padres improved to 13-10 in July, clinching their first winning month in two years. They went 13-11

in July 2015.

QUOTABLE

"I think we've been playing really good baseball. After the first couple months, we were very competitive.

The young guys are really stepping up. I think they're learning, and I think we're making huge strides.

With this Trade Deadline, people are going, but I think we have a great core here and I think we're only

going to improve." -- Spangenberg, on July being the Padres' first winning month since 2015

"It's a big league lineup. They don't really show it in the standings, but they still have a good lineup.

You've got to manage your way through it. They beat us today."-- Hudson, on the Padres' offensive surge

in the second half

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HAND LIKELY OFF SATURDAY

Hand likely won't pitch for the Padres in the series' second game Saturday, regardless of whether he's

traded from the team.

Green has deployed Hand, who threw his 19th straight scoreless appearance Friday, in three straight

games, in each of which Hand converted a save opportunity. During his scoreless streak, Hand has struck

out 24 in 19 1/3 innings while lowering his ERA to 2.00.

Green said Hand will "probably not" pitch Saturday, but it's likely Hand will try to lobby his way into the

game.

"He walked right off the mound and was shaking his hand afterwards and he said, 'I'm up tomorrow,

right?'" Green said. "Gives you an idea of how he feels about it. Really wants to pitch every single day.

Probably in our best interest and his best interest to let him breathe for the day at this point."

WHAT'S NEXT

Pirates: Ivan Nova will start for the Pirates as they continue their three-game series against the Padres at

8:40 p.m. ET on Saturday. Nova allowed a season-high seven runs in five innings Sunday at Coors Field,

just the second time in 20 starts this season he did not complete six innings. He'll look to turn it around at

Petco Park, where he has allowed just one run over 12 1/3 innings in two career starts.

Padres: Dinelson Lamet takes the mound at 5:40 p.m. PT for the second game of San Diego's series

against the Pirates. After consecutive rough outings, the rookie right-hander fired 6 2/3 innings in San

Francisco, holding the Giants to two runs.

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Wood you believe this Padres debut?

Lefty gets victory, knocks in run against Pirates

By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com | 2:57 AM ET

SAN DIEGO -- Travis Wood can finally breathe.

Making his Padres debut Friday night, the left-handed Wood pitched six innings against the Pirates,

holding them to two hits and runs each in a 3-2 victory. Before Monday's trade that sent him to San

Diego, Wood had a 6.91 ERA with Kansas City, with only three of his 28 outings being starts.

"I'm just taking this opportunity as a fresh start, to come here and don't think about anything that's

happened this season," Wood said. "Just come in and put in work and do anything I can to help this young

ballclub out that seems to have a lot of passion and loves to play and loves to win."

Wood experienced success he hadn't had as a starting pitcher since April 28, 2015, an outing also against

the Pirates that represented his last win as a starter before Friday. His six innings and seven strikeouts

were his most since he struck out nine across seven innings in that early 2015 outing while with the Cubs.

In coming to San Diego, Wood was afforded the comfort of playing alongside other former Cubs

in Clayton Richard and Matt Szczur. Having arrived Tuesday, he had most of the week to acclimate

himself to his new clubhouse.

"I think he's one of those guys that was in the midst of a year that just wasn't going right," Padres manager

Andy Green said. "Hoping to make the rotation over there, doesn't make it. Pitches out of the 'pen, starts

off really rocky in April, has a really rough month, and the rest of that is just trying to get out from

underneath all the water that's on top of your head. He finally gets a fresh start over here and you see who

he is."

Wood succeeded Friday by mixing his pitches, successfully backdooring his cutter against a fully right-

handed lineup.

His only mistakes came in the third. After Wood hit Josh Harrison with two outs, Andrew

McCutchen sent a two-run home run to left, his third against Wood in his career.

Wood retired the next 10 Pirates he faced to finish off the outing.

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"This guy has been a good Major League pitcher throughout his career," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle

said. "The numbers this year, they are what they are. We've seen him good. We knew what to anticipate

and expect. We weren't able to punch back."

Back in the National League, Wood contributed offensively, as well. After popping up in his first at-bat,

he came up again with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth. Wood grounded an RBI single into left,

driving in his first run in a regular season game since May 18, 2016.

"I love hitting, so it was really nice for me," Wood said. "Being able to get a hit there was clutch."

This fresh start could easily prove to be clutch, as well.

"Any time you have failures, it always makes you grow because you have to see what you did wrong and

you have to correct it," Wood said. "So any time you have a bad season, if you can step back and look at

it, you'll learn and grow and be a better player."

Friday night, Wood was just that.

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Espinoza set to have Tommy John surgery

Padres pitching prospect hasn't pitched this season

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | July 28th, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Padres No. 6 prospect Anderson Espinoza will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending

his season before it even began.

The 19-year-old right-hander missed the first three months of the season because of a forearm strain and

resumed throwing about a month ago. On Thursday -- the fourth bullpen session into his rehab --

Espinoza felt further tightness in his elbow. He has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar colateral ligament

and is expected to undergo surgery next week in Dallas.

"Not being able to pitch, that's been frustrating for him," said Padres general manager A.J. Preller. "For us

last year, we were able to see flashes of what he can do in the last month there in [Class A] Fort Wayne.

The biggest thing for us is we just want to get him right, get him healthy."

Last July, Espinoza came to the Padres from Boston in a straight-up swap for left-hander Drew

Pomeranz. At the time, Espinoza was ranked as San Diego's top prospect. He was recently listed at the

team's No. 6 prospect by MLBPipeline.com.

That deal ultimately earned Preller a 30-day suspension for undisclosed medical records, regarding

Pomeranz. A year later, it's Espinoza who's suffered the bulk of the health troubles. Still, the Padres are

adamant that Espinoza fits as a major part of their future.

"If you're looking for silver linings, there's obviously a lot of pitchers in the big leagues that have repaired

elbows and have gone through the Tommy John process," Preller said. "Knowing him, his work ethic, I

would anticipate him doing well and really progress in his career. It's just going to be a slight detour."

In parts of two Minor League seasons, Espinoza has posted a 3.35 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. As one of the

youngest players in the Midwest League last season, he posted a 4.73 ERA in eight appearances for Fort

Wayne.

The Padres are hopeful that Espinoza takes a return path similar to that of fellow righty prospect Chris

Paddack. A year ago, the Padres traded for Paddack as part of the deal that sent Fernando Rodney to

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Miami. He was diagnosed with a UCL tear shortly thereafter and underwent Tommy John surgery.

Paddack has recently begun throwing bullpen sessions again, and the Padres are hopeful he'll be ready for

instructional ball in September.

"Each guy's a little different," Preller said. "You're looking at at least a year. ... Obviously with his age,

there's no need to rush back. But hopefully a year from now, we're talking about a possible return."

The surgery will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, though no date has been set.

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Strahm surprised, happy to be in San Diego By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com | July 28th, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Initially surprised, left-hander Matt Strahm was excited to join the Padres' ranks of

talented young pitchers.

On Friday, Strahm was in the Padres' clubhouse for the first time since being acquired from the Royals on

Monday along with Friday starter Travis Wood and Minor League infielderEsteury Ruiz for

pitchers Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter.

Three weeks to the day after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left

knee, Strahm made his way around the room on crutches with his left leg in a brace, but he was upbeat as

he met his new teammates.

"I was shocked being on the shelf and everything," Strahm said of the trade. "... Obviously, this was the

one way I could help them win, in their eyes, right now, so totally understood it. Moving on with it."

Strahm, 25, was doing physical therapy Monday afternoon when Royals general manager Dayton Moore

called to inform him of the trade. Strahm suffered the injury while attempting to leap to catch a hit up the

middle against the Twins on July 1. Strahm felt something go down his left leg internally, but he stayed in

and faced three more batters. He ended the season with a 5.45 ERA in 24 games.

Before the injury, Strahm was splitting time between the rotation and bullpen, something he had done

throughout his rise in the Royals' system. The Padres see Strahm as both a potential starter or key backend

reliever. Strahm said he has no preference, but Padres manager Andy Green, who met Strahm for the first

time Friday, does.

"I think people are going to look up in the middle of next season, when he's back in full form and go,

'Wow, that was a great pickup,'" Green said. "He's going to have every opportunity to establish himself

here in whatever capacity he thrives in. I'm hopeful it's the starting rotation because I think there's a lot in

him, and if he goes up and grabs that, he's going to be great in that role, and if he has to pitch in the back

end of the bullpen, he showed he could do that last year and do it very well."

Strahm will have a four-week visit with Dr. Timothy Kremchek next week and is expected to remain in

the brace for another five weeks. Still early in his recovery process, Strahm said his timetable to return is

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somewhere in the range of 4-6 months. But he's hopeful it's sooner, ready to contribute to a young Padres

team in 2018.

"Their farm system is loaded," Strahm said. "Should be an exciting future here, and I'm excited to be a

part of it."

Worth noting

● Infielder Yangervis Solarte (strained left oblique) was scheduled to play 7-9 innings at shortstop

Friday in the second game of his rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso. Solarte hasn't played shortstop

in the Majors since 2014. He went 0-for-2 with walk and run scored Thursday.

● Austin Hedges, on the seven-day concussion disabled list, will catch 5-7 innings in the Arizona Rookie

League on Friday.

● Outfielder Travis Jankowski (right foot fracture) is continuing to progress in his rehab and beginning

to better use his skill set while on his rehab assignment. On Thursday, he stole his first base since his

rehab was moved to Triple-A.

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Lamet seeks consistency against Pirates By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 12:29 AM ET

Even when he's not at his best -- when he's working with his "B" stuff, as Pirates manager Clint Hurdle

puts it -- right-hander Ivan Nova has consistently provided innings. He will look to add more quality to

his high-quantity workload Saturday night against the Padres at Petco Park.

Sunday at Coors Field, Nova gave up a season-high seven runs on nine hits in five innings. It was only the

second time in 20 starts this season Nova did not complete six innings, and it increased his July ERA to

6.08. But Nova remains a dependable, veteran presence in Pittsburgh's young rotation; he's already thrown

more innings this season (131 2/3) than any Pirates pitcher did last season.

Nova will line up opposite Padres right-hander Dinelson Lamet, who is coming off the second-longest

start of his career. Lamet held the Giants to two runs and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings on Sunday. That

outing came after consecutive four-inning starts. Padres manager Andy Green credited Lamet's trust of his

slider for much of the turnaround.

"He's had days where, honestly, he wasn't commanding anything. There was no chance he was going to

pitch deep into the ballgame," Green said. "What he did very well last game was he [went] to his slider

early instead of leaving it in his back pocket. … You're not invincible with that pitch, but you mix in the

slider, mix in the fastball. [He] throws them both very well, and when he's doing that, he's got a chance to

pitch deep into the ballgame."

Things to know about this game

• Nova was briefly a Padre. Selected by San Diego in the 2008 Rule 5 Draft, he spent the following

Spring Training competing to make their Opening Day roster. Nova was returned to the Yankees before

the season began, however, and remained with New York until Pittsburgh acquired him last Aug. 1.

• Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe entered the series as the only Major League rookie with at least 20

homers and at least 20 doubles. According to Statcast, Renfroe has the Padres' second-highest total of

hard-hit balls (with an exit velocity greater than 95 mph) behind only Wil Myers.

• Adam Frazier likely will start in right field for the Pirates against the right-handed Lamet. Frazier

entered the series batting .414 with a 1.006 OPS in the second half.

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Friars' depth key in handling prospect

setbacks

No. 6-ranked Espinoza needs TJ surgery, but Padres have

plenty of starting talent in ranks

By Bill Center / San Diego Padres | 1:34 AM ET

The news wasn't good.

Right-handed pitcher Anderson Espinoza, the Padres sixth-best prospect according to MLBPipeline,

will have Tommy John surgery next week.

But this isn't the end of the world for the gifted Espinoza or the Padres' pitching prospects.

Truth is, one of the two pitching prospects rated higher than Espinoza is a Tommy John graduate named

Cal Quantrill, who recently advanced to Double-A.

And nine of the Padres' top 15 prospects are healthy starting pitchers.

"You are going to have setbacks when it comes to pitching prospects," Padres general manager A.J.

Preller said Friday after announcing Espinoza's pending surgery, which will be performed in Texas by Dr.

Keith Meister.

"The idea is create a lot of depth. We think we're creating depth. Luis Perdomo and Dinelson Lamet are

already members of our rotation. We've seen a lot of upward mobility this season from highly regarded

arms throughout the system."

Three of the Padres' top pitching prospects -- Quantrill, Eric Lauer (No. 8) and Joey Lucchesi (No. 9) --

earned midseason promotions from Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore to Double-A San Antonio, where

they joined Enyel De Los Santos (No. 13).

The Padres' fifth-rated prospect and fourth-ranked pitcher Adrian Morejon was promoted from Class A

Short Season Tri-City earlier this week to Class A Fort Wayne, where he joins fellow Cuban prospects

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Michel Baez (No. 7 on the Padres' prospect list) and Ronald Bolanos, and teenage top-30 prospects

Mason Thompson (No. 19) and Reggie Lawson (No. 27).

The Padres currently have two top-30 prospects starting at Lake Elsinore -- No. 14 Logan Allen and No.

15 Jacob Nix -- and two more in the Arizona Rookie League.

Leading that list is left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who went from being the third overall pick in the June

Draft to the Padres' No. 1 prospect, and the 29th-rated prospect in the Minor Leagues.

In fact, the Padres have six of MLB.com's top 100 prospects, including four pitchers: Gore, Quantrill (No.

43), Morejon (No. 80) and Espinosa (No. 83).

Acquired from Boston last season in the trade that sent left-handed starter Drew Pomeranzto the Red

Sox, Espinoza was among the 100-plus quality prospects the Padres have acquired through the Draft,

trades and international signings over the past 20 months.

Stockpiling quality prospects is the cornerstone of developing a successful organization.

"You need a quantity of quality," Preller said. "There are going to be losses to injuries. Some players

won't develop as expected. But the more quality prospects you add over time, the more are going to reach

the Major Leagues with you."

Among the young prospects who have reached the Major Leagues with the Padres over the past two-plus

seasons are Perdomo, Lamet, Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot, Austin Hedges, Phil Maton, Allen

Cordoba, Franchy Cordero, Luis Torrens, Carlos Asuaje and Jabari Blash.

"It's fun to see every night a quality starter at every level," Preller said. "And we think Espinoza will come

back fine from this."

Again, the Padres have some recent examples of pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery.

Quantrill is progressing nicely.

And right-hander Chris Paddack, the team's 27th-ranked prospect, will likely pitch in the Arizona

Instructional League this fall after having Tommy John surgery last season.

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"We've been very excited about Paddack's rehab," Preller said. "He's throwing bullpens right now in

Arizona and looks good."

Espinoza, a 19-year-old from Venezuela, hasn't pitched in a game this year while rehabbing from

continued elbow soreness. Each time he neared a return, the soreness returned.

His most recent round of throwing helped determine Espinoza suffered a tear to the ulnar collateral

ligament in his right elbow.

He will miss the rest of this season and all of next, but will only be 21 when he completes rehab and the

returns have been promising on players his age returning from Tommy John surgery.

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Wood, 3 relievers combine on 2-hitter in

Padres' win

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Travis Wood settled in quickly with the San Diego Padres. Acquired Monday in a six-player trade with Kansas City, Wood picked up on the energy of a young team that plays hard -- even if it is mired in fourth place in the NL West -- and got reacquainted with former teammates with the Chicago Cubs, Clayton Richard and Matt Szczur.

Then he went out and combined with three relievers on a three-hitter Friday night to help the Padres beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2. Cory Spangenbergtripled in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run on a ball four wild pitch in the sixth. Wood (1-0) allowed two runs and two hits in six innings, struck out seven and walked one. He retired his last 10 batters after allowing Andrew McCutchen's two-run homer in the third.

"I was taking this opportunity like a fresh start," Wood said. "Come here and don't think about anything that has happened this season. Just come in and put in the work and help the ballclub out. This team has a lot of passion and wants to play well so I'm glad I can help the team."

Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates each threw a hitless inning before Brad Hand, the Padres' only All-Star, pitched the ninth for his sixth save, allowing only McCutchen's single. Hand extended his scoreless streak to 19 1/3 innings.

Wood had an RBI single in the fourth.

"Overall, you couldn't ask for anything more," manager Andy Green. "It doesn't surprise me at all. He was just in the midst of year that just wasn't going well. He gets a fresh start over here and you see who he is."

San Diego won its third straight while the Pirates lost their third in a row and for the fifth time in six games.

Spangenberg tripled into the right-field corner with one out in the sixth to score Jose Pirela, who was aboard on a single that chased starter Chad Kuhl. With two outs, Allen Cordoba walked but ball four was a wild pitch by Daniel Hudson(2-5), bringing in Spangenberg.

"I missed my spot, but it was still kind of a decent pitch," Hudson said. "Sounded like he broke his bat, but still did a good job staying inside, pulling his hands in and keeping it fair. Impressive."

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Wood hit a bases-loaded single to left in the fourth to bring in Spangenberg. The inning ended when Cordoba rounded second too far and was tagged out.

McCutchen hit a two-run homer with two outs in the third inning to reach 700 career RBI. With Harrison aboard on a walk, McCutchen drove a pitch into the second deck in left field. It was his 19th.

McCutchen is the 13th player in team history to reach 700 RBI.

The Pirates struck out 12 times.

"They got us in swing mode," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was kind of the opposite of what we talked about. We were trying to get them in swing mode. They got us in swing mode. They executed their pitching plan pretty well, stayed out of the middle. Kept us off the barrel that's for sure."

Kuhl allowed two runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings, struck out four and walked five.

TALK TO THE HAND

Hand has been the subject of trade talks, so this might be his last weekend with the Padres. He appeared in his third straight game, and has converted each of last four save opportunities.

If Hand is still with the Padres on Saturday, he'll probably get the day off. "He walked right of the mound and I was shaking his hand afterward and he said, `I'm up tomorrow, right?' `' Green said. "That gives you an idea of how he feels about it. He'd like to pitch every single day. But it's probably in our best interest and his best interest to give him a day at this point."

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Ivan Nova (10-7, 3.62 ERA) has won two of his last three decisions and five of his last eight. Padres: Rookie RHP Dinelson Lamet (4-4, 5.92 ERA) is 2b-1 with a 4.30 ERA in four starts at Petco Park.

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This Day in Padres History, 7/29

Gwynn’s HOF induction top banner day in

Padres’ history

By Bill Center

July 29, 1972 — Outfielder Jerry Morales singles home first baseman Nate Colbert in the top of the 17th to lead the Padres to a 4–3 win over the division-leading Reds in Cincinnati.

July 29, 1983 — First baseman Steve Garvey dislocates his left thumb in a homeplate collision during the first game of a doubleheader against Atlanta at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. The injury ends Garvey’s streak of 1,027 straight games played, then the third-longest streak in Major League history.

July 29, 1984 — Tim Lollar pitches a complete-game, two hit shutout with five walks and seven strikeouts and shortstop Garry Templeton hit a grand slam homer in the Padres’ 9–0 win over Houston at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

July 29, 1988 — Tony Gwynn hits the first of his franchise-record four inside-the-park home runs in the Padres 5–3 win over the New York Mets at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

July 29, 2005 — Jerry Coleman is inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in Quantico, Va.

July 29, 2007 — Simultaneous to Tony Gwynn delivering his induction speech at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., the Padres are scoring 11 runs in the first inning of an 18–11 win over the Astros in Houston.

July 29, 2009 — Starter Mat Latos and relievers Greg Burke and Mike Ekstrom combine on the first, three-pitcher one-hitter in Padres history in a 7–1 win over the Reds at Cincinnati.

July 29, 2013 — Outfielder Chris Denorfia hits a two-run, walk-off homer off Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman to give the Padres a 2–1 win over the Reds at Petco Park.

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Padres On Deck: Austin Allen Has

Three More Hits for A-Lake Elsinore

Tri-City surging in Northwest League

By Bill Center

Catcher Austin Allen, who was the Advanced Single-A California League Player of the Week for each of the past two weeks, was 3-for-4 with a double for Lake Elsinore Thursday night to push his batting average up to .294 for the season.

Elsewhere in the Padres system:

— Right-handed starter Cal Quantrill, the Padres’ second-ranked prospect, allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings in his third start for Double-A San Antonio.

— Left-handed starter Logan Allen allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts for Lake Elsinore.

Around the Farm:

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (52–53) — Iowa 6, CHIHUAHUAS 5: LF Nick Buss (.370) had a triple and a solo homer in three at-bats with a stolen base and two runs scored. 1B Christian Villanueva (.305) was 2-for-5 with two RBIs. C Rocky Gale (.294) was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a walk. Rehabbing CF Travis Jankowski (.238) was 1-for-2 with three walks and a stolen base for two runs scored. Rehabbing 2B Yangervis Solarte was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Starting RHP Bryan Rodriguez (5.36 ERA) allowed three runs on seven hits and five walks with a strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. RHP Jose Valdez (6.07) struck out both hitters he faced. LHP Keith Hessler (2–2, 4.26) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk with a strikeout in an inning to take the loss. RHP Cory Mazzoni (0.00) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (20–14, 61–43) — Frisco 5, MISSIONS 1: RHP T.J. Weir (1.91 ERA) followed Quantrill (0–2, 4.08) and allowed three hits with three strikeouts in 3 1/3 scoreless innings. 2B River Stevens (.189) was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. DH Nick Torres (.270) was 1-for-4 with a RBI. 3B Ty France (.282) was 1-for-3. 1B Josh Naylor (.273) was 0-for-2 with two walks.

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ADVANCED SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (13–21, 48–56) — VISALIA 3, Storm 0: RHP David Bednar (2.57 ERA) followed Logan Allen (1–3, 3.72) and allowed two hits with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings. SS Ruddy Giron (.227) backed Austin Allen and was 1-for-4 with a double. CF Michael Gettys (.261) and 3B Kyle Overstreet (.313) were each 1-for-4.

SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (21–12, 47–56) — WEST MICHIGAN 4, TinCaps 2: 3B Hudson Potts (.225) was 2-for-4 with a solo homer. 2B Reinaldo Ilarraza (.217) was 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. SS Fernando Tatis Jr.(.271) had a RBI double in four at-bats. RHP Reggie Lawson (3–4, 5.29 ERA) allowed four runs on four hits and four walks with six strikeouts in four innings to suffer the loss. RHP Mark Zimmerman (5.26) allowed a hit and a walk with three strikeouts in three scoreless innings. RHP Evan Miller (9.75) struck out one in a perfect inning.

SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI CITY (4–1, 23–19) — DUST DEVILS 12, Vancouver 3: CF Tre Carter (.221) was 2-for-5 with a homer, two RBIs and a run scored. DH Luis Anguizola (.256) was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. C Chandler Seagle (.190) was 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs scored. 1B Bryant Aragon (.233) was 2-for-5 with a run scored. INF Kelvin Melean (.242) was 2-for-5. RF Luis Asuncion (.288) was 2-for-4 with a run scored. 2B Justin Lopez (.262) was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI. Starting RHP Will Stillman (2.45 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings. RHP Elias Torres (2–0, 4.50) allowed a run on two hits with a strikeout in two innings. RHP Jordan Guerrero (1.77) struck out four in two perfect innings. RHP Alex Cunningham (5.79) pitched a perfect ninth.

ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE — PADRES-1 (14–12) 16, Padres-2 (14–12) 5: SS Yordi Barley (.278) was 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, two RBIs and four runs scored for the winners. 1B Jason Pineda (.321) was 3-for-4 with a walk, a RBI and three RBIs. RF Dayon Olmo (.259) was 2-for-5 with a double and a RBI. DH Jaquez Williams (.259) hit a three-run homer in five at-bats with two runs scored. Newly-acquired 2B Esteury Ruiz (.388) was 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. 3B Jonny Homza (.293) was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. C Jose Lezama (.361) was 0-for-1 with four walks, a RBI and a run scored. Starting RHP Angel Acevedo (12.38 ERA) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks in two innings. RHP Carlos Rivera (11.17) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks with a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. LHP Jose Cabrera (1–0, 11.66) allowed a run on a hit and two walks with a strikeout in 2 2/3 innings. RHP Spencer Kulman (1.74) had a strikeout in two perfect innings. RHP Blake Rogers (0.00) issued two walks with a strikeout in a hitless, scoreless inning.

CF Tirso Ornelas (.278) was 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and a RBI for the losers. RF Luis Castro (.186) was 1-for-2 with two walks, a RBI and a run scored. 2B Olivier Basabe (.237) was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. C Janigson Villalobos (.275) was 0-for-1 with two walks and two runs scored. Starting LHP Aaron Leasher (0–2, 8.56 ERA) allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts in four innings. RHP Jake Smith (3.86) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts in an inning. RHP Jaimito Lebron (15.55) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks with a strikeout in an inning. LHP Alan Garcia (12.79) allowed five runs on five hits and a walk in two-

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thirds of an inning. RHP Vijay Miller (5.68) allowed a hit with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (17–29) — MARINERS 7, Padres 4: 3B Elvis Sabala (.200) was 3-for-4 with two doubles and a RBI. 1B Blinger Perez (.242) hit a solo homer in five at-bats. OF Jaffe Garcia (.218) was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Starting LHP Gabriel Morales (3.98 ERA) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in four innings.

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Grooming at ballpark becoming trend for baseball players SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kevin Quackenbush’s full beard needed a little attention considering he had

gone since spring training in February without a trim.

Mark McGwire decided on the fly to get his hair cut upon arriving to work last week at AT&T Park,

something unheard of during his old slugging days.

The San Diego Padres relief pitcher and his bench coach, Big Mac, only had to walk out of the visitor’s

clubhouse and down a set of stairs toward the dugout to duck into a room typically used for equipment

storage and get spiffed up by Lara Albertsen long before first pitch.

“It’s becoming a fad now that most places have it because hairstyles are a really in thing,” McGwire said

of ballpark grooming.

“All these players love to be styled when they take their helmet or hat off. That’s the first time I’ve

gotten one at the ballpark. I usually go to Sport Clips, it takes like five or 10 minutes and you get in and

out. I needed a haircut and happened to be right here in San Francisco.”

Albertsen is a hairstylist based in the East Bay suburb of Danville. She shows up for the first game of

each series to cut for interested players and coaches. Fittingly, given her recent clientele, her room has

been named “Big Mac Salon,” complete with a photo of McGwire circa 1987-88 now hanging on the wall

under a sign. He came in before the July 20 opener against the Giants.

Visiting clubhouse manager Abe Silvestri already knew Albertsen, and he realized she was perfect for the

job because she’s not a die-hard sports fan.

“McGwire said he wanted more attention paid to the cages. He said, ’We got a darn powder room,’”

Silvestri recalled. “It’s been cool. The reason I wanted her in here is she doesn’t know any of these guys.”

Last Monday, Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli stopped to grab his gear in the storage room when he

came across Albertsen by chance and sat down in her chair for a quick trim.

“I was looking for my bats and I saw her over here,” Cervelli said. “I just want to clean up a little bit. We

don’t have a lot we can show because I’ve got a helmet and a mask. It’s perfect. You don’t have to worry

and wake up and make an appointment.”

35

Others who have stopped by this season: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts — twice — for a haircut; Los

Angeles third baseman Justin Turner for some beard love; shaggy-haired Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom;

and Marlins manager Don Mattingly, long past his days of sporting a mullet.

“Some of these guys get trimmed like once a week,” McGwire said. “Hairstyles are huge.”

In fact, Roberts said in a text message his “do is overdue for a touch up.

“With the daily grind and few off days it’s hard to carve out time for a haircut, literally the last thing on

my mind,” Roberts said. “It’s such a luxury and convenience having it available at the ballpark.”

Former lefty Vida Blue is open-minded about the idea even if he swears he never would have been

caught doing it. He is happy to hear players care about appearance and looking professional.

“Why not?” Blue said of getting a ballpark buzz. “If it’s there for you, take advantage of it. Some of these

guys need to get a little trim. I like the beards but I like them neat. I don’t like the old crusty looking stuff

with the breadcrumbs from two weeks ago.”

There are signs in the clubhouse offering players on-site hair service, which Albertsen began this season.

Payment is by tips.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Quackenbush said. “I saw the sign. She did a nice job. It’s awesome. It’s great

for guys to get a haircut and get back out on the field.”

The same day on the other side, in the Giants’ family room, San Francisco hitting coach Hensley Meulens

got his hair cut by a Venezuelan named Oscar Mamber they have nicknamed “The Crazy Barber” —

courtesy of Tigers reliever and countryman Francisco Rodriguez — because he travels around the league

and even turned up at this month’s All-Star Game in Miami to get everybody looking their best for

baseball’s summer classic.

“I needed one,” Meulens said. “It had been two months. It’s convenient and it’s comfort. I don’t have

time to run around for a barber shop.”

Appreciative Seattle ace Felix Hernandez once gifted $3,000 to San Diego-based Mamber, who has been

cutting ballplayers’ hair going on two decades.

“Everybody’s asking about Oscar the Crazy Barber,” San Diego outfielder Manuel Margot said.

Padres second baseman Jose Pirela, who had Albertsen give his ’do a quick check last week, hollered in

to Mamber while walking by before a game — “The Crazy!”

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Other venues also bring in barbers. Miami has a guy they just call “Juice,” according to Meulens.

Meanwhile, across San Francisco Bay in Oakland, outfielder Rajai Davis finds time for important

pampering. He is receiving regular pedicures on his “money makers,” as he refers to his base-stealing-

fast feet.

“I’ve got to take care of them and make sure they’re feeling good,” said Davis, whose feet used to

become tender because there was too much moisture between his toes. “If they’re not feeling good, I’ve

got to find out how to make them feel good.”

Ex-A’s pitcher Blue keeps his head clean shaven, an every-other-day chore.

“I can’t imagine that,” Blue, who turned 68 on Friday, said of having his hair done at work. “We probably

would have thought of it as a distraction. For some people it’s OK, but for me on game day I wouldn’t

talk to my teammates, I’m like, ‘Hey, stay away from me, I don’t want to talk, I’m getting ready for the

game.’ That’s a goofy left-handed pitcher, though.”

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is in the same camp. He won’t get his spiky silver hair clipped at work — at

least not yet.

“I’m old school and you just don’t get a haircut at the ballpark,” he said, laughing. “But things have

changed. That’s why I’m not saying, ‘You can’t do that,’ or we can’t have a guy. It’s interesting.”