Tribes defeat Padres 5-3….

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The bright sunlight and high blue skies in Goodyear Arizona, the adjacent city to Avondale where I had purchased property back in 2002 has definitely grown since then. Well, the City of Goodyear/Litchfield Park most specifically. The brand new Spring Training complex of the Cleveland Indians and soon Cincinnati Reds lies just outside the Goodyear Airport. This is where the Indians defeated the Padres by the score of 5 -3. Throughout the game, there were some flashes of good signs to come in the near future.

  • 1B Kyle Blanks ripping a single to center, displaying an excellent batting eye with patience.
  • OF Luis Durango slapping a hit to center and stretching it for a double. Durango’s speed was on display and re-confirms Grady Fuson’s comment that Luis is the Padres version of Juan Pierre. Later on, Durango took off on a wild pitch and beat the throw to 3b.
  • P Cesar Ramos retired the side in the 3rd Inning with two flyouts. The first Padres pitcher to do so for the day.
  • P Ivan Nova strucked out two and looked very impressive. The Rule 5 draft from the Yankees has a chance to stick onto the club.

It’s only the 2nd game of Spring Training, though I really do like the young pitchers that Padres have. I still stick to my wild-card in Matt Buschmann to press on for that 4th or 5th spot. In the same token, I do have my doubts on Cha Seung Baek. Baek gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the 1st to put the Tribe ahead for good. My projected rotation before camp breaks would be: Peavy, Young, Silva, Correia, Geer/Buschmann. Just imagine if Mark Pryor re-emerges in May or June, now the staff looks even deeper on paper. Yes on paper ! One thing about this year’s camp, there will be an enormous amount of competition for several slots on the ballclub. That type of environment usually brings out the best in the prospects and one or two may spring board onto the club. Remember, back in 2002 when some Double AA pitcher from Mobile made his appearance against the Yankees — Jake Peavy — The question who will be that player this year ? Buschmann ? Inman ? Schmidt ?