Ah ! Facing elimination in their home country, team Mexico defeated the South African team by the score of 14-3. Leading the assault was Padres’ 1B Adrian Gonzalez, who hit TWO home runs and driven in SIX. Adrian along with Jorge Cantu and Oscar Robles, each had THREE hits a piece. Overall, Mexico had 16 hits and did a complete face about from the previous night when they had been slaughtered by Australia. Mexico next game is on Wednesday and awaits to face the loser between Australia and Cuba.

Mexico's Adrian Gonzalez

Back to the states where the Padres had the day off. Though just recently Baseball America had rated the Padres Farm system 29th of out 30 which I find highly amusing. Just to show you, the folks at Baseball America are more in line with many brokers today. Most of their analysis is all based on speculation and with the injuries (Carrillo and Schmidt) that may had an impact on the scoring for the folks at Baseball America. Needless to say, Alderson and his gang has tremendously upgraded the farm system that should be given some consideration in the overall scoring.  Another article was published in the Union Tribune, stating Padres Pitcher Cha Seung Baek is not a 3rd pitcher on a 5th man starting rotation based on scouts throughout the league. So far to date, including to last season, Baek has been inconsistent and at times shown he belongs on the starting staff. Other times, Baek is just horrible. All I can say is, if the Mariners were the 2nd worst team in the majors last year and Baek couldn’t pitch for them. Doesn’t that say something ? Well, the Padres were the 3rd worst team last year, so I guess Baek for the Padres is like picking up a gold junior mining company for an novice investor. Mind you, the gold junior mining company has lost 70% of its value though has “POTENTIAL” for a rebound. Ahhh, that word again Speculation !

Anyhow, here’s a song from Santana…..Oye Como Va !