Padres Press Clips Friday, September 22, 2017

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Richard, Villanueva help Padres shut out Rockies UT San Diego Lin 2

Pirela's season ended by finger injury UT San Diego Lin 4

Shortstops to watch in the Padres' farm system UT San Diego Sanders 6

Padres to extend netting at Petco Park UT San Diego Lin 9

September a good month for Hunter Renfroe UT San Diego Sanders 11

Faulk, Padres set for Celebrate San Diego Tailgate UT San Diego Sanders 13

Richard keeps Rox off balance in strong start MLB.com Cassavell/Harding 15

Villanueva's big league dreams coming true MLB.com Ruiz 17

Lyles aims to rebound, free on Facebook MLB.com Ruiz 19

Petco to expand netting for next season MLB.com Cassavell 21

Pirela's season ends due to finger injury MLB.com Ruiz 24

Four MLB teams announce plans for more safety netting Washington Post Bieler 26 after young girl’s injury

It's time now for major league teams to expand netting to LA Times Elliott 28 protect fans as much as possible

Richard, Padres hand Rockies 4th straight loss, 3-0 Associated Press AP 31

This Day in Padres History, 9/22 Friar Wire Center 34

Richard, Villanueva help Padres shut out Rockies

Dennis Lin

A clubhouse leader and a newcomer who’d traveled a long road himself carried the Padres to a 3-0 victory over Colorado on Thursday.

One day after signing a two-year contract extension, Clayton Richard showed his durability. For the seventh time this season, a Padres starting pitcher recorded at least one out in the eighth inning. Six of those starts belong to Richard.

The 34-year-old left-hander worked 7 1/3 innings, shutting out the Rockies in that span. He struck out eight batters, scattering seven hits and a walk. He walked off the field to a standing ovation.

“He leads us,” catcher Austin Hedges said. “Whatever he does on the mound is a bonus. Having him in the clubhouse, on the plane, on the bus, everywhere, he’s awesome. He’s the best.”

Though an error precipitated his exit, Richard also received on-field support. It came in the form of three double plays and, on offense, another impactful game by Christian Villanueva.

The third baseman, making his third major league start, homered for the second time in as many nights. He belted a fifth-inning shot, giving Richard a 1-0 lead. He singled in the sixth, making it 3-0.

“It’s amazing,” Villanueva said through an interpreter. “I had my family here seeing me. Also, helping the team win, it’s really unforgettable.”

Until this week, Villanueva had spent all eight of his professional seasons in the minor leagues. Injuries and depth charts had prevented the 26-year-old, once a well-regarded prospect, from reaching the highest level.

Monday, with less than two weeks left in a rebuilding season, the Padres gave him a chance. So far, Villanueva has proven a worthy call-up.

“He’s been fun to watch,” manager Andy Green said. “The swing, just looking at it, it looks right. It plays. It’s got some buggy whip to it. There’s clearly power there. … There’s a long line of people that believe very strongly in him and our scouts do, as well. We’re pleased to give him an opportunity and even more pleased to watch him take advantage of it.”

On Wednesday, Villanueva launched one of the Padres’ five home runs in a record-setting loss at Petco Park. Thursday arrived and Villanueva found himself in the lineup again, facing another left-hander.

Colorado’s Tyler Anderson traded zeroes with Richard for four innings. Leading off the bottom of the fifth, Villanueva hammered an 0-2 change-up, sending a drive to the upper deck in left. Anderson retired the next three batters.

The Rockies pitcher encountered more traffic in the sixth. Manuel Margot singled, took second on a bunt and stole third. Wil Myers walked, and Hunter Renfroe ripped a sacrifice fly to left. Yangervis Solarte singled. Up came Villanueva.

This time, the rookie pounced on the first pitch, lashing a single to left. Myers scored, and the Padres took a three-run lead.

Richard pitched into the eighth, when he gave up a one-out single. Solarte booted a ground ball at short, allowing another runner to reach. Kirby Yates took over for Richard. The reliever waged a 12-pitch battle with DJ LeMahieu, winning it with strike three. A force out ensued.

“That LeMahieu matchup with Kirby Yates was a really good matchup, really good battle,” Green said. “Kirby did a tremendous job.”

Brad Hand struck out the side in the ninth, joining Trevor Hoffman as the only relievers in Padres history with back-to-back 100-strikeout seasons.

Richard collected his eighth win of the year, in his club-leading 31st start. With one left to go, he needs 7 2/3 innings to finish with 200.

“It does mean something, and I feel like whether I get it or not, it doesn’t change how my year went,” Richard said. “I set out, and all starting pitchers set out, to end the year with that. … You get to that mark, it means that you’re doing something right consistently.”

Pirela's season ended by finger injury

Dennis Lin

Padres left fielder Jose Pirela has been shut down for the rest of the season because of a sprained left pinky finger. Pirela, who suffered the injury in a headfirst slide Sept. 10, will continue shagging fly balls during batting practice but will not continue taking swings.

After doing so Wednesday, Pirela’s finger “swelled up a little bit,” manager Andy Green said.

“We have no anticipation of him hitting anymore or trying to make it back in the last 10 days (of the season),” Green said. “In an ideal timeline, he might’ve been able to make it back for the last two games. When we looked at it, it’s just not worth it.”

Pirela, 27, signed a minor league deal last December. After being promoted from Triple-A El Paso in June, he anchored the Padres’ offense, hitting .288 with a .347 on-base percentage, 25 doubles and 10 home runs.

Given his breakout season, Pirela is expected to enter next spring as the favorite to start in left field. Other candidates could include Alex Dickerson, Travis Jankowski and Franchy Cordero.

“He’s definitely at the front of the line,” Green said of Pirela.

Defensive focus

In Wednesday’s loss to Arizona, his third game back from a monthlong demotion to Triple-A, right fielder Hunter Renfroe became the first Padres player to hit three home runs in a game since Phil Nevin in 2001. Renfroe increased his season total to 24 home runs, tying the Padres rookie record Nate Colbert set in 1969.

Green, however, opted to focus on a defensive play from the game, noting that Renfroe had gotten a particularly timely jump on a fly ball. In addition to his approach at the plate, Renfroe’s defense had been one reason the Padres optioned him to El Paso last month.

“That was a considerable difference from anything I’d seen at any point in time this season,” Green said. “I’d seen balls go five miles off his bat before. I want the day-in, day-out focus, I want the consistency of the at-bats, and that’s only going to be measured over time.”

Renfroe entered Thursday hitting .340 with a 1.142 on-base-plus-slugging percentage against lefties. He was hitting just .199 with a .630 OPS against righties. 4

Two of Wednesday’s home runs came against left-hander Robbie Ray. The last was off right- hander Braden Shipley.

“The consistency of the quality of at-bats against righties is what we’d love to see continue to improve,” Green said.

Notable

Reliever Jose Valdez and infielder Dusty Coleman cleared waivers and were outrighted to El Paso. Both players had been designated for assignment this week.

Shortstops to watch in the Padres' farm system

Jeff Sanders

Since Everth Cabrera’s 2013 All-Star campaign and subsequent fall from grace, the Padres have called on the likes of Alexi Amarista, Clint Barmes, Alexei Ramirez, Erick Aybar – and so, so many others – as stop-gaps in their quest to develop the next homegrown shortstop.

Those days are nearing an end.

Not only is the Padres’ top prospect now a shortstop – hello, Fernando Tatis Jr. – he’s an 18-year-old phenom with power, speed and charisma out the ears and he shot from the low minors all the way to Double-A in his first full year in pro ball. Better yet, A.J. Preller’s love for up-the-middle talent has waves of young shortstops bubbling up behind Tatis, giving the Padres plenty of assets in an important currency.

Here’s a rundown of the shortstops to know in the Padres’ farm system and how they fared in 2017:

1. Fernando Tatis Jr.

• Age: 18 • Team(s): Low Single-A Fort Wayne, Double-A San Antonio • 2017 stats: .278 avg., .379 OBP, .498 SLG, 22 HRs, 75 RBIs, 84 runs, 32 steals, 141 strikeouts (131 games, 486 at-bats) • Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 185 pounds • Bats/Throws: R/R • How acquired: Trade with White Sox in June 2016 • Need to know: While MLB.com ranks Tatis – the son of a former major leaguer – the fourth-best prospect in an improving farm system, Tatis Jr. is on the move: ESPN scouting guru Keith Law, for instance, believes he’s a top-10 prospect in all of baseball after a breakthrough first full year in pro ball. Hard to argue, too, given his bat speed, raw power, strong throwing arm and off-the-charts makeup. Slow to start the year at cold Fort Wayne, a second-half surge (1.108 OPS) prompted the Padres to jump Tatis all the way to Double-A, where he was the youngest player in the Texas League. He closed the year on a nine-game hitting streak, managed his first home run before season’s end and added another shot in the playoffs, where he hit .350 over five games. The 21 homers that Tatis hit in the Midwest League set a Fort Wayne franchise record, 6

while his 29 steals there made him the circuit’s youngest ever 20-20 producer. In other words, the decision to eat a reported $27-31 million of the money owed to James Shields to buy a better prospect in last June’s salary dumping trade couldn’t have worked out better for the rebuilding Padres.

2. Gabrial Arias

• Age: 17 • Team(s): Rookie AZL Padres, Low Single-A Fort Wayne • 2017 stats: .265 avg., .312 OBP, .326 SLG, 0 HRs, 17 RBIs, 26 runs, 5 steals, 67 strikeouts (53 games, 215 at-bats) • Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds • Bats/Throws: R/R • How acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent in July 2016 (Venezuela • Need to know: Ranked the No. 4 prospect in the 2016 international class by Baseball America, Arias cost the Padres $1.9 million in last summer’s unprecedented spending spree. Elite defensive skills, a no-doubt ability to remain at shortstop and a blossoming offensive profile has Arias pegged by some in the organization as the best position prospect behind Fernando Tatis Jr. In fact, the Padres were so bullish on Arias that they pushed him from the Arizona League to the Midwest League to take Tatis’ roster spot for Fort Wayne’s playoff run. The 17-year-old didn’t thrive in the aggressive assignment (.242/.266/.258) but didn’t embarrass himself either, setting himself up to start 2018 in the Midwest League. He’d be a young 18 years old in the circuit, like Tatis, Hudson Potts and others were at the start of this seaosn.

3. Javier Guerra

• Age: 21 • Team(s): High Single-A Lake Elsinore, Double-A San Antonio • 2017 stats: .222 avg., .266 OBP, .349 SLG, 9 HRs, 53 RBIS, 56 runs, 2 steals, 159 strikeouts (128 games, 481 at-bats) • Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 155 pounds • Bats/Throws: L/R • How acquired: Trade with Red Sox in November 2015

• Need to know: On the heels of a 15-homer season in low Single-A in 2015, Guerra’s seemingly rising star had some in the organization believing he – not Manuel Margot – was the top get in the Craig Kimbrel trade. Then Guerra hit .202/.264/.325 in his first year in the organization in the California League and followed it up with another dismal offensive campaign. His arm remains one of the best in the system and his skills at shortstop alone prompted the Padres to put him on the 40-man before the start of the season. However, as pretty as his left-handed swing is at times, a 34.4 percent strikeout rate the last two years shows Guerra is far from taking the next step in his offensive development.

4. Luis Almanzar

• Age: 17 • Team(s): Short-season Tri-City • 2017 stats: .230 avg., .299 avg., .299 SLG, 2 HRs, 21 RBIs, 36 runs, 10 steals, 85 strikeouts (67 games, 261 at-bats) • Height/Weight: 6-foot, 180 pounds • Bats/Throws: R/R • How acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent in July 2016 (Dominican Republic) • Need to know: He was 16 years old when his status as the 2016 international class’ No. 2 prospect (Baseball America) earned him a $4 million signing bonus from the Padres. At the time, international scouting director Chris Kemp deemed Almanzar “the best hitter in the whole world market” and the Padres pushed him with an assignment to the Northwest League to start his pro career. He fashioned a .597 OPS but projects as a plus hitter who with above-average power as he matures and quite possibly outgrows the position. He’s already played nearly as many games at third base (31) as shortstop (32), but has plenty of arm strength for the throws across the diamond.

Padres to extend netting at Petco Park

Dennis Lin

On Wednesday in New York, a young girl was hospitalized after being struck by a line drive. Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier, who had hit the ball, was distraught. Concern rippled throughout the rest of the league, including in San Diego, where officials recalled a May 4 incident.

On Thursday, the Padres joined three other teams in announcing plans to expand the netting at their stadiums for 2018. Additional netting at Petco Park, extending to the end of each dugout, will be in place prior to the March 29 season opener against Milwaukee.

The Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners also pledged similar measures.

“I’m really encouraged by the conversations that have taken place today,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday at Petco Park, during an annual tour of the league. “A number of clubs have made clear that they either have made ... or will be making announcements about additional netting for the 2018 season. I see that as a continuation of a process that is really good for the game over the long haul.”

In a statement, the Padres said they would continue to “proactively evaluate all safety practices at Petco Park to ensure the security and well-being of our fans.”

Thursday’s announcement, prompted by the incident in New York and Manfred’s vows to “redouble” efforts on fan safety, followed a few months of planning. Early this season, a bat slipped out of the hands of Padres catcher Hector Sanchez and struck a woman sitting above the visiting dugout at Petco Park.

Details on the dimensions of the new netting will be available after installation. The Padres previously increased safety measures before the 2016 season, following a league-wide recommendation to extend netting 70 feet from home plate to the inner edges of both dugouts.

Notable

• There continue to be discussions regarding a potential 2018 regular-season series in Mexico. League officials have indicated that, if games materialize, the Padres will be involved. “Whether it’s going to be in Mexico City or someplace else depends on some logistical issues that we’re trying to work our way through,” said Manfred, who noted that the recent earthquake that shook central Mexico has complicated the situation. 9

• Asked about the June home-plate collision that left Padres catcher Austin Hedges with a brusied thigh, Manfred declined to elaborate on the league’s decision not to suspend Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Of the Padres’ decision not to retaliate, Manfred said: “I think the Padres in that situation behaved in a way that is good for the game in a situation that could’ve become explosive.” • Padres Executive Chairman Ron Fowler, who attended Manfred’s press conference, indicated that Petco Park could host a college bowl game during the baseball offseason, but ruled out the possibility of football games in season. “To make the modifications necessary to make the stadium safe for football and do the things necessary to maintain the integrity of the field for baseball, it doesn’t work during the season,” Fowler said.

September a good month for Hunter Renfroe

Jeff Sanders

Hunter Renfroe, the clean-up hitter tonight to start a four-game series against the wild-card hopeful Rockies, is one home run away from seizing sole control of the Padres’ rookie home run record.

In September, the 25-year-old right fielder is good bet to mash a least a few more before season’s end.

Renfroe hit three home runs in Wednesday’s loss and now owns an obscene .370/.408/.957 batting line, eight homers and 21 RBIs in 14 career games in September.

Four of those home runs left the yard as a September call-up last year, including the first of his Western Metal Supply Co. building roof shots. He’s added four more as a September call- up this year, giving him 24 on the season.

Only Nate Colbert ever hit as much in his first full year as a Padre.

A comparison of their official rookie seasons:

• Renfroe (2017) | 114 games, 448 PA, .234/.290/.470, 24 HRs, 54 RBIs, 27 BBs, 128 strikeouts, 3 steals • Colbert (1969) | 139 games, 532 PA, .255/.322/.482, 24 HRs, 66 RBIs, 45 BBs, 123 strikeouts, 6 steals

Pirela done for the year

Sidelined since Sept. 10 with a pinky injury, Jose Pirela will be shut down, Padres manager Andy Green said Thursday afternoon, but will be at the “front of the line” to be a starter in 2018.

That’s an easy call to make right now.

In his first extensive year of playing time, the 27-year-old Pirela hit .288/.347/.490 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs. He struck out in just 71 of his 83 games played.

Good evening, Commissioner

Commissioner Rob Manfred held court with media after visiting the Padres clubhouse. Some highlights ahead of a full report later this evening:

• Executive Chairman Ron Fowler told Manfred on Thursday that they will extend netting past the dugouts for the start of the 2018 season. • Baseball remains interested in games in Mexico in 2018, whether in Mexico City or at another location. The recent earthquakes complicates matters in Mexico City. • The way the Padres refrained from retaliating after the Anthony Rizzo-Austin Hedges collision earlier this year was “good for the game.”

Notable

• SS Dusty Coleman and RHP Jose Valdez cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A El Paso.

Up next

• Friday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (8-4, 3.75) vs. Padres RHP Jordan Lyles (1-3, 7.35), 7:10 p.m. • Saturday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (1-3, 6.23) vs. Padres RHP Jhoulys Chacin (12- 10, 4.12), 5:40 p.m. • Sunday: Rockies RHP German Marquez (10-7, 4.41) vs. Padres RHP Luis Perdomo (8-10, 4.57), 1:40 p.m.

Faulk, Padres set for Celebrate San Diego Tailgate

Marshall Faulk

Jeff Sanders

The jumping off point for his football career, San Diego didn’t truly open Marshall Faulk’s eyes to all it had to offer until after he first moved away.

After he piled up 62 career touchdowns at San Diego State. After he put the Aztecs in the national spotlight during three mind-boggling seasons. After the No. 2 overall pick was well on his way to penning a Hall of Fame resume.

“When I was a student all I had time to do was study and play football,” Faulk said. “I didn't get to really enjoy San Diego until I was out of school. That’s when you get to enjoy the beach, how downtown has continued to grow and all up the coast how the businesses in Encinitas and Solana Beach and all those areas have grown. I was here before we had a 56 freeway. I was here when the 52 freeway stopped at Santo Road.

“I've been here a while and I've watched this city continue to grow.”

On Saturday, Faulk will celebrate all that – as well as this town’s sports history – at Petco Park’s Celebrate San Diego Tailgate, the second such Padres-sponsored event since the Chargers moved to Los Angeles. Former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, NBA Hall-of-Famer and San Diego native Bill Walton, former Chargers wide receiver, Charlie Joiner, former Padres pitcher Randy Jones and former Aztecs basketball coach Steve Fisher will also attend a party leading into the 5:40 p.m. game against the Rockies.

“I think it's great to recognize the sports we do have here and remind everyone to appreciate what we have here and that there is a history,” said Jones, an NL Cy Young Award-winning pitcher after his 1976 campaign with the Padres. “Yeah, we do need more championships and hopefully those are things to come. We all want that and hopefully it will happen and the Padres right now seem to be on the right track to do that.”

February’s “Celebrate San Diego Rally” drew more than 12,000 fans through Petco Park’s gates. Saturday’s 2 p.m. encore in the tailgate lot will feature live entertainment, beer, food trucks and a screening of San Diego State football’s 4 p.m. game at Air Force.

Given their back-to-back Mountain West Conference titles and last week’s dramatic win over No. 19 Stanford, the Aztecs ought to be a real source of pride for San Diegans these days, Faulk said.

“The fans that are here … people love their sports here,” Faulk said. “As the Aztecs found out in basketball, as they found out in baseball and as we're finding out in football, you build a consistent winner and you lay it on the line and put it on the field, they come out and support you and respect you.”

The tailgate lot opens at noon Saturday. Visit padres.com for information on ticket packages that include tickets to the Padres game, drink vouchers, doublewide tailgate space and a Padres tailgate flag..

Richard keeps Rox off balance in strong start

By AJ Cassavell and Thomas Harding / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- Padres left-hander Clayton Richard celebrated his fresh two-year, $6 million contract extension by increasing the Rockies' stress.

A day after signing his new deal, Richard struck out eight in 7 1/3 scoreless innings, and forced three double-play grounders, as the Padres sent the Rockies to their fourth straight loss, 3-0, at Petco Park on Thursday night.

"That's a life-changing thing for me and my family, to know that we're going to be here and be a part of this, but I didn't want to put more emphasis into today, as opposed to six days from now," Richard said of his new contract. "It means something, yes, but on the field, I have to eliminate that from my thought process."

Rockies shortstop Trevor Story said of Richard: "He mixed it up, kept the ball down, did a good job of keeping us off balance."

The Rockies, who were shut out for the second straight game, remained a game up in the race for the second National League Wild Card, because the Brewers lost, 5-3, in 10 innings to the Cubs. However, the Cardinals, winners of three straight, pulled to 1 1/2 games behind the Rockies with a win over the Reds.

"We're playing baseball, trying to win the game," Rockies leadoff man Charlie Blackmonsaid. "I never really thought about those other teams at any point."

The Padres' Christian Villanueva drove in two runs -- one on his second big league homer, a fifth-inning leadoff shot off Rockies starter Tyler Anderson.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

He needed help: Anderson had not given up a run in 14 innings since returning from a left knee injury, which required surgery and cost him three months, but he had no margin for error. His mistake came in the fifth on an 0-2 changeup that Villanueva laced into the left- field seats. It was his second home run in as many nights after making his big league debut on Monday.

"I'm honestly trying to go up there and have good at-bats and make good contact, hit the ball hard," Villanueva said. "I'm not really worried about whether they're home runs or not."

Dirty dozen: After shortstop Yangervis Solarte's one-out fielding error in the eighth inning allowed runners to reach first and second -- the Rockies' first foray into scoring position since Story's double-play grounder to end the first -- Padres manager Andy Green replaced Richard with Kirby Yates to face DJ LeMahieu. Yates came from a 2-0 count to put LeMahieu on the brink. Six pitches in, the count was full. Then LeMahieu fouled off the next five pitches -- all fastballs -- before Yates struck him out on a curve. Nolan Arenadogrounded out to end the threat.

"Really good matchup, really good battle," said Green. "Kirby did a tremendous job."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS When he struck out the side in the ninth, Brad Hand became the second relief pitcher in Padres history to record consecutive 100-strikeout seasons. He joined legendary Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, who did so in 1996 and '97. Since the start of the 2016 season, only the Yankees' Dellin Betances has more relief strikeouts than Hand's 211.

REPLAY REVIEW Richard leads the National League with 32 double-play grounders this season. He used the help of a review to record his second of three on Thursday. With a man on first and one out in the fourth, Ian Desmond bounced back to the mound. Richard started the twin killing, but Desmond was initially called safe at first. Replay overturned that ruling. Padres challenge play at first WHAT'S NEXT

Rockies: Righty Jon Gray (8-4, 3.75 ERA) had struck out five in five innings against the Padres on Sunday, but he didn't come back after a rain delay and the Rockies ended up losing. He'll meet the Padres again Friday at Petco Park at 8:10 p.m. MT.

Padres: Jordan Lyles aims to put a dent in his former team's playoff hopes when the Padres host the Rockies Friday night at 7:10 p.m. PT. In two starts for San Diego, Lyles has allowed 13 runs in 13 2/3 innings. He was released by Colorado on Aug. 1, before signing with the Padres a week later.

Villanueva's big league dreams coming true Padres infielder thinks of late brother after second career homer

By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- Christian Villanueva can't hear them, but he knows they're there. He's too locked in, trying to make the most of the at-bats he's waited so long for, to allow the cheers of his family to crack his mind. Villanueva, a 26-year-old getting his first experience in the Major Leagues, has given them good reason to celebrate, homering in back-to-back games, including Thursday's 3-0 victory over the Rockies, four appearances into his career.

He's done it in front of his wife, son, mother and siblings, who have erupted passionately after each hit. The noise passes by Villanueva, but their presence does not go unfelt.

"It's really special," Villanueva said through a team interpreter. "It's amazing. I had my family here seeing me. [I'm] also helping the team win. It's really unforgettable." Villanueva, a third baseman in his third organization and ninth professional season, was a top 100 prospect for the Rangers before the 2012 season. Traded to the Cubs that year, he soon found himself behind eventual National League MVP Kris Bryant.

After a broken ankle cost Villanueva all of 2016, he signed a Minor League with the Padres in the offseason. His older brother, Eduardo, died unexpectedly during Spring Training. So Wednesday, when he sent a grounder up the middle against Arizona's Robbie Ray for his first Major League hit, Villanueva felt a sense of release.

"The pressure went out," he said, "the butterflies out of my stomach."

He stroked his first home run two at-bats later.

"I couldn't ask for more," he said. "The best moment of my life."

He had to work to get the ball back after the game, signing autographs and taking pictures for the fans who caught it. Villanueva did not hold onto it for long. He passed the ball along to his mom, Rosario, the woman he called "my whole world." As mothers do, Rosario felt her son's struggles along the way.

His success means as much to her as it does to him. 17

"It's been a huge season for her, too," Villanueva said. "For as much as she's supported me throughout my career, to finally see me up here, it's a really special season for her." Rosario was still in the crowd Thursday when Villanueva sent Tyler Anderson's 0-2 changeup out to left for his second home run in as many days.

He came through again with an RBI single in the sixth. After earning a promotion by hitting .296 with 20 home runs for Triple-A El Paso, Villanueva is 4-for-12 with an .833 slugging percentage for the Padres.

Manager Andy Green said Villanueva, a right-handed batter, will continue to start against left- handed pitching.

"For us, to see what Christian's done, it's fun," Green said. "We're pleased to give him an opportunity and even more pleased to watch him take advantage of it."

Although he doesn't hear their ovations, Villanueva is motivated by his family. That includes Eduardo.

"I know that he and God are two of the reasons that I'm here," Villanueva said before his debut. "It was hard, of course. But he was the brother that most pushed me. He wanted to see this. It was a dream for him."

If their cheers are any indication, the whole family dreamed of Villanueva reaching this point. So far, he's made the most of this reality.

Lyles aims to rebound, free on Facebook

By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com

Rockies right-hander Jon Gray has dominated the Padres in his career. On Friday at Petco Park, he'll try to continue doing so, while keeping Colorado in playoff position.

The game will be broadcast live on the official MLB Facebook page, and include an exclusive MLB.com pregame show.

Opposing Gray will be former Rockies righty Jordan Lyles, who has an 8.78 ERA in three starts for San Diego.

The Rockies enter the second of their four games against San Diego one game ahead of Milwaukee for the second National League Wild Card spot. They trail Arizona by six games for home-field advantage in the one-game playoff.

Gray has a 2.50 ERA in nine career starts against the Padres, including the lone complete game and shutout of his career last season at Coors Field. His most recent start was against the Padres in Denver, but a rain delay ended his outing after five scoreless innings. Gray has a 2.32 ERA in nine outings since the start of August.

"Jon's throwing the ball well," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "A lot of momentum for Jon. Hopefully, it continues."

Things to know about this game

• Lyles will make his second straight start against his former club. The first did not go well, as Lyles allowed seven runs in four innings. He had a 5.22 ERA in 105 appearances for Colorado since 2014 before the organization released him earlier this season.

• Gray has been particularly stingy in his matchups against left-handed batters during his past nine starts. Statcast estimates those lefties should have batted only .200 against Gray in that span, based on the quality of their contact on balls put in play, plus their actual strikeouts. That .200 expected batting average -- right in line with Gray's actual .198 average allowed to lefties -- ranks among the game's best righty starters over the past seven-plus weeks.

• Wil Myers and Yangervis Solarte, expected to bat third and fourth for the Padres against Gray, have had success against him. Myers is 7-for-18 with two doubles and a home run, while Solarte is 4-for-12, with half of his hits being doubles.

Petco to expand netting for next season

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- A day after a frightening incident at Yankee Stadium saw a young girl struck by a foul ball, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he was encouraged by the league's "redoubled" efforts to expand netting at ballparks across the Major Leagues.

Speaking on Thursday at Petco Park -- where he addressed a number of topics ranging from pace of play to the home-run surge to a possible regular-season series in Mexico next year -- Manfred's press conference focused on additional netting being implemented to protect fans.

That decision will remain with individual clubs, Manfred said, with a goal "to get them to make decisions that make sense in their local markets and given the configuration of their ballparks." But he noted that the league had "extensive" talks with clubs on Thursday in an effort to increase fan safety. Several of those clubs -- including the Padres -- have already responded in kind by announcing additional safety measures.

"Frankly, I'm really encouraged by the conversations that have taken place today," Manfred said. "A number of clubs have made clear that they either have made ... or will be making announcements about additional netting for the 2018 season. I see that as a continuation of a process that is really good for the game over the long haul."

Petco Park, specifically, will expand its protective netting beyond both dugouts, the club announced. The Mariners, Rockies and Reds also announced plans to expand netting on Thursday.

"We've talked to clubs on an ongoing basis over the last two years," Manfred said. "We've had extensive conversations with clubs today. I think we all agree on what the goals should be."

Rule changes coming this offseason?

Regarding potential changes involving pace of play and September callups, Manfred said the league and the Players' Association will continue discussions into the offseason -- even without a new collective bargaining agreement on the horizon.

"One of the most positive things about the improvement of our labor relations is that we do get things done in between agreements," Manfred said. "It used to be, when I started, that if you didn't get it done in collective bargaining, you put it on the shelf for five years. It's not that way anymore, particularly in respect to on-field issues."

Among the potential changes being discussed are limiting mound visits, shortenting the between-innings gap and instituting a pitch clock, Manfred said.

As for September roster rules, Manfred expressed a desire for change, so long as the league can work with its players to ensure that the overall number of service days isn't reduced.

"A lot of people feel -- and I actually agree strongly with this sentiment -- that in September we play our most important games, and we should be playing them at least close to the way we play them all season long," Manfred said.

League "hopeful" for series in Mexico in '18

Rumors have persisted that Major League Baseball -- more specifically the Padres and Dodgers -- will play a series in Mexico next May. Two days after an earthquake devastated parts of Mexico City, Manfred addressed that possibility.

"I am still hopeful that we're going to play in Mexico," he said. "Whether it's going to be in Mexico City or someplace else depends on some logistical issues that we're trying to work our way through. That situation, obviously, has been complicated by recent events. Understanding all of that, I still hope that we will play Major League regular-season games there next year."

Manfred discusses home run surge

Two days after Major League hitters combined to set the league's all-time single-season home run record, the Commissioner discussed the reasons behind the spike in long balls.

Foremost, he addressed players being bigger, faster and stronger than their predecessors. He also noted that methods for teaching the game have changed, with less resistance to strikeouts and more emphasis on power.

Manfred also addressed the possiblity of a change in the baseball itself.

"We have used two independent labs," Manfred said. "Rawlings, the manufacturer of our baseballs, does its own testing. And I know that baseballs, for the entire time I've been Commissioner and the years preceding that, are within the same range of specifications that they've always been."

Pirela's season ends due to finger injury Padres left fielder motivated to earn starting role in 2018

By Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- After telling Jose Pirela that his season is over, Padres manager Andy Green's next words were encouraging.

"Congratulations on a tremendous baseball season," Green told his left fielder. "Outstanding. You made an unbelievable impression."

A sprained left pinky finger will end the best season of Pirela's career. After beginning the year in Triple-A, Pirela became San Diego's regular No. 3 hitter and left fielder before a headfirst slide ended his campaign two weeks early. His slashline of .288/.347/.490 makes him the Padres' OPS leader among position players, excluding September callups.

"I'm really happy for the opportunity that was given to me; I'm really grateful for it and satisfied with the season that I've had," Pirela said through a team interpreter. "Incredible. I think it was a lot of learning, a lot of hard work and unbelievable results."

Green in recent days hinted at the possibility Pirela's season would end early. His pinky remained sore and would become swollen after he swung a bat. Given the short time before the regular season finale, trying to get Pirela healthy for what the Padres determined would be only two games was "just not worth it," Green said.

Pirela will continue to shag fly balls in left field (a position once secondary to the former infielder), prior to games, but he won't swing a bat.

This season represented remarkable growth for Pirela. He hit .226 in three Major League stints for the Yankees and Padres before San Diego designated him for assignment last offseason. He re-signed on a Minor League deal and wasn't given a spot on the 40-man roster.

Pirela, though, will enter 2018 at the "front of the line" to start in left, Green said. Pirela sees that not as an opportunity to relax, but as motivation to continue to improve and stay ahead of a group that includes Alex Dickerson, Travis Jankowski and Franchy Cordero.

"It's great that Andy has given me this opportunity and has believed in me and has said those things," Pirela said. "On one hand, it fills you with a lot of pride, but at the same time, you can't feel comfortable with that. You can't feel satisfied with that. It has to be used as motivation to come out here and show that you deserve something like that.

"I'm just going to keep working, so then hopefully, better things can come."

Petco won't host other sports during MLB season

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred visited San Diego on Thursday and addressed the possibility of Petco Park being a multi-purpose stadium. Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler later gave a brief statement clarifying the team's plans going forward regarding other sports.

"To make the stadium safe for football and do the things necessary to maintain the integrity of the field for baseball, it doesn't work during the season," Fowler said.

Still, Fowler noted that the club has had discussions about converting Petco Park into a facility eligible for hosting the college football Holiday Bowl, played in December.

"We encourage our clubs to be as economically aggressive as possible," Manfred said. "... Virtually all of our clubs have concerts in their venues. We have no issue with that. Our only concern is that the playing surfaces be returned to Major League quality."

Worth noting • Shortstop Dusty Coleman and right-hander Jose Valdez, designated for assignment Monday, cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A.

Four MLB teams announce plans for more safety netting after young girl’s injury

Washington Post

By Des Bieler

In the wake of the incident Wednesday in which a young girl was injured by a foul ball at Yankee Stadium, four MLB teams Thursday announced plans to extend the protective netting at their ballparks. They will join the 10 major league teams that have already done so, and some other teams said they were looking into it.

Saying that their “ongoing commitment to providing the best ballpark experience includes maintaining the safety and security of our fans,” the Cincinnati Reds announced they would extend their netting to the ends of each dugout, starting in the 2018 season. Most teams currently have netting that protects the seats behind and near home plate but ends at each dugout, as MLB recommends but does not mandate for its 30 franchises.

The San Diego Padres also said they would install netting to the end of each dugout in time for the 2018 season, following “several months of planning.” The Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners were less specific about what they would do with their netting, but both pledged to expand it at their ballparks.

“This is an issue that we’ve been concerned about for some time,” Mariners president Kevin Mather said. “We still have some details to work out, but the bottom line is expanded netting at Safeco Field is going to happen.”

In the game between the Yankees and Minnesota Twins, players on the field were clearly upset, with some shedding tears, as medical personnel attended to the girl. Witnesses said the toddler was hit in the face by a ball off the bat of New York’s Todd Frazier, and she was taken to a hospital, where she remains in unspecified condition.

After the game, a still-emotional Frazier said that he thought “every stadium should have” extended netting, which the Yankees lack. “All parks should have it all the way down,” the Yankees’ CC Sabathia added.

While the Yankees said in August that they were “seriously exploring extending the netting before the 2018 season to the outside of the Yankees’ dugout and the outside of the visitors’ dugout,” the Mets had already added the protection in July. Officials with White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers said Thursday that their teams would explore the issue of expanded netting.

“Right now, there’s constant evaluation and ballpark operations works very closely with the Commissioner’s Office to get their recommendations,” Tigers vice president of communications Ron Colangelo told the Detroit Free Press. “Obviously, we’re looking at ways that we can enhance fan safety.”

Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons said he was “surprised there’s not more injuries” on balls hit sharply into the stands. “There always seems to be some close calls,” he added (via TSN). “I mean, there was a broken bat that went in the stands here the other night. If that catches somebody wrong, it could pierce them.

“I would be in favor of [more netting]. No doubt.”

Twitter Ads info and privacy A spokesman for the Los Angeles Angels told the Los Angeles Times that the team is in compliance with MLB guidelines and has no immediate plans to extend its netting. The Times’s Helene Elliott noted that netting “commonly extends to the foul poles in Japanese baseball.”

“The events at yesterday’s game involving a young girl were extremely upsetting for everyone in our game,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday. “Over the past few seasons, MLB has worked with our clubs to expand the amount of netting in our ballparks.

“In light of yesterday’s event, we will redouble our efforts on this important issue.”

It's time now for major league teams to expand netting to protect fans as much as possible

Los Angeles Times

By: Helene Elliott

The television is almost always on in baseball clubhouses, though players rarely do more than glance at the screen while they go about their pregame routines. But images on Wednesday from Yankee Stadium, where a young girl was hit in the face with a foul ball, disrupted the Angels’ routines and drew their fearful attention.

“A few of us in here saw it and quickly said a prayer for her. That’s scary stuff,” pitcher Matt Shoemaker said Thursday. “I’m actually glad they didn’t cover it a lot on the news and show that stuff a lot. They showed it once, in passing.”

The girl, who has not been identified, was struck by a line drive off the bat of New York Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier and down the third-base line at an estimated 105 miles per hour. Frazier and his teammates were distraught while medical personnel tended to her and transported her to a local hospital; several members of the visiting Minnesota Twins also wore somber expressions when it became clear the girl was badly hurt.

“It’s a sad situation. I saw it on TV. It breaks my heart,” Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols said. “For me to have five kids, you think right away, ‘That could be my kid.’”

Reaction around baseball was swift and promising Thursday. The San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners announced plans to expand the netting at their stadiums for 2018 and Commissioner Rob Manfred, who called the incident “extremely upsetting for everyone in our game,” said that Major League Baseballwould redouble its efforts to expand the scope of netting in ballparks.

In 2015 MLB “encouraged” teams to extend netting to protect seats between the near ends of both dugouts and within 70 feet of home plate but did not mandate it. Some teams have extended the netting to the far edge of the dugouts, and the New York Mets at mid-season extended theirs beyond that. The Dodgers and Angels expanded their netting before the 2016 season, but the Angels' netting doesn't quite reach the near end of the dugouts.

Angels spokesman Tim Mead said the team has been compliant with MLB guidelines and said additional extension of the netting isn’t imminent “at this point.” The Dodgers did not respond

28 to two inquiries regarding potentially expanding their netting. Netting commonly extends to the foul poles in Japanese baseball.

It’s time for every MLB team to lengthen the netting beyond the dugouts. No safety measure will safeguard every spectator, but if the technology exists to add a level of protection, it’s foolish not to use it. Some fans fumed when the NHL, reacting to the death of 13-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets fan Brittanie Cecil two days after she was struck in the head by a deflected puck, ordered teams to install protective screens behind each goal. But the netting soon became an accepted part of the scenery. That can happen in baseball too. “I think they’ll get used to it, just like anything else,” Pujols said.

The Yankees, citing medical privacy laws, haven’t updated the girl’s status. Her injury wasn’t a matter of her not paying attention or, according to accounts, of a companion neglecting to protect her. “They’re projectiles, and even fans that are paying attention get, I think, surprised by the velocity of these balls and bats, unfortunately, that break, or you lose your handle,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday before his team’s 4-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

If professional athletes can’t elude a baseball flying at 100 mph — Shoemaker has a scar on the right side of his head from emergency brain surgery he required after being struck by a line drive last September — it’s unrealistic to expect fans to avoid a baseball hurtling toward them.

Adding netting makes sense. “I don’t think it would be something that’s too difficult to do,” Shoemaker said. “Logistically, I don’t know the reasons why we haven’t had it out there yet. It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry. Maybe some fans complained about the line of sight, I would guess, as an argument. But people sit behind the plate all the time and it’s fine. If that’s the way to fix it, then maybe so be it.”

Pujols recalled being devastated when, while playing with the St. Louis Cardinals, a ball he hit foul struck a little boy in the head. Hitting a peer bothered him no less: He was so shaken after he hit Padres pitcher Chris Young in the face with a liner in 2008 that then-Cardinals manager Tony La Russa removed him from the game.

“Your head is not in the game anymore,” Pujols said. “I’m sure Todd was thinking about that the whole game.”

Shoemaker has two children, 2½ and almost 1. He makes sure they’re in the Angels’ family section, which is elevated and tucked beneath an overhang, or in the room reserved for

29 players’ family members. He wants his kids — and every child — to love baseball as much he does, but he wants them to be safe.

MLB must help ensure that. “It’s a fun experience for them,” Shoemaker said, “but it scares me internally when I see little kids sitting right behind the dugout with no net. That’s scary. What happened was unfortunate but hopefully she’s OK.”

Richard, Padres hand Rockies 4th straight loss, 3-0

SAN DIEGO -- The Colorado Rockies keep stumbling as they try to protect their tenuous hold on the NL's second wild card. They've lost four straight games and six of eight, the latest coming Thursday night when veteran left-hander Clayton Richard and rookie slugger Christian Villanueva led the San Diego Padres to a 3-0 win.

Richard (8-14) struck out eight in 7 1/3 innings a day after agreeing to a two-year contract extension through 2019, and Villanueva homered for the second straight game and drove in two runs.

Manager Bud Black said the "spirit's good" for a Rockies team that kept its one-game lead over Milwaukee thanks to the Brewers' 5-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

"The guys are embracing where we are, in a pennant race for the first time in a couple years for this organization," Black said. "You look at the landscape of baseball. From April until now, it's an ebb and flow. There's a rhythm to this season that goes up and down. The last few games the bats haven't woken, but you look at ten days ago, or two weeks ago where our bats were, and look at it that way. Our time is coming to swing the bats."

Other than a 16-0 blowout win against the Padres in Denver on Saturday, the Rockies have struggled.

Colorado lefty Tyler Anderson (5-6) was pulled after 5 2/3 innings, having allowed three runs and six hits, with six strikeouts and a walk.

Black, who managed the Padres from 2007 until June 2015, came with the hook after Anderson allowed an RBI single by Villanueva for a 3-0 lead with two outs in the sixth. Two batters earlier, Hunter Renfroe hit a sacrifice fly.

Five days earlier, Anderson got the win in the 16-run romp.

Richard allowed seven hits and walked one. He was pulled after pinch-hitter Pat Valaika singled and Charlie Blackmon reached on shortstop Yangervis Solarte's single with 31 one out in the eighth. Kirby Yates came on and struck out DJ LeMahieu in a 12-pitch at-bat and got Nolan Arenado to force Blackmon.

"It's a good win for the team against a good team that's battling to be in the playoffs," Richard said. "These games mean a lot to them and we're going to play every game as if it means a lot to us."

The Padres are in a deep rebuilding mode and are 28 games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

Villanueva, who made his big league debut on Monday night, homered to left-center leading off the fifth. He got his first hit, a single, and first homer in a loss to Arizona on Wednesday night.

Villanueva's rise to the big leagues was delayed because he was stuck behind Kris Bryant in the Cubs' organization and broke a leg last year.

"He's been fun to watch," manager Andy Green said. "The swing, just looking at it, it looks right, it plays. It's got some buggy whip to it. There's clearly power there."

Homering again was "really special," Villanueva said through a translator. "I've had my family here seeing me, so they're watching games, which is amazing. Also, helping the team win. It's really unforgettable. It's amazing."

TALK TO THE HAND

Brad Hand struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save and his second 100-strikeout season. He joined Trevor Hoffman (1996-97) as the only relievers in Padres history to have back-to-back 100-strikeout seasons.

"Anytime you show up in that category with Trevor Hoffman, it's pretty special," Green said.

UP NEXT

Rockies: RHP Jon Gray (8-4, 3.75 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night. He pitched five scoreless innings against San Diego on Sunday before being removed after a 90-minute rain delay.

Padres: RHP Jordan Lyles (1-3, 7.35) is scheduled to face his former team. He was released by the Rockies on Aug. 1 and signed by the Padres on Aug. 8. This will be his fourth start with San Diego and second at home.

This Day in Padres History, 9/22 Record series at the Q, walk-off homers, Peavy/Otsuka shutout

By Bill Center

Sept. 22, 1975 — Second baseman Hector Torres hits a walk-off homer in the 11th to give the Padres a 6–5, 11-inning win over the Dodgers at San Diego Stadium.

Sept. 22, 1979 — Third baseman Paul Dade is 4-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and a RBI as the Padres defeat the Dodgers 10–8 in Mission Valley.

Sept. 22, 1996 — The Padres defeat the Dodgers 3–2 behind a two-run homer by center fielder Steve Finley to gain a split of a four-game series that draws a four-game series record of 197,225 fans to Mission Valley.

Sept. 22, 2001 — Pinch-hitter Mike Darr hits a walk-off homer in the 10th as the Padres defeat the Giants 4–3 before 60,870 fans at Qualcomm Stadium.

Sept. 22, 2004 — Right-handers Jake Peavy and Akinori Otsuka combine on a three-hit shutout as the Padres defeat the Dodgers 4–0 at Petco Park. Peavy allowed three hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts in eight innings. Otsuka struck out one in a perfect ninth.