Padres Press Clips Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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Padres, Bass outdueled by ageless Moyer MLB.com Perkins 2

Richard, Nicasio square off in Padres-Rox finale MLB.com Cassavell 4

Hits starting to fall for Hundley MLB.com Perkins 6

Ageless Moyer sets record against Padres UT San Diego Center 9

On-Deck Wednesday: Richard seeks win in Colorado UT San Diego Center 11

Hudson needs to improve to save job UT San Diego Center 12

Daily Update: Denorfria’s bat is hot UT San Diego Center 14

Minors Report: Lake Elsinore gets second UT San Diego Center 15 straight shutout

Cable impasse, lots of losing will be test for UT San Diego Sullivan 17 Friars’ faithful

Rockies' Moyer becomes oldest pitcher to win NC Times Graham 19 game in major

Despite giving up another hit to Kostay, Moyer AP Staff 21 becomes oldest to get ‘W,’ Rockies beat Padres

1 Padres, Bass outdueled by ageless Moyer Denorfia goes 4-for-4; Hundley hits ninth-inning homer

By Owen Perkins / MLB.com | 4/18/2012 2:08 AM ET

DENVER -- It seemed like old times for Jamie Moyer, who won a game for the first time since he was a Phillie two years ago and eclipsed an 80-year-old baseball record by becoming the oldest pitcher to win a Major League baseball game, beating the Padres, 5-3, at the age of 49.

"He pitched well," Padres manager Bud Black said. "I've seen it obviously for a long time. That was his basic game, what you saw tonight. The changeup down and away. Threw some cutters inside, threw the backdoor cutter. Threw some sinkers, kept us off balance."

A day after setting a season high with 14 hits, the Padres were stymied by Moyer, scraping together six singles against the veteran left-hander.

Mark Kotsay continued his career-long domination of Moyer, collecting a single to right in the first frame and a 70-foot single that died before reaching third in the sixth. Kotsay improved to .583 (21-for-36) against Moyer, the highest average of any hitter with more than 11 at-bats against him.

"We got a lot of history," Kotsay said of his satisfying second single. "Any time I get a hit off him, he has something to say, and obviously I have something to say back. It's been a fun challenge between him and I for a few years. The hits weren't necessarily crushed, but they were hits."

Kotsay's two hits were equalized by Moyer using his sinking fastball to induce Kotsay into the first of three consecutive inning-ending double plays in the third. Moyer raised his arms triumphantly as he left the mound.

"That's a personal thing going on between Mark Kostay and I," Moyer said. "He wears me out, and he knows it. And I know it. We joke about it in the offseason. So to get him to hit into a double play was a big thing for me. We both had fun with it."

Right-hander Anthony Bass started strong, pitching 2 2/3 innings of no-hit ball before Marco Scutaro sparked a two-out rally with a single up the middle. Dexter Fowler followed with his second home run of season, a towering shot over the right-field scoreboard to give the Rockies a 2-0 lead.

"I just made a bad pitch to Dexter Fowler, and a good hitter's going to hit it out," Bass said. "I was one pitch away from possibly getting a win tonight."

The Rockies added a run in the fourth on another two-out rally, with Michael Cuddyer knocking a single to center and Wilin Rosario plating him with a deep double into the right-center gap. They touched Bass for three runs on four hits and three walks, while Bass fanned seven in five innings.

"Anthony threw the ball well again, but a couple mistakes got him," Black said. "The Fowler pitch was up in the strike zone. Changeup, up. He hit a deep fly home run. But I thought his stuff was good. The velocity was there. A good hard slider. A couple good changeups. They swung over the top of some sliders. His goal moving forward is to turn those 90-plus pitches into seven innings instead of five."

2 Bass acknowledged the example Moyer set in pitch efficiency, going two innings further on four pitches fewer.

"That's definitely something to watch and learn from," Bass said. "He's a pitcher out there. He makes his pitches and gets guys out."

The Padres finally put a pair of unearned runs on the board in the seventh when Andy Parrino drilled a ball through shortstop Troy Tulowitzki's legs for a two-base error, his second of the game, scoring Jesus Guzman, who walked. Jason Bartlett lofted a sacrifice fly to right to bring the Padres within one.

Former Rockies closer Huston Street gave up a pair of inherited runs in the eighth, when Cuddyer doubled one home and Rosario capped the scoring with a shallow sacrifice fly as the 38-year-old Todd Helton hustled for home and scored on a close play at the plate.

Moyer lasted seven innings before giving way to fireballer Rex Brothers, whose fastball was nearly 20 mph faster than Moyer's upper-70s heater.

The Padres made a last stand on the strength of Nick Hundley's first homer, a solo shot into the right-field bullpen to bring San Diego within two. Chris Denorfia and Parrino followed with back-to-back singles to bring the go-ahead run to the plate against closer Rafael Betancourt.

"Nick got started with a home run, and that got the momentum a little bit in our dugout, which was good," Black said. "We put some stress on them. We fought them to the end."

Betancourt kept it together, inducing Bartlett to fly to left and striking out Yonder Alonso on a full-count changeup down the middle after feeding him cutters away.

"Betancourt made some pitches," Black said. "That was a heck of a changeup at the end against Alonso in a 3-2 count. He's a guy that's grown into that role as a closer. Good mix of pitches. Used to be just fastball primarily, and now he whips in the breaking ball and he's got the good change, so he's got three pitches you have to contend with. I like the fact that we got him, we had some good swings against him, but it just didn't happen for us tonight."

For the Rockies, it was in with the old as Moyer made history on the two-year anniversary of Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter. Moyer is 49 years and 150 days old, making him 80 days older than the Brooklyn Dodgers' Jack Quinn, who held the record since winning a game over the Cardinals in 1932.

"It just says something about how much he loves to compete and his willingness to work," Kotsay said of his old adversary. "At 49, to be able to go out and throw the ball and have success. He's still able to locate his pitches and keep big league hitters off balance. He did that tonight."

3 Richard, Nicasio square off in Padres-Rox finale Young hurlers struggling early on with consistency

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | 4/18/2012 12:03 AM ET

Juan Nicasio won't be breaking any "oldest pitcher ever" records like his teammate Jamie Moyer did Tuesday night.

But the 25-year-old righty is at least hoping he can build off Moyer's solid effort to give the Rockies their second straight series victory when they host the Padres on Wednesday.

Nicasio gets the ball against San Diego lefty Clayton Richard, making his first start of the season against someone other than the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In his last appearance, Richard worked two perfect innings before two dreadful innings, in which he allowed eight runs. Four of the runs were unearned, but he still surrendered four walks and six hits, including a homer to the Dodgers' Matt Kemp.

He was able to last six innings, but it was a poor outing after he shut out the Dodgers through seven innings on April 8 for San Diego's first win of the season.

Richard will be aided by a steadily improving offense that has now scored 14 runs in three games after scoring just one run apiece in three of the previous four games. Chase Headley pinpointed the reason why.

"We got a little confidence back," the Padres' third baseman said. "We were kind of scuffling a little bit there. I don't know if we were letting it affect our confidence, the early struggles, but we got back to believing what we could do."

But for the Padres to be successful on Wednesday, it may depend on which Nicasio they face. The phrase "night and day" describes Nicasio's first two outings well enough.

The hard-throwing righty held Houston to one run in seven innings his first time out, but was roughed up by the D-backs at Coors Field over the weekend. He didn't make it out of the third inning on Friday, when he allowed five hits and five walks that resulted in six runs.

Strangely enough, he didn't get the decision in either contest, as the bullpen cost Colorado the game his first time out and then saved the Rockies against Arizona.

Padres: Kotsay returns to two-hit night • Outfielder Mark Kotsay returned from the disabled list Tuesday and had two hits off Rockies starter Jamie Moyer.

Neither ball was hit hard, but after missing the first two weeks with a right calf strain, Kotsay is happy to be off to a solid start. He is now hitting .583 against Moyer, the best average for anyone with at least 30 at-bats against the 49-year-old lefty.

"We have a history together," Kotsay said. "Our history goes back. We haven't seen each other probably since 2006. There's no explanation [for my success off him]."

4 • Wednesday's game will be the last of 13 straight National League West games for the Padres to start the 2012 season. They play host to the Phillies for a four-game set starting on Thursday.

• Entering Tuesday's game, Padres hitters were tied for first in the Majors in walks with 50 and led the league in strikeouts with 97. They did neither very often on Tuesday, though as they managed three walks, while striking out three times as well.

Rockies: Escalona recalled, Chatwood sent down • Before Tuesday's game, the Rockies recalled righty reliever Edgmer Escalona and optioned Tyler Chatwood to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The plan is for the 22-year-old Chatwood, the youngest player on the season-opening roster, to get work as a starter. He struggled early this season out of the 'pen, posting a 5.63 ERA in four appearances.

In 19 career Major League games that have totaled 31 2/3 innings for Escalona, he has posted a 1.71 ERA with 11 walks and 16 strikeouts.

• Carlos Gonzalez returned to the lineup for the Rockies on Tuesday after strep throat had kept him out of games since Friday. He went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks.

Worth noting • Richard's numbers are miserable at Coors Field. In four starts, he is winless and has an ERA of 7.89, allowing 31 hits in 21 2/3 innings.

• The Rockies' win Tuesday snapped a streak of five straight losses to the Padres, including four in a row at Coors Field. In their final meeting in 2011, San Diego swept Colorado in Denver in late September with both teams out of the playoff picture.

5 Hits starting to fall for Hundley

By Owen Perkins / MLB.com

DENVER -- The Padres' offensive breakout in Monday's series opener against the Rockies reflected Nick Hundley's own emergence from a slump that saw him go 0-for-21 before taking off on his 4-for-7 tear over the last two games. He was the last Major Leaguer with 25 or more plate appearances to record a hit when he recorded an infield single in the second inning of Sunday's game in Los Angeles.

Hundley had a strong Spring Training, hitting .432 (16-for-37) in the Cactus League, and after hitting .288 in 82 games for the Padres in 2011, he knew it was just a matter of time before he found his groove again.

"Early on, obviously, coming out of the spring that I did have, it wasn't how I envisioned the first week of the season to go, but you grind through those bumps in the road," Hundley said. "It's not like I was going to be perfect."

Hundley credited Mark Kotsay's return from the disabled list Monday with helping awaken the Friars' offense. Kotsay advised the hitters to "get back to our confident swings ... don't panic," and the advice seemed to help Hundley along with the entire lineup, which knocked a season-high 14 hits.

"I've done the same thing every single day, no matter if I'm going good or going bad," Hundley said. "It's something that a lot of veteran guys that I've played with have taught me. Just keep going. I'm not here to switch it up. I'm not here to totally change what I'm doing. I'm here to keep grinding, and whether it's good or bad, I'm going to be the same guy every single day."

After Hundley's 3-for-5 Monday when he matched a career-high three RBIs, the Padres will be happy to see that guy in the lineup every day.

No structural damage in Kelly's elbow

DENVER -- The Padres got good news Tuesday about their No. 2 prospect, right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly, who was scratched from a Monday start with soreness in his right elbow. Kelly left Triple-A Tucson to get an MRI and to be examined by team doctors in San Diego.

"Dr. [Heinz] Hoenecke [head team physician] informed us that there was no structural damage," manager Bud Black said before Tuesday's game with the Rockies. "He's got some inflammation around the elbow. We're going to go with a cautious conservative approach here in the next two to three weeks to let the elbow calm down. Hopefully, from there he'll be feeling much better, get back on the horse, start throwing, and get him to a progression where he gets back into games."

Black confirmed that Kelly will not throw in that initial period. Kelly will rehabilitate at the Padres' Spring Training facility in Peoria, Ariz.

Kelly was Boston's first-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, and came to San Diego in December of 2010 as part of the Adrian Gonzalez trade. He's 21-16 in 67 Minor League starts, and has a 2.25 ERA in two starts for Tucson this year after going 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in the Cactus League. He pitched in six games and made two starts during Spring Training, throwing 20 2/3 innings while allowing two walks and striking out 18.

6 "He had such a great Spring Training," Black said. "He went at it pretty hard in Spring Training, and he's going at it hard now. This could be a little bit of a blessing that he has to take a step back and rest a bit."

Kelly has no walks in 12 innings over two starts, allowing a total of 12 hits and 14 strikeouts. In his second Triple-A start Wednesday, Kelly pitched six shutout innings of five-hit ball, striking out nine and walking none.

"Casey wants to be a Major League pitcher," Black said. "From that standpoint, it's a bummer for him. There's hard times when you get nicked up and banged up and you have to go to the sidelines and regroup, and that's where Casey is."

Kotsay, Moyer face off one more time

DENVER -- Tuesday's tilt between the Padres and Rockies featured a pair of veterans with a fair amount of familiarity with each other. San Diego's Mark Kotsay, 36, got his first start of the season after coming off the disabled list with a right calf strain, and faced 49-year-old southpaw Jamie Moyer.

"We have a history together," Kotsay said. "Our history goes back. We haven't seen each other probably since 2006. There's no explanation [for my success off him]."

To say that Kotsay has "history" with Moyer is like saying the Harlem Globetrotters have history with the Washington Generals. Kotsay has owned Moyer over the course of their careers, and his .583 (21-for-36) career average against the left-hander is the highest of anyone who's faced Moyer at least 30 times. The players trailing Kotsay give an indication of Moyer's longevity, with Mookie Wilson (.438), Nomar Garciaparra (.417), Andres Galarraga (.415), Tim Raines (.395) and Bernie Williams (.391) among the contenders.

"Lifetime numbers make sense," manager Bud Black said before Kotsay went 2-for-3 against the lefty from the two-hole in Tuesday's lineup. "His last at-bat against him was a number of years ago, but still there's a history. And you know what? Both guys know it. That lends our guy a great deal of confidence. I know from the other side, Jamie knows it, too."

Moyer is the second oldest pitcher to start a Major League game, behind 59-year-old Satchell Paige in 1965, and with a career 268-206 record following the Rockies' 5-3 win, he's the oldest pitcher to win a Major League game.

"I knew [Moyer] at a point in his career when a lot of people were writing him off," Black said. "It almost seems like 20 years later, he's as good as he ever was.

"When a guy like Jamie Moyer walks through the clubhouse doors, the other guys notice and they feel better about their team because of what he represents in this game and his work ethic and everything that goes along with being a guy who's been able to pitch as long as he has."

Kotsay serves as a worthy adversary, and he made an impact his first day back Monday, despite not getting in the game. He spoke up at a hitters meeting and encouraged the players to relax at the plate and reclaim their swagger.

"Kots is very vocal in and around the dugout and in the clubhouse," Black said. "He's another coach on the field basically. He sends messages to players on a regular basis that put an exclamation mark on some

7 of the things we say as coaches. He does a great job on a couple different fronts of keeping guys loose, but keeping guys focused. And he does it from a teammate perspective, which I think is always good."

Stauffer looks to return in early May

DENVER -- Right-hander Tim Stauffer began his road to recovery Tuesday and could be back with the Padres by the first weekend in May. Stauffer went on the disabled list on Opening Day, and although he has played some light catch, he had his first session on the mound on Tuesday.

"Stauff threw today in San Diego," manager Bud Black said before Tuesday's game with the Rockies. "He stretched it out. He threw a little bit of a bullpen today. He's going to throw another one this weekend."

Black confirmed that Stauffer would need to go through a Minor League rehabilitation assignment before rejoining the club, and given the time needed to build back his arm strength, the best-case scenario for his return is the weekend series with the Marlins on May 4-6.

Stauffer was 9-12 with a 3.73 ERA in 31 starts for the Padres last season.

8 Ageless Moyer sets record against Padres

By Bill Center

Originally published April 17, 2012 at 8:10 p.m., updated April 17, 2012 at 9:35 p.m.

DENVER — Jamie Moyer made baseball history at the Padres expense Tuesday night.

The 49-year-old left-hander became the oldest pitcher in major league history to win a game when the Rockies defeated the Padres 5-3 before 24,525 at Coors Field.

Moyer, who was born on Nov. 18, 1962, held the Padres to two unearned runs on six hits over seven innings. He issued two walks and struck out one. The Rockies turned three double plays behind Moyer and a total of four in the game.

The Padres had the winning runs on base with one out in the ninth after Nick Hundley hit his first homer of the season.

But after Chris Denorfia got his fourth single of the game and Andy Parrino singled, Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt got Jason Bartlett on a drive to left that was held up by a stiff wind then struck Yonder Alonso out on a full-count changeup to end the game.

“We put some stress on them,” said Padres manager Bud Black, who praised Moyer for his effort.

“That win is a tribute to Jamie,” said Black of the pitcher who launched his career in 1986 and returned this spring after missing all of 2011 following elbow reconstruction surgery.

“I’ve seen him pitch a lot. His ball still has action down in the strike zone, changeup down and away, cutter inside. He pitched well.”

Moyer is a day shy of being 49 years and five months old. The oldest previous pitcher to win a game was Jack Quinn, who was 49 years and 70 days old when he won his final game on Sept. 13, 1932, for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

“I really didn’t put a lot of thought into what I thought it would be if it happened,” Moyer said of the record.

Instead, Moyer talked about the long battle he’s had with Mark Kotsay, who started in left Tuesday night just one day after coming off the disabled list.

Kotsay went 2-for-3 against Moyer, but also grounded into a double play. Over the course of his career, Kotsay is 21-for-36 (.583 average) against Moyer.

“We have a lot of history,” said Kotsay. “He and I, it’s been a fun time. When I do something, he comes back at me and I get right back at him. He loves to compete.”

Unfortunately, Kotsay also dropped a wind-blown ball in left in the bottom of the eighth that led to Colorado’s final two runs.

9 “I broke back when the wind was really blowing in and held the ball up,” said Kotsay. “When I got there, the ball came straight down and off my glove and gave them some momentum.”

Anthony Bass took the loss for the Padres.

Making his second start of the season, Bass gave up a two-run homer to Dexter Fowler on a high changeup in the third and a run-scoring double by catcher Wilin Rosario in the fourth.

“I didn’t execute a pitch to Fowler and it cost me,” said Bass. “I wanted it down. If I execute that pitcjh, it’s a different game. One pitch.”

Bass said he had both his changeup and slider working.

“Anthony threw the ball well,” said Black. “I thought his stuff was good, his velocity was good and his slider was sharp. But he’s still got to work on pitch efficiency.”

Once again, it took Bass 91 pitches to negotiate five innings. In his first start, he needed 88 pitches to go 4 1/3 innings.

“He has to continue to work on being more efficient,” said Black. “He knows that. That’s his challenge. He’s taking to instruction.”

10 On-Deck Wednesday: Richard seeks win in Colorado

By Bill Center

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

DENVER — PADRES at ROCKIES

Time: 5:40 p.m. / Game 3 of 3

TV: Fox San Diego

Radio: 1090-AM, 1700-AM; 860-AM (Spanish)

PROBABLE PITCHERS

Padres LHP Clayton Richard (1-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. RHP Juan Nicasio (0-0, 6.52 ERA)

Today’s Matchup

Nicasio, 25, is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two previous starts against the Padres. Both those starts were last season. He has 19 strikeouts against three walks in 13 innings against the Padres. Nicasio is 4-1 with a 3.09 ERA in nine previous starts at Coors Field, although he allowed six runs on five hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings of his only home start this season. That game marked the first time in 15 major league starts that Nicasio walked more than three hitters in a game.

Richard, 28, is 1-3 lifetime against the Rockies with a 5.05 ERA in nine starts. He is 0-2 with a 7.89 ERA in four starts at Coors Field. Both his starts this season have come against the Dodgers. Richard has given up 10 runs in 13 innings, although only four have been earned.

Looking Ahead

Thursday

Home: 7:05 p.m. TV:FSSD

Phillies RHP Vance Worley (0-1, 3.75 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Joe Wieland (0-1, 10.80 ERA)

Friday

Home: 7:05 p.m. TV:FSSD

Phillies LHP Cole Hamels (1-1, 3.65 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Edinson Volquez (0-1, 4.24 ERA)

Saturday

Home: 5:35 p.m. TV:FSSD

Phillies RHP Roy Halladay (3-0, 1.17 ERA) vs. Padres LHP Cory Luebke (1-1, 3.71 ERA)

11 Hudson needs to improve to save job

By Bill Center

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

DENVER — Changes could be brewing for the Padres.

Utility infielder Andy Parrino made a third straight start Tuesday night and a second straight start at second triggering speculation that the Padres might be willing to release Orlando Hudson if the veteran second baseman doesn’t improve his play over the next two weeks.

Releasing Hudson would be an expensive proposition for the Padres. He is making $5.25 million this season with a $2 million buyout against an $8 million contract for 2013. The $7.25 million is guaranteed.

But Hudson is off to a 4-for-35 start with the bat this season and missed time during spring training with a groin injury.

The 34-year-old second baseman was limited to 119 games last year due to two trips to the disabled list with a right hamstring strain (May 4-19) and left groin strain (May 27-June 19).

He hit a career low .246 with a .329 on-base percentage and had 27 extra-base hits (including seven homers) and 43 RBI. He did steal a career-high 19 bases.

In addition to being off to a slow start offensively, Hudson’s range and play in the field has slipped. For example, the Dodgers scored two runs on a grounder to Hudson last Saturday night as he first circled to get to the ball then made a weak throw to first.

Hudson’s future could be determined by the health of infielders Logan Forsythe and Everth Cabrera as well as the play of Parrino.

Forsythe, 25, hit .213 in 62 games for the Padres last season and went into spring training vying for a roster spot with the Padres. But he had surgery on March 8 to remove the fractured sesamoid bone from his left foot. However, Forsythe is starting to swing and throw and could be two weeks away from joining Triple-A Tucson.

Cabrera, 25, who lost the utility infield job to Parrino at the end of spring training, got off to a slow start with Tucson due to a sore back. But his average is up to .267 and he has three steals in seven games.

The Padres are hoping Hudson turns it around. But he probably needs to be hitting around .250 and showing improvement in his overall game to save his job.

The Padres could have another issue when left fielder Carlos Quentin is ready to come off the disabled list. Jeremy Hermida would be the logical choice to go, the the left-handed hitting outfielder has looked sharp and hit in the cleanup slot Monday in Colorado.

Good news on Kelly

12 The MRI taken Tuesday in San Diego on the right elbow of right-handed starting pitcher Casey Kelly showed no structural damage.

Padre team physician Dr. Heinz Hoenecke told the Padres there was inflammation in the elbow, which matched an earlier diagnosis.

Padres manager Bud Black said Kelly, who had a 2.25 earned run average in his first two starts for Triple- A Tucson, will shut down for two or three weeks before he resumes throwing. He is expected to miss at least a month.

Notable

--Bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds did not make the road trip. His duties have been split between pitching coach Darren Balsley and bullpen catcher Justin Hatcher, who has worked alongside Akerfelds in the Padres bullpen for five-plus seasons.

--The Padres will have the seventh, 33rd (compensation for Heath Bell), 42nd (for Aaron Harang), 55th (for not signing catcher Brett Austin last draft), 61st (regular second-round pick), and 63rd (for Bell) in the amateur draft on June 4.

--Right-handed starter Tim Stauffer (triceps strain) played catch at Petco Park Tuesday and will throw a regular bullpen session over the weekend. Black said Stauffer will have to make a couple rehab starts and is at least 2 ½ weeks from rejoining the Padres rotation.

--A day after coming off the disabled list, Mark Kotsay started in left Tuesday night. Kotsay has a lifetime average of .576 (19-for-33 with five doubles, a triple and a homer) against 49-year-old Rockies starter Jamie Moyer – even though both are left-handed.

13 Daily Update: Denorfia's bat is hot

By Bill Center

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

DENVER — Outfielder Chris Denorfia had the fourth, four-hit game of his career Tuesday night in Denver.

Denorfia has 12 games of three-plus hits in his career and all but two of those have come on the road.

Denorfia is 6-for-7 in his last two starts with two doubles, a walk and an RBI.

He is 9-for-22 on the season with three doubles and a homer for a .409 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage and a .682 slugging percentage.

The Daily Five (Notes, Stats and Numbers)

--CF Cameron Maybin failed to reach base Tuesday for the first time this season. But he did strike out twice and has now struck out at least once in 11 straight games. He has 17 strikeouts in 47. A 1-for-18 slump has dropped Maybin’s batting average to .170.

--RHP Anthony Bass has yet to record an out in the sixth inning in any of his five major league starts. Bass, who set a career high with seven strikeouts in Tuesday’s loss at Colorado, has thrown 179 in two starts this season, averaging 19.2 pitches per inning.

--Since starting the season 0-for-21, C Nick Hundley is 5-for-11 with a double, a homer and three RBI.

--INF Andy Parrino went 4-for-11 with two walks and a double in three straight starts (one at short and two at second).

--3B Chase Headley’s eight-game hitting streak ended Tuesday night.

14 Minors Report: Lake Elsinore gets second straight shutout

By Bill Center

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Right-handed starter Matthew Jackson and two relievers Tuesday night gave Single-A Lake Elsinore (5-7) a second straight shutout win at Stockton.

Jackson (2-1, 1.59 ERA) gave up seven hits over six innings. He didn’t walk a hitter while striking out eight. Right-handed reliever Ryan Quigley struck out two in two hitless innings and right-hander Kevin Quackenbush gave up two hits and a walk while striking out two in the ninth.

Right fielder Luis Domoromo and shortstop Bryan Altman supplied all the offense in the 2-0 Storm win with solo homers.

Around the Farm:

Triple-A Tucson (3-10): COLORADO SPRINGS 8, Tucson 1 – Right-handed starter Josh Geer (1-2, 5.40 ERA) allowed seven runs on eight hits in five innings for the struggling T-Padres. He walked two and struck out five. RHP Cory Burns struck out three in two perfect innings. SS Everth Cabrera, RF Sawyer Carroll and INF Anthony Contreras were all 2-for-4 while CF Blake Tekotte hit in an 11th straight game.

Double-A San Antonio (4-7): NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 9, San Antonio 5 – Right-handed starter Keyvius Sampson (3.07 ERA) allowed three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three. 1B Nate Freiman (.310) was 2-for-5 with his fifth homer of the season. CF Reymond Fuentes was 2-for-5 with a triple and a RBI.

Single-A Fort Wayne (4-8): FORT WAYNE 4, Dayton 1 – DH Zach Kometani hit a three-run homer and 2B Justin Miller was 3-for-4 with a double, triple and RBI. Starting RHP Adys Portillo (0.59 ERA) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out nine in 4 2/3 scoreless innings before he left the game with leg cramps. RHP Colin Rea allowed one hit and two walks while striking out two in two scoreless innings. RHP Matthew Stites got the win, striking out two in a scoreless inning.

15 Cable impasse, lots of losing will be test for Friars’ faithful

By Tim Sullivan

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Don Rediker is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is, however, willing to relocate.

He is a Padres fan consigned to “Time Warner hell,” unable to watch his favorite team on television and unsure if his apartment on El Camino Real can accommodate a satellite dish.

“I have an East-facing backyard,” Rediker said Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t know if (a dish) is even a possibility. My current plan is I’m going to give Time Warner till the end of April and then call DirecTV. My next option is my lease is up in August.”

Greater love hath no fan than to move his stuff to watch his team, but Rediker and his wife, Gloria, are already studying zip code maps in search of a more suitable spot to follow the Friars.

The 57-year-old tubing manufacturing manager is like a lot of consumers caught in the crossfire between Fox Sports San Diego and local providers who have balked at its pricing. Except, of course, that if there were a lot more consumers like Don Rediker, a deal probably would have been done by now.

Padre Nation is more than a splinter group but less than a voting bloc, and its efforts at mobilizing have thus far suggested Yonder Alonso trying to leg out a one-hopper to second base through one-legged hopping. Twelve games into the 2012 season, the last-place Padres are 3-9 and remain unavailable to the estimated 42 percent of San Diego County households served by Time Warner Cable, AT&T U-Verse and Dish Network.

Worse, the longer the impasse, the more aggravation turns to apathy.

“I’ve come to the point where I’m not missing watching them,” said Earl Lemon, a Rancho San Diego retiree. “If they put them back on and add it to a package that’s going to cost another $10 a month, I don’t think I’ll subscribe.

“I have baseball to watch every day if I want to. You start following other teams. I started watching the (Texas) Rangers and the (Detroit) Tigers. And, of course, Vin Scully (and the Dodgers).”

In the interests of full disclosure, I subscribe to DirecTV, depend on the Padres to drive readers toward my column, and own 108 shares of Time Warner Cable stock. Ideally, I’d like the Padres to reach the broadest possible audience without disturbing my dividends.

But while the explosive growth of regional sports networks has caused major-league clubs to appreciate in value, it has also made access to their live broadcasts significantly more expensive. If it is to recoup an investment in the Padres that could bring the ballclub a billion dollars over 20 years, Fox Sports must persuade providers to pass on significantly higher prices to consumers.

Though Cox Cable and DirecTV have agreed to carry the Padres, Time Warner claims Fox’ demands represent a 400 percent increase over the club’s 2011 pricing and reports “not much progress” toward an

16 agreement. Time Warner took a similarly hard line with Madison Square Garden Network before politicians pounced on the Jeremy Lin phenomenon, ratings jumped, and a settlement was reached.

Impetus toward a resolution in San Diego, however, is practically invisible. Time Warner spokeswoman Maureen Huff declined to speak in specifics, but described her company’s total of defecting customers as “insignificant.” Fox spokesman Chris Bellitti said Tuesday he “had no progress to report” regarding either Time Warner or AT&T U-Verse, but called discussions with Dish Network “a little more active.” Darren Pudgil, spokesman for San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, did not return a call concerning the possibilities of political influence.

At this plodding rate, then, it’s even money as to whether a compromise can be reached before the Padres are eliminated in the National League West.

“We haven’t made a decision,” said Eddie Guevarra, an AT&T U-Verse subscriber in Scripps Ranch. “(But) With the way the Padres are playing, it’s almost like if I were to get DirecTV and they continue to play bad, do I want to continue to watch them? It’s almost like a blessing in disguise.”

Lonnie Brownell, a software specialist from Encinitas, and Nathan Zack, a Padres’ fan in Yuma, were prompted to join DirecTV in recent weeks by their allegiance to the Padres. Brian Hickson, an engineer from 4S Ranch, says he’s willing to wait until June before abandoning Time Warner for Cox Cable.

Don Rediker is writing letters and making calls, urging a greater sense of urgency, trying to stir community sentiment to “hold Time Warner’s feet to the fire.” His regard for the Padres transcends both their record and his residence.

“If they’re on, we’re watching,” he said. “As I mentioned to my stepdaughter, I still want it to be my option to turn the channel.”

17 Rockies' Moyer becomes oldest pitcher to win game in majors

By PAT GRAHAM Associated Press | Posted: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:45 pm

DENVER — No one hits Jamie Moyer better than Mark Kotsay.

He did so again on Tuesday night, only this time it wasn't enough as Moyer became the oldest pitcher to win a major league game in the Colorado Rockies' 5-3 victory over the Padres.

Kotsay, in his first game since recovering from a right calf strain and being reinstated Monday from the disabled list, had two singles off Moyer to boost his career average to .583 (21-for-36) against the 49- year-old left-hander. The two even had a good-natured exchange after Kotsay's squibber down the third base line in the sixth inning went for an infield hit.

"We've got a lot of history," said Kotsay, who was facing Moyer for the first time since June 13, 2006, when he was with the Oakland Athletics and Moyer was with Seattle. "Any time I get a hit off him, he has something to say and obviously I have something to say back.

"It's been a fun challenge between him and I for a few years. I've been fortunate, like you saw tonight. The hits weren't necessarily crushed, but they were hits. For whatever reason I just have good fortune I think."

The problem was the Padres managed only four more hits off Moyer (1-2), getting to the lefty for two runs — both unearned — in the seventh after a fielding error by Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Nick Hundley added a one-out solo home run in the ninth off Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt, who allowed singles by Andy Parrino and Jason Bartlett before getting the final two outs for his third save in as many chances.

"It says something about how much he loves to compete and his willingness to work, and at 49, to go out and throw the ball and have success," Kotsay said of Moyer."He's still able to locate his pitches and keep big league hitters off balance and he did that tonight."

Moyer went seven strong innings, with two walks and a strikeout in picking up his 268th career win, tying him with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer for 34th on the career list.

"It's a tribute to Jamie," Padres manager Bud Black said. "For a guy to persevere and to still have the talent to perform, I think it's a tremendous compliment to him."

Anthony Bass, a pitcher half Moyer's age, went five innings and gave up three runs. Bass (0-2) also had a career-high seven strikeouts.

Bass was asked afterward, half-jokingly, if he thought he would be pitching 25 years from now

"That would be nice. That would be a nice career," Bass said, smiling. He added of Moyer, "He's been in the game a long time and you can definitely tell. He's a pitcher out there and makes his pitches and gets guys out."

The Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak against the Padres with the help of Dexter Fowler, who homered off Bass in the third after Marco Scutaro hit a two-out single.

18 Wilin Rosario had an RBI double in the fourth and the Rockies added two more runs in the eighth as Michael Cuddyer doubled in a run off former Rockies closer Huston Street and Rosario added a sacrifice fly.

Padres notes

RHP Tim Stauffer (strained elbow) threw Tuesday in San Diego. He's scheduled for a bullpen session this weekend. ... Prospect RHP Casey Kelly's MRI showed no structural damage to the pitcher's elbow. The Padres will let the inflammation cool down for two weeks and Kelly will then begin a throwing program, general manager Josh Byrnes said.

19 Despite giving up another hit to Kostay, Moyer becomes oldest to get ‘W,’ Rockies beat Padres By Associated Press, Published: April 17

DENVER — No one hits Jamie Moyer better than Mark Kotsay.

He did so again on Tuesday night, only this time it wasn’t enough as Moyer became the oldest pitcher to win a major league game in the Colorado Rockies’ 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Kotsay, in his first game since recovering from a right calf strain and being reinstated Monday from the disabled list, had two singles off Moyer to boost his career average to .583 (21-for-36) against the 49- year-old left-hander. The two even had a good-natured exchange after Kotsay’s squibber down the third base line in the sixth inning went for an infield hit.

“We’ve got a lot of history,” said Kotsay, who was facing Moyer for the first time since June 13, 2006, when he was with the Oakland Athletics and Moyer was with Seattle. “Any time I get a hit off him, he has something to say and obviously I have something to say back.

“It’s been a fun challenge between him and I for a few years. I’ve been fortunate, like you saw tonight. The hits weren’t necessarily crushed, but they were hits. For whatever reason I just have good fortune I think.”

“It says something about how much he loves to compete and his willingness to work, and at 49, to go out and throw the ball and have success,” Kotsay said of Moyer.”He’s still able to locate his pitches and keep big league hitters off balance and he did that tonight.”

Moyer went seven strong innings, with two walks and a strikeout in picking up his 268th career win, tying him with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer for 34th on the career list.

“It’s a tribute to Jamie,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “For a guy to persevere and to still have the talent to perform, I think it’s a tremendous compliment to him.”

Anthony Bass, a pitcher half Moyer’s age, went five innings and gave up three runs. Bass (0-2) also had a career-high seven strikeouts.

Bass was asked afterward, half-jokingly, if he thought he would be pitching 25 years from now

“That would be nice. That would be a nice career,” Bass said, smiling. He added of Moyer, “He’s been in the game a long time and you can definitely tell. He’s a pitcher out there and makes his pitches and gets guys out.”

The Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak against the Padres with the help of Dexter Fowler, who homered off Bass in the third after Marco Scutaro hit a two-out single. 20 Wilin Rosario had an RBI double in the fourth and the Rockies added two more runs in the eighth as Michael Cuddyer doubled in a run off former Rockies closer Huston Street and Rosario added a sacrifice fly.

NOTES: Padres RHP Tim Stauffer (strained elbow) threw Tuesday in San Diego. He’s scheduled for a bullpen session this weekend. ... San Diego’s Chris Denorfia went 4-for-4 for his second straight multihit game. ... The Rockies recalled RHP Edgmer Escalona from Triple-A Colorado Springs and optioned RHP Tyler Chatwood to the Sky Sox. ... OF Carlos Gonzalez (strep throat) returned the lineup, going 0 for 2 with two walks.