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Padres Press Clips Wednesday, April 11, 2012

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Team loses to Arizona in 11, vows not to let NC Times Hayes 2 uncertainty at top affect them

Volquez froze on broken-bat single NC Times Hayes 4

Moseley to be treated for now NC Times Hayes 5

Moseley to be shut down after MRI on shoulder NC Times Hayes 6

Hard to tell, but Padres purchaser could emerge quickly UT San Diego Sullivan 8

Arizona tops Padres in the 11th UT San Diego Center 10

Moores puts Padres up for sale again UT San Diego Center 12

News not good for Moseley on latest shoulder injury UT San Diego Jenkins 15

On-Deck: Luebke faces Arizona at UT San Diego Center 17

Daily Update: Padres open season in offensive funk UT San Diego Center 18

Minors Report: C Hedges off to fast start with UT San Diego Center 19 Fort Wayne

Rain likely to end before today's Padres game UT San Diego Robbins 20

Padres need Luebke to step up vs. D-backs MLB.com Roberts 21

Padres' early-inning woes lead to loss in extras MLB.com Brock 23

Moores says Padres sale will proceed MLB.com Brock 25

Tucson Padres' Wieland gets called up Arizona Daily Star Berk 27

1

Team loses to Arizona in 11, vows not to let uncertainty at top affect them

By DAN HAYES [email protected] | Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:00 pm

SAN DIEGO ---- Padres manager Bud Black wants his players to remain focused in uncertain times.

The Padres find themselves squarely in the middle of another transitional period after Tuesday's announcement by majority owner John Moores that he has retained two investment bankers to facilitate the team's sale.

With an impending sale perhaps taking as long as a year, Black has implored his charges to control what they can with their preparation and play while dismissing the aspects they can't.

A focused attitude was evident in the clubhouse and during the Padres' game against Arizona on Tuesday night, but Chris Young hit a two- off Micah Owings in the 11th inning as the Diamondbacks won 4-2 in front of 18,652 at Petco Park.

"We're going to go through this again as an organization," Black said before the game. "I do know from a players' standpoint, or us in uniform, it won't have an effect on what we do on a daily basis. Our guys are locked into the side of it and what they have to do. Our players are aware of what is going on, but ultimately they know that their job is to play. All the other things outside of our clubhouse and what we do is really something we don't control. What we control in uniform is how we go about our daily preparation and playing. Our players are in tune with that."

The Padres who have the lowest payroll in baseball at $55.2 million, can tread fearlessly compared with when Moores put the team up for sale in December 2008 because of the franchise's stability.

Moores was in the middle of a divorce when he sold the club to Jeff Moorad in January 2009. With season tickets dropping from 15,000 to 8,400 after a 99-loss season, then-CEO Sandy Alderson was ordered to slash payroll from a franchise-record $73.6 million to $43.7 million in 2009. The reduction prompted the trade of shortstop and the decision to allow star closer Trevor Hoffman to sign as a free agent with Milwaukee.

This season, however, the Padres will see a significant increase in revenue because of the club's new partnership with Fox Sports San Diego. And with a budget already in place, the team won't have to trade players or reduce the amount allotted for signing bonuses for June's amateur draft.

"Our marching orders are to keep on marching," Padres president Tom Garfinkel said. "We have a great leadership team here. Payroll was slashed last time because revenues took a huge hit."

Padres players said their lack of concern also stems from the fact that they've been in a transition period since Moorad stepped down as CEO last month and withdrew his bid to purchase the team. Although their leadership appeared to be in flux, the Padres were able to sign outfielder Cameron Maybin, catcher Nick Hundley and starting to long-term contract extensions.

2 "Not one thing (changed)," outfielder Will Venable said. "I don't know how that stuff affects us. Even if it did, it's not something I can think about. We've got to worry about what's going on here. We've got enough things to occupy our concentration."

The Padres are probably more worried about an offense that continues to struggle with production. Though they tied Tuesday's game at 2-2 in the seventh inning on Jason Bartlett's RBI single off Arizona reliever Brad Ziegler, the Padres missed out on several key opportunities. Trevor Cahill walked six batters in his Diamondbacks debut, but the Padres managed only one run off the Vista High product.

The lack of run support led to a no-decision for Padres starter Edinson Volquez, who was sharp in his second start. In avoiding a shattered bat in the first inning, Volquez couldn't cover first base on Miguel Montero's infield hit, and it cost him. Paul Goldschmidt followed with a two-run double to left-center field.

But Volquez only got stronger, as he didn't allow another run and struck out eight batters in seven innings.

3

Volquez froze on broken-bat single

By DAN HAYES [email protected] | Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:29 pm

SAN DIEGO ---- Edinson Volquez had only one blemish on an otherwise outstanding second start on Tuesday night.

The Padres pitcher said he was frozen when Miguel Montero's bat broke into several pieces on a ground ball in the first inning with two outs.

Instead of covering first base, Volquez was late as he left the mound and couldn't get to the bag in time to retire Montero. Paul Goldschmidt took advantage of the first-and-third situation two pitches later with a two-run double to left-center field.

"It scared me," Volquez said. "I was afraid a little bit. It froze me."

Volquez spent the rest of the game freezing hitters with a nice array of offspeed pitches. Volquez said he got stronger as he continued on. He threw strikes on 66 of 110 pitches and struck out eight batters, including four of the last five hitters he faced. The right-hander allowed two earned runs and took a no-decision in a game the Padres eventually lost 4-2 in 11 innings.

"Your initial reaction is to protect yourself," Padres manager Bud Black said. "But he will probably tell you he should have (covered). ... His stuff was great."

Padres lost it early

Jesus Guzman thinks the Padres lost Tuesday's game when they couldn't convert several early chances against Vista High-product Trevor Cahill.

The Padres stranded a runner on third in the first inning when Guzman struck out and Cameron Maybin struck out with the bases loaded to end the second inning. The Padres stranded nine runners on base in the loss.

"(Cahill) made some very good pitches when he was down in the count," Guzman said. "We had the opportunities in the first two innings and we missed it.

"We lost the game in the first three innings."

4

Moseley to be treated for now

By DAN HAYES [email protected] | Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:17 pm

PADRES ----The Padres will treat right-hander pitcher and see how he responds before they elect for surgery, general manager Josh Byrnes said late Tuesday night.

An MRI performed Monday shows Moseley, who was placed on the disabled list on Sunday with a strained right shoulder, has extensive damage in his shoulder, manager Bud Black said. The MRI also showed some changes to the labrum, though Moseley said he isn't sure how significant of a difference there is.

For the time being, however, Moseley won't undergo what likely would be season-ending surgery. Moseley was 3-10 with a 3.30 ERA in 20 starts last season before he underwent season-ending surgery on his nonthrowing shoulder on Aug. 3.

"I think everybody responds differently," Moseley said. "We can give it time to calm down and then re- evaluate it. We're going to take it through the tests and see how I'm feeling."

Moseley noticed something was amiss in his shoulder when he threw a fastball to in Saturday's start and it registered at 84 mph on the radar gun. He said he's frustrated by the prospect of another season-ending injury.

"Yeah, it's not fun, man," Moseley said. "You understand it's part of this game. But as a pitcher, you think any injury to your throwing arm, you have a million questions going through your head. Elbows are one thing. Elbows are highly successful procedures. Something with the shoulder, you just don't know. But I know that yesterday I was pretty down in the dumps. Today I'm better and I'll keep getting better and attack this thing head on and try to get back however I have to."

5

Moseley to be shut down after MRI on shoulder

By DAN HAYES [email protected] | Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 9:45 pm

SAN DIEGO ---- The Padres said Tuesday that they expect Dustin Moseley's injury rehab to last longer than 15 days after an MRI showed extensive damage to the pitcher's throwing shoulder.

Moseley, who missed the end of last season because of surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a right shoulder strain. Moseley pitched five innings in his first regular-season start Saturday night, and said he could tell something was wrong when he threw an 84- mph fastball. Moseley's fastball normally averages between 88-91 mph.

"It's not going to take care of itself in the short term," Padres manager Bud Black said. "I'm not sure where it's going to lead us moving forward. He's going to be shut down for a period of time that's going to take him past the 15 days."

The Padres will treat Moseley "conservatively" to see how he responds, general manager Josh Byrnes said.

Moseley became the second Padres starting pitcher on the DL, joining (right elbow strain). Anthony Bass will start Thursday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rookie , who was pulled from a start for Triple-A Tucson after two scoreless innings Tuesday, told the Arizona Daily Star that he will make his major league debut in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

"It's frustrating for them and for us," Black said. "I'm bummed for them. They're great guys, great workers and great .

"The rotation will look a lot different than we expected."

Kotsay to Lake Elsinore

Mark Kotsay's sore calf felt so good that he ran out of the Padres' clubhouse on Tuesday.

"I'm going to do my whole routine," Kotsay said.

The veteran outfielder's routine on Wednesday includes a trip to Lake Elsinore, where Kotsay will start a rehab assignment with the Padres' Single-A affiliate, Black said.

Kotsay tested his calf Sunday and again Tuesday with good results. Kotsay, who is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, isn't expected to need a long rehab assignment.

"He's doing well," Black said. "We'll evaluate him each day, but he wouldn't need much."

6 Et cetera

OF is hitting off a tee and is "getting close" to live indoor batting practice, Padres manager Bud Black said. Quentin (knee surgery) is also performing a host of other activities. "He's progressing on time," Black said. ... RHP Tim Stauffer (right elbow strain) on Tuesday played catch for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list last Thursday.

7

Hard to tell, but Padres purchaser could emerge quickly By Tim Sullivan Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The richest man in town will pass on the Padres.

Charles Brandes, No. 331 on the Forbes’ 400, follows all of the local teams, but at a detached distance.

“Every once in a while I’ve been told to look at a franchise,” the billionaire money manager said Tuesday afternoon, “and I’ve decided about a day later not to do it.

“Basically, it’s not my area of expertise. I like to remain focused and have had some good success at remaining focused … I would not want to get distracted by doing something like that. And it can be quite distracting.”

Owning a major-league baseball team is a pricey proposition, but the investment is not merely monetary. It’s the most public of private businesses, an enterprise in which you have to answer not only to partners, but to millions of emotional stakeholders who tend to view profit as the enemy of performance.

This is not a business for everyone, and it’s not a business for very many for very long.

When John Moores confirmed his intention to sell the Padres for a second time Tuesday, he sounded like a man eager to make his exit. Now in his 18th year as the club’s controlling interest, Moores has known triumph and tumult up close and then at progressively longer range, eventually retreating to Texas in anticipation of a clean break.

Moores was ready to cash out three years ago, when he agreed to sell the club in pieces to an investment group fronted by Jeff Moorad, and he has returned to the scene with all of the enthusiasm of a man renewing his driver’s license.

“It’s difficult to think about not owning a club, but it’s time,” he said. “The average club turns over every five to six seasons. I’m clearly on the long end of ownership.”

This time, the end could come quickly. The abrupt and messy end of Moorad’s installment purchase plan has reinforced baseball’s preference for one-stop shoppers, and the pending $2 billion sale of the has stimulated a marketplace where demand invariably outstrips supply in a universe of 30 clubs.

Prospective buyers are already kicking the Padres’ tires, running the numbers and gabbing with go- betweens Steve Greenberg and John Moag.

Citing confidentiality clauses and the sensitivities of embarrassed losers, Greenberg and Moag declined to discuss potential bidders Tuesday. Still, Greenberg has a history with hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen, who lost out in the final bidding for the Dodgers, and the Padres figure to command a significantly smaller price. (The over/under here is $725 million.)

8 Two baseball sources Tuesday identified former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley as an interested party. Another baseball source believes former player agent Dennis Gilbert may get involved with the Padres once he’s recovered from losing out on the Dodgers. Bill Reik, a minority partner in the , says he is openly “interested in exploring it.”

Curiously, some of the wealthiest members of Moorad’s group have shown little interest in expanding their positions as the club has appreciated in value. Though Moorad’s inability to gain approval as the Padres’ “control person” posed an obstacle for his partners, it may also have created an attractive arbitrage opportunity.

Assuming the Moorad group retained the option to buy the 51 percent block controlled by Moores at a price set in 2009, its willingness to waive that right in the face of rising franchise prices would seem to leave a lot of money on the table. Though baseball ownership could block an attempt to “flip” a franchise for a quick score, rich men don’t get richer by forsaking their financial advantages.

Moorad continues to maintain his public silence since his March 22 resignation as the Padres’ chief executive officer. Ron Fowler, who succeeded Moorad as point man for the minority partnership, has yet to respond to numerous interview requests.

“I’m reluctant to speculate,” Moores said of the Moorad group’s position.

It’s possible that many of those with a piece of the Padres perceive a market top, and that the chance to sell in the wake of the Dodgers’ deal is more persuasive than a more protracted and potentially more lucrative transaction.

“John Moag and I have both received a number of calls,” Steve Greenberg said. “It’s way too soon to gauge the level of interest, but I will say based on what we’ve heard … it’s a very hot time for baseball.”

Whether it’s as good a time to get in as it is to get out is a different matter.

9

Arizona tops Padres in the 11th By Bill Center Originally published April 10, 2012 at 10:37 p.m., updated April 10, 2012 at 11:03 p.m.

Chris Young lined a two-run homer into the left field seats off Micah Owings in the top of the 11th Tuesday night to give the Arizona Diamondbacks a 4-2 victory over the Padres before 18,652 spectators at Petco Park.

Owings opened the 11th by hitting Gerardo Parra with a one-strike pitch – ending a streak of 14 straight Diamondbacks retired by Padres pitchers.

Young then drove Owings’ next pitch into the stands to hand the Padres their second, 11-inning loss in three games and dropping the hosts to 1-4 on the season.

The reigning West champions remain undefeated at 4-0.

The Padres rallied from a 2-0, first-inning deficit to tie the game with single runs in the third and seventh, although they finished with just six hits off six Arizona pitchers.

On the season, the Padres have just 30 hits in 48 innings and are hitting .183.

In other Padres news, Anthony Bass will likely start Thursday night's series finale against the Diamondbacks with Joe Wieland expected to be promoted from Triple-A Tucson to take Dustin Moseley's spot on the 25-man roster and make Saturday night's start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Padres starter Edinson Volquez dug himself an early hole on an unusual play that was either a mistake or self-preservation.

After giving up a game-opening single to Willie Bloomquist, Volquez retired the next two hitters bringing up Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero with a runner on second and two out in the first.

Montero’s bat exploded in four pieces as he hit a soft roller to first baseman Yonder Alonso, who was too far off the bag to make the play himself. But Volquez broke very late, possibly because the remnants of the bat were falling from the sky between the first base bag and the pitcher’s mound.

"The initial reaction is to protect yourself," said Padres manager Bud Black. "Later he said he could have gotten over to cover first."

Paul Goldschmidt then hit a drive that one-hopped the wall in left center for a two-run double.

Meanwhile, Oceanside native and Vista High grad Trevor Cahill battled himself in his Petco Park debut.

The right-hander allowed only two hits over two hits over six innings. But he issued six walks and only 50 of his 104 pitches found the strike zone.

Cahill walked the first two Padres he faced and issued five walks during his first trip through the Padres order. But the hosts were unable to take advantage of his wildness.

10 After he walked Cameron Maybin and Will Venable on 10 pitches to open the game, Cahill got Chase Headley to ground into a double play before striking out Jesus Guzman with Maybin on third.

In the second, Cahill issued passes to Nick Hundley, Jason Bartlett and Volquez to load the bases with two outs. But he froze Maybin on a 2-and-2 sinker ball for a called third strike.

"Cahill gave us some opportunities via the , but we just couldn't get the big hit," said Black.

The Padres finally got a hit and a run in the third.

With one out, the switch-hitting Headley poked an opposite-field double inside the left field foul line. He advanced to third and scored on Guzman’s grounder to third.

After Headley’s double, Cahill retired 10 of the last 12 Padres he faced.

Volquez also ended the game on a run, retiring nine of the last 11 Diamondbacks he faced with five of the outs coming on strikes. Volquez gave up only two hits over his final six innings while walking three and striking out eight.

"I thought his stuff was great," Black said of Volquez. "I saw a nice three-pitch mix."

The Padres tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh, although a poor baserunning decision by Bartlett might have cost them a bigger inning.

Hudson opened the inning against Diamondbacks reliever Brad Ziegler with a line drive to left center that skipped past center fielder Young for a triple.

Bartlett followed with a single to left center that tied the game. But the Padres shortstop was easily thrown out by Jason Kubel trying to stretch the hit into a double.

"We need to push it," said Black. "If it works, it's a great baseball play. The ball was over in the gap. It took a good throw."

Pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida walked, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error as Maybin stuck out. But the inning ended with left-hander Bryan Shaw striking out Will Venable.

Two bad at-bats cost the Padres a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth.

After Nick Hundley drew a lead-off walk, Hudson popped out on a sacrifice bunt attempt. With two out, Chris Denorfia singled Hundley to third. But Maybin took a called third strike for his third of the night.

11 Moores puts Padres up for sale again By Bill Center Originally published April 10, 2012 at 1:45 p.m., updated April 10, 2012 at 5:31 p.m.

For the second time in less than four years, John Moores has placed the Padres up for sale.

Steve Greenberg of Allen & Company and John Moag of Moag & Company have been retained to advise on the sale of the team and to work with prospective buyers, the Padres announced Tuesday.

According to Moores, Greenberg and Moag, the process could take six months to a year to complete. No potential buyers or an estimated sale price were announced.

The announcement comes weeks after a deal to sell the team to a group headed by Jeff Moorad fell apart and Moorad resigned as the club’s CEO. Tom Garfinkel, the interim CEO, said Tuesday the sale would not affect the day-to-day operations of the club.

In 2008, when Moores first announced he was selling the Padres while in the midst of a divorce from his wife of 44 years, he slashed the payroll from $74 million to $47 million over the course of one winter.

“Our marching orders are to keep marching,” Garfinkel said. “We have a great leadership team here. Payroll was slashed last time because revenues took a huge hit. We’ve increased the payroll 45 percent since 2009. With the new TV deal, it continues to grow.”

The Padres’ Opening Day payroll of just under $56 million was rated the second-smallest in baseball.

“Three years ago, I made the difficult decision to sell the club, and I didn’t expect to have to make that same decision again,” said Moores in a statement released by the team. “I have been honored to own the and have enjoyed the experience tremendously.”

Moores originally bought the team in 1994. A group headed by Moorad, a former player agent and Arizona Diamondbacks executive, agreed to purchase the team for about $500 million (including the assumption of debt) on a five-year installment plan in February 2009, which is when Moorad was installed as CEO.

But the ability of Moorad and his partners to buy out the 51 percent interest still owned by Moores and have Moorad become the Padres’ “control” person came into question at a January meeting of owners. A planned approval vote bogged down at the committee level before being dropped from the agenda. Moorad resigned as CEO last month.

The partners from Moorad’s group still own 49 percent of the club.

Moores said the entire package is up for sale, including the club’s 20 percent share of the new Fox Sports San Diego network. The 20-year deal with Fox could be worth as much as $1.2 billion to the Padres.

The market recently took a giant step forward when the Los Angeles Dodgers were sold for $2.15 billion to a group that includes Magic Johnson.

12 “I’m not an economist,” Moores said. “Obviously the market is considerably different. Everyone is aware of the Dodger transaction. And there’s a very strong media market out there today. It’s a great time to reach out and find what the market is.

“Clearly, the Dodger sale and improved media market has an effect on the value. How that shakes out beats me.”

Moores said he was “under no pressure to sell” and said the decision was made after he met last week with the limited partners.

“What I did was meet with the limited partner group right before the opening game,” Moores said. “I found out what they wanted to do. Ron Fowler as member of the executive committee will be sitting with me and the bankers.

“No decision was made until I talked with the limited partners. The sense of the limited partners is that it was time to sell.

“There is no right of first refusal. I would have to speculate about why the limited partner group did what they did. I’ve still not met every partner. A lot live out of town.

“I anticipate selling the club. Some of the limited partners may or may not choose to retain their ownership or form a new partnership.”

When Moores sold the Padres to the Moorad group, the “layaway” deal was to close no later than February 2014, although Moorad had the opportunity to complete the purchase sooner if he wished.

Moores said he never spoke to anyone except Moorad on why Moorad encountered opposition from other owners. “I never had a conversation with anyone but Jeff about that,” said Moores. “It was unfolding real time to me.”

But Moores did question his decision to sell the club to Moorad on an installment plan.

“I don’t think I can give you a good answer,” Moores said when asked about the propriety of the installment sale to Moorad’s group. “The market three years ago was very different.”

Moores said he has heard no names regarding who might be interested in buying the Padres. He said he has not talked to Greenberg, who is the son of Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg, or Moag about possible or potential owners.

Greenberg said his policy is to not identify or discuss potential buyers or estimate a value.

“We discuss it but won’t talk (publicly) about (the value),” Greenberg said. “If you asked for a range in the Dodger process, no one would have gotten $2.15 billion. We do think about reasonable ranges of value. The market will speak for itself in six months to a year.”

Moag said he and Greenberg have already received “a number of calls” regarding the Padres.

13 “It’s way too soon to gauge the level of interest,” Moag said. “It’s a very hot time for baseball. It’s more than just the Dodgers. The Cubs, even the Mets’ minority stake ... baseball is on an uptick, which is borne out by all recent sales.”

Moag and Greenberg have worked together on past deals, including the sale of the . Moag said he has a “long-term relationship” with Moores and had been involved with him when the Padres owner explored the purchase of an NBA team.

Of the Padres’ ownership situation over the past three months, Moores said: “I don’t know if I’ve handled it particularly well.”

14 News not good for Moseley on latest shoulder injury By Chris Jenkins Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Dustin Moseley didn’t need another look at the scoreboard. Just the look on manager Bud Black’s face said all anybody needed to know.

Moseley is expected to be sidelined well after his stint on the 15-day disabled list, given the condition that was reflected in an MRI on his pitching shoulder Tuesday. Moseley said the exam revealed "more than just fraying of the labrum" that will be assessed further in the next couple days.

“Right now, this doesn’t look like something that’s going to take care of itself,” said Black. “The results came back from the MRI that showed some extensive damage to the shoulder. We’re not sure where this is going to lead us as we move forward, but he’s going to be shut down for a period of time that’s going to take him well past the 15 days.”

Moseley, whose 2011 season was a interrupted and finally ended by dislocations of his non-throwing shoulder, daid he had been feeling twinges of discomfort in the area under his right armpit as he threw in the days leading up to his first start of the season on Saturday. The pain returned during his five-inning stint against L.A., and when he saw one of his fastballs to Matt Kemp register as an 84 mile-per-hour , he knew he had a problem.

As it was, the Padres began the season with fellow starter Tim Stauffer on the DL with an arm issue. Stauffer was back to playing catch before Tuesday’s game.

“It’s frustrating for them and for us,” said Black. “These guys are at a point where they’d solidified themselves as starting pitchers, major league starting pitchers. I’m bummed for ‘em, I really am. These are great guys. I’m saddened. But the game goes on and we’ll make our adjustments. The rotation’s going to look a lot different than it did 10 days ago.”

Black reiterated that Moseley’s next scheduled start will be taken Thursday by rookie right-hander Anthony Bass, who vied throughout Cactus League play with Moseley and Micah Owings for a rotation spot. Black didn’t reveal who’d be pitching Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine, but indications are that either Casey Kelly or Joe Wieland would be summoned from AAA Tucson to make his major league debut.

On the mend

Mark Kotsay, who’s been out of commission since the last few days of spring training with a calf strain, is expected to begin a rehab assignment with the on Wednesday. The veteran outfielder, who’ll also back up at first base, took part in batting practice Tuesday.

“We’ll evaluate each day as we go with Kots,” said Black, “but he’s doing well.”

Recovering from surgery on his right knee, outfielder Carlos Quentin has intensified his work, taking swings in the batting cage.

Bass in rotation

15 Starting a major league game will be nothing new to Bass, whose only appearance this season came in relief Saturday. Called up last June from AA, Bass made his major league debut with a start against Colorado and beat the Rockies, only to be returned immediately to San Antonio. Brought back to San Diego less than two weeks later, he stuck with the club primarily as a reliever, but he also made two other starts and finished with a 1.68 .

The bounce between the rotation and the bullpen, he said, were good preparation for his role on the Opening Day roster.

“They’re two different mind-sets,” said Bass, 24. “What I learned from last year was, have a good plan for whatever you’re doing. You come out of the bullpen attacking. Starting, you’re setting up hitters. Either way, I’m an aggressive pitcher. I like to come at guys. don’t like to throw too many pitches. I’m trying to let guys to get themselves out, have them hit to my defense and have them make plays. That’s going to get me late into games.”

Crowded house ... not!

Based on the first weekend, the Dodgers at Petco Park could be a negative indicator for the rest of the season.

The four-game series for the Dodgers drew 126,361 – 42,941 on Opening Day, 32,490 on Friday night, 31,909 on Saturday and 19,021 on Easter Sunday.

In 2009, the Padres also opened the season with four home games against the Dodgers. That series drew 126,941 – or 580 more than this year’s four-game set – and one of those games in 2009 was threatened by rain.

The Padres final attendance figure in 2009 was 1,922,603 for the season – the only time the Padres have been under two million in total attendance since the strike-shortened season of 1995.

The Tuesday night crowd for the opener of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks was announced at 18,652.

16 On-Deck: Luebke faces Arizona at Petco Park By Bill Center Tuesday, April 10, 2012

DIAMONDBACKS at PADRES

Time: 3:35 p.m. / Game 2 of 3

TV: Fox San Diego

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

PROBABLE PITCHERS

Diamondbacks LHP Joe Saunders vs. Padres LHP Cory Luebke (0-1, 9.64 ERA).

Today’s Matchup

Saunders, 30, was 3-0 with a 0.36 ERA in his last three starts against the Padres last season. Overall in 2011, he was 3-1 against the Padres in 2011 with a 1.47 ERA and is 5-3 lifetime against the Padres with a 3.00 ERA in eight starts. Since 2008, Saunders is tied for fourth among major league left-handers with 54 wins. He was 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA in 33 starts for the Diamondbacks last season. He set a career-high with 212 innings and tied his personal best with 33 starts. Saunders is 2-2 lifetime at Petco Park with a 3.58 ERA in four starts.

Luebke, 27, is among the few pitchers who have better numbers on the road (3-5 career, 2.87 ERA , .207 opponents’ batting average in 24 games, 10 starts) than at Petco Park (4-7, 4.15 ERA, .233 OBA in 27 games, 11 starts). Luebke started the season’s second game and allowed a career-worst-equaling six runs (five earned) on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Luebke is 0-3 in his short career against Arizona with a 5.50 ERA in five games (three starts).

Looking Ahead

Thursday

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

Diamondbacks RHP Ian Kennedy (1-0, 4.05 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Anthony Bass (0-1, 2.25 ERA).

Friday

Away: 7:10 p.m. TV:FSSD

Padres LHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Dodgers TBA.

17

Daily Update: Padres open season in offensive funk By Bill Center Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Through the first five games of the season, the Padres offense has been pathetic.

The only area where the Padres excel is in drawing walks. They have collected a major league-leading 30.

But they have only 30 hits in the season’s first 48 innings and are hitting .183 as a team. They had 47 in164 at-bats.

Only three of the eight regular position players were hitting over .200 after Tuesday night’s 4-2, 11-inning loss to Arizona at Petco Park.

Catcher Nick Hundley has yet to collect his first hit after 13 at-bats. Chase Headley is hitting .118, Orlando Hudson .125, Fernando Alonso .176 and Jesus Guzman .190.

The Padres hitting leader is Cameron Maybin with a .238 average. He is the only Padre to reach base in all five games, although he has 10 strikeouts in 21 at-bats. Jason Bartlett is hitting .222 and Will Venable .214.

The Padres have scored 18 runs in five games.

The Daily Five (Notes, Stats and Numbers)

--RHP Joe Wieland, 22, is likely being recalled from Triple-A Tucson to make Saturday night’s start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The spot is the first time that the Padres need their No. 5 starter this season. Tucson manager Terry Kennedy pulled Wieland from Tuesday night’s start after two innings and apparently told the right-hander he would be starting for the Padres Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.

--RHP Anthony Bass has been told he will start Thursday’s game against Arizona at Petco Park -- unless he is needed today in relief when the Padres (weather permitting) take on the Diamondbacks at Petco Park at 3:35 p.m. Bass will be filling the slot of RHP Dustin Moseley, who has gone on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain, although Padres sources say the injury is much more serious and could require a surgical answer.

--RHP Huston Street has pitched two perfect innings for the Padres thus far, keeping alive his streak of never having surrendered an earned run at Petco Park. He has a perfect 0.00 ERA over 13 1/3 innings, although he did allow two unearned runs.

--Chris Denorfia singled Tuesday night in his first pinch-hit appearance of the season. Denorfia is a career .309 (17-for-55) pinch-hitter. Jeremy Hermidia has pinch-hit in all five games and is 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base. He has scored two runs.

--Despite Tuesday night’s loss, the Padres are 14-6 in their last 20 games at Petco Park against Arizona.

18 Minors Report: C Hedges off to fast start with Fort Wayne By Bill Center Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Nineteen-year-old catcher Austin Hedges, the Padres second-round pick last June, was 2-for-5 Tuesday night with a double and a grand slam homer as the Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps scored a 8-1 at South Bend.

Hedges is off to a 6-for-14 start.

Left fielder , the third overall pick in the 2009 draft, was 3-for-5 with an RBI and second baseman Casey McElroy was 3-for-4 with an RBI for the 2-3 TinCaps.

Right-handed starter Cody Hebner, the Padres fourth-round pick last June, allowed only three hits and a walk over five scoreless innings while striking out five. Right-handed reliever Luis De La Cruz struck out two in two perfect innings.

Around the Farm:

Triple-A Tucson (1-5): Sacramento 18, TUCSON 6 – It all fell apart for the T-Padres after right-handed starter Joe Wieland allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four in two scoreless innings before coming out because he’s reportedly headed to San Diego to join the Padres rotation. Sacramento had 20 more hits against Tucson relievers in seven innings and scored seven runs on seven hits in 1 1/3 innings against Brian Tallet, who the Padres just acquired from Pittsburgh. CF Blake Tekotte was 3-for-4 with a double, triple and RBI. 1B Matt Clark had a homer and three RBI and RF Sawyer Carroll hit a two-run homer. 3B James Darnell, who is off to a .438 start, was 2-for-4 with a double, and DH Vincent Belnome was 2-for-4.

Double-A San Antonio (3-3): SAN ANTONIO 10, Northwest Arkansas 2 – RF Cody Decker had two homers and four RBI in three at-bats, SS Jeudy Valdez had a homer and three RBI and 1B Nate Freiman hit his third homer in six games. C Ali Solis was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Right-handed starter Juan Pablo Oramas allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out four in 4 2/3 innings. Right-handed reliever Jason Ray struck out four in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits.

Single-A Lake Elsinore (1-4): Inland Empire 7, LAKE ELSINORE 2 – LF Everett Williams was 2-for-4 with two RBI, SS Chris Bisson was 2-for-4 and CF Rico Noel was 2-for-4. Left-handed starter (0-2) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings.

19 Rain likely to end before today's Padres game By Gary Robbins Originally published April 11, 2012 at 7:59 a.m., updated April 11, 2012 at 8:03 a.m.

The tail of a weak North Pacific storm is moving across San Diego County, producing light, sporadic showers and lots of wind -- in spots. The National Weather Service says the system will largely clear to the east by this afternoon, and it doesn't appear that rain will interfere with Wednesday's game between the Padres and Diamondbacks, which begins at 3:35 p.m. at Petco Park. But sporadic showers are possible until evening. Temperatures will be in the low 60s and it'll be breezy.

The weather service says "another storm system Friday into Saturday morning will bring more rain and wind, with snow in the mountains. It will become dry and warmer early next week as high pressure builds."

Sample rainfall through 7 a.m. Wednesday: Miramar Lake, 0.24''; Encinitas, 0.24''; Poway, 0.20''; Dulzura, 0.16''; Valley Center, 0.15''; Point Loma, 0.13''; Barona, 0.12''; Mission Valley, 0.08''.

Sample of high winds: Harrison Peak, 47 mph; Cuyamaca Mountains, 40 mph; Ranchita, 30 mph; Cameron, 30 mph; Julian, 30 mph; North Island, 28 mph; San Miguel, 22 mph; Carlsbad, 22 mph; Sea World, 21 mph.

20 Padres need Luebke to step up vs. D-backs By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com | 4/11/2012 3:00 AM ET

Luebke gaining confidence with variety of pitches

With the Padres rotation in disarray less than a week into the season, Cory Luebke will look to be a stabilizing force when the team squares off against the D-backs at Petco Park on Wednesday.

The latest bullet came Tuesday, when manager Bud Black revealed that an MRI exam on the right shoulder of starter Dustin Moseley, who went on the disabled list Sunday, showed extensive damage. He joined starter Tim Stauffer, who landed on the DL April 5 with a strained right elbow.

"The rotation will look a lot different than it was supposed to 10 days ago," Black said. "... But we feel as though we have some depth."

While the team will try to fill the void of Moseley and Stauffer, it'll be up to Luebke, Edinson Volquez and Clayton Richard to pick up the slack.

To do so, Luebke will have to improve from his first start of the season, in which he allowed five earned runs on nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings for a loss to the Dodgers. The left-hander had good velocity in that April 6 start, but his secondary pitches, including his slider and changeup betrayed him.

On Wednesday, he'll be up against left-hander Joe Saunders, who will make his first start of the season.

During his first full season with Arizona in 2011, Saunders went 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA, setting a career high in and tying a career high in starts with 33.

Many of those successful starts came against San Diego, with Saunders going 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA in four starts against the Padres.

D-backs: Upton limited by sore thumb D-backs outfielder Justin Upton was held out of Tuesday's starting lineup with a sore left thumb. However, he was put into the game as a defensive substitution in the bottom of the 11th inning, playing right field. He did not bat.

Upton jammed his thumb while sliding into second base to break up a double play in the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon against the Giants. Upton hopes to be back in the starting lineup as early as Wednesday after X-rays taken were negative.

"It swelled up a little bit on me," Upton said. "It's a little sore and I went and swung and it didn't feel quite right. Obviously take a day to try to get it right. It's not too bad. It's one of those things where you'd rather be cautious early on than push it early on."

Padres: Kotsay to start rehab stint Wednesday Outfielder Mark Kotsay, on the disabled list since April 1 with a strained right calf, will start a Minor League rehab assignment on Wednesday with Class A Lake Elsinore.

Suffering the strain in a Cactus League game in Arizona on March 31, Kotsay will be able to return April 16, when the Padres open a three-game series against the Rockies on the road.

21 "We'll evaluate him each day as he goes, but he's been feeling fine," Padres manager Bud Black said.

Worth Noting • Prior to Tuesday's game against the D-backs, the Padres honored The Mission Continues, the first charity the team has highlighted this season. The Mission Continues is committed to helping post-9/11 veterans rebuild a sense of purpose at home through community service.

• Willie Bloomquist extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a first-inning single Tuesday. His career- high hitting streak is 12 games, which he accomplished from July 3-23, 2005, while with .

22 Padres' early-inning woes lead to loss in extras By Corey Brock / MLB.com | 4/11/2012 3:00 AM ET

SAN DIEGO -- The game effectively ended Tuesday when Chris Young of the D-backs hit a two-run home run in the top of the 11th inning against former teammate, Padres reliever Micah Owings.

But to hear Padres left fielder Jesus Guzman explain it, that sequence in extra innings wasn't at all the determining factor that led to the Padres' 4-2 loss to the D-backs in front of 18,652 at Petco Park.

"We lost the game in the first three innings," Guzman said, flatly.

Young's home run sent the Padres to already their fourth loss at home in five games. But where Guzman thought the game was lost was in the early part of the game when Trevor Cahill, making his Arizona debut, walked five in the first two innings.

Five walks, but no Padres runs.

"We couldn't get the hit, the big hit," said Padres manager Bud Black. "Cahill gave us the opportunity with the base on balls. But when we had some runners out there, he seemed to make a pitch."

Cahill ended up walking six in six innings but allowed one run on two hits to the Padres (1-4). Cahill left with a lead, but the Padres rallied to tie the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Orlando Hudson led off the inning with a triple off D-backs reliever Brad Ziegler and then scored when Jason Bartlett followed with an RBI single to left-center field. But Bartlett was then thrown at second when he tried to stretch his single into a double.

"He ran hard out of the box ... which is what you want him to do," Black said. "He's looking at the play right in front of him. If it works, it's a great baseball play. If it doesn't, then you're asking me questions about it."

The Padres got the leadoff runners on in the ninth inning when Nick Hundley walked. But Hudson was not able to get a bunt down in two attempts, popping up in foul territory to Ryan Roberts, the D-backs third baseman. That loomed big when, two batters later, pinch-hitter Chris Denorfia singled.

In the 11th inning, Owings hit Gerardo Parra with a pitch to start the inning. Arizona manager Kirk Gibson contemplated having Young bunt in that situation but allowed him to hit. Young then drove a first-pitch slider from Owings over the wall in left field as the D-backs (4-0) broke the tie.

"I'm glad he [Gibson] decided not to [bunt]. I mean it would have been completely fine if he had told me to," Young said. "I don't know if there's a right or wrong call. Luckily I was able to square one up and not make a fool of myself."

The loss spoiled a strong effort by Padres starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, who struck out eight and had three walks with two runs allowed two runs over seven innings. Volquez, who walked four in an Opening Day loss to the Dodgers, had better command of his in this start.

"I thought his stuff was great ... good fastball, good curveball, a nice three-pitch mix," Black said. "Seven innings and two runs? If he does that, he's going to win a few games."

23 Volquez might well have won this game had he not started slowly and had he not been nearly maimed by a broken bat by Miguel Montero in the first inning.

With two outs and a runner on first, Volquez was able to break Montero's bat on an 83 mph changeup. The ball went to first baseman Yonder Alonso but Volquez, who was trying to duck the shrapnel of the broken bat, got a late start to cover first base. Montero beat him to the bag for an infield single.

"It scared me," Volquez said of the bat. "I was afraid a little. It just froze me."

Instead of being out of the inning, Volquez had to face Paul Goldschmidt, who doubled in two runs for a 2-0 lead.

Volquez allowed two more hits over his final six innings, marking the second time in as many starts that the Padres have gotten seven innings from their starting pitcher.

"I think I got better late in the game," Volquez said.

24

Moores says Padres sale will proceed By Corey Brock / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego majority owner John Moores said Tuesday that the ownership group is moving ahead with plans to sell the franchise.

The Padres announced that Steve Greenberg of Allen & Company and John Moag of Moag & Company have been retained to advise Moores on the sale of the club and finding prospective buyers.

Greenberg and Moag have informed the club that the process could take a number of months, possibly up to a year. But Greenberg sounded optimistic Tuesday that a buyer will be found and possibly quickly.

"It's a hot time for baseball, and I would expect substantial interest in the Padres," Greenberg said during a conference call.

Moores' intention to sell the Padres comes at an opportune time. He told MLB.com last week that Major League Baseball approved a 20-year, $1.2 billion deal with FOX to establish a regional sports network in San Diego County with a $200 million up-front bonus.

Moores' 20 percent stake in the television deal, which has yet to be official announced, will be included in the purchase of the team.

Moores refused to estimate the current value of the franchise in the aftermath of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt's sale of his club and its stadium to a group headed by Mark Walter, chief executive of Guggenheim Partners, longtime sports executive and Magic Johnson for $2.15 billion.

"I noticed that for sure," Moores said. "Clearly the Dodgers sale and the current media market will have a lifting effect on the value of the club."

Moores said he wouldn't be surprised if someone in the limited partnership group, which his headed by local businessman Ron Fowler, made a run at purchasing the team. Moores met with Fowler on Opening Day, April 5, at Petco Park. The limited partners own 49 percent of the team.

"Some of the [members of the limited partnership group] may or may not choose to be a part of the new group or choose to buy it themselves," Moores said. "I wouldn't be surprised if there is interest."

In 2009, Moores sold a $100 million share of the team to Jeff Moorad, who was the lead partner of a group of investors who agreed to purchase the team for $530 million with a window of five years to complete the sale in its entirety.

Moorad and his partners sequentially made two payments and were in possession of 49 percent of the franchise.

With the urging of Moores, Moorad stepped up that process by more than two years in January. Moorad confirmed that he was poised to make an all-cash transaction and that cash and the signed documents were in escrow. But the sale hit a snag.

25 On Jan. 12, approval of Moorad's purchase was tabled as Major League owners asked for clarification on several outstanding financial issues, Commissioner said at the time.

On March 9, Moorad withdrew his application to Major League Baseball for a control transfer. On March 22, Moorad stepped down as the club's chief executive officer, though he remained vice chairman of the team. Moorad no longer has an office at Petco Park as it appears his tenure with the team is over.

How has Moores handled the roller-coaster ride of the last three-plus months?

"I don't know if I've handled it particularly well," Moores said of the recent turn of events. "... But no one should feel sorry for someone who wakes up owning a Major League club. It's been an absolute joy."

In the meantime, it's business as usual at Petco Park, said Padres president Tom Garfinkel.

"The marching orders are to keep marching," Garfinkel said. "We've got a great leadership team. There's a lot of great things happening with the Padres. We've got a process in place for decision making. John has ensured that we keep it moving forward."

The same goes for the players and manager Bud Black, who have their sights set on the D-backs, who came to Petco Park on Tuesday for the first of three games.

"I can imagine that when this [sale] does happen, the City of San Diego will be excited about this group," Black said.

26 Tucson Padres' Wieland gets called up

Daniel Berk Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:46 pm

Tucson Padres starting pitcher Joe Wieland started crying when he was taken out of Tuesday night's game by manager Terry Kennedy.

But, it's not what you think.

Wieland was pulled after two innings because he's been called up to the major leagues by San Diego and will start Saturday's game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

When Wieland walked into the dugout, manager Terry Kennedy looked at him and said "that's enough, you have to save some bullets for Dodger Stadium on Saturday."

"It took me a minute to process it and then I started crying and hugging everyone in the dugout," Wieland said smiling. "I was crying on the bench because my dream finally came true."

Kennedy said he didn't tell Wieland pregame that he was only going two innings. He wanted Wieland to be able to go out and get his work in with a clear head.

"It was double top-secret," Kennedy said.

Wieland said he's never been to Dodger Stadium before. He began calling family members after the game and said he'll have plenty of support in the crowd for his big league debut.

"I've talked to quite a few people already," Wieland said. "Everyone's excited. I'm excited."

Before he left the game, Wieland was on his game. He tossed two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and one walk. He struck out four and threw 35 pitches, 23 for strikes.

"As long as he stays aggressive and pitches like he pitches, I think he'll be fine," Kennedy said. "It's the same game. Better hitters, but the same game. He just has to go up there and be as aggressive as he always is."

27