Padres Press Clips Wednesday, September 19, 2018

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Franmil Reyes shows worth to Padres – or someone SD Union Tribune Acee 2

Giants tax Padres’ pen after Lucchesi’s exit SD Union Tribune Sanders 5

Seldom-used Kazuhisa Makita eager to regain Padres’ trust SD Union Tribune Sanders 8

Second basemen to watch in Padres’ farm system SD Union Tribune Sanders 11

Reyes continues to impress with HR, 3 RBIs MLB.com Cassavell 15

Galvis prefers shortstop but aims for versatility MLB.com Cassavell 17

Rookies to start all games in Padres’ set vs. LA MLB.com Cassavell 19

One outing doesn’t change Mitchell’s status SD Padres Center 21

Shaw’s 2-run single lifts Giants over last-place Padres, 5-4 AP AP 22

This Day in Padres History, 9/19 FriarWire Center 24

8th inning dooms Padres in 5-4 loss to Giants FOX Sports AP 25

Franmil Reyes shows worth to Padres — or someone

Kevin Acee

Franmil Reyes hasn’t made it easy on the Padres. Or maybe he has made it exceedingly easy.

It is safe to say the big rookie right fielder is the team’s biggest surprise and one of its biggest conundrums.

The 23-year-old Reyes, who wasn’t considered a top prospect and could hardly get on base his first month in the majors, entered Tuesday’s game as the Padres’ season leader in slugging percentage (.516) among those with more than 35 plate appearances and also the leader in batting average (.276) and third in on-base percentage (.332) among those with at least 175 plate appearances.

His 15 home runs rank fourth on the team, but his rate of one homer every 14.5 at- bats is best on the team.

He had just 235 plate appearances, about half as many as needed to qualify among the major league statistical leaders.

But his sample size is large enough to suggest staying power.

Reyes has batted .327/.387/.602 since Aug. 5, all of those numbers either No. 1 or No. 2 on the team in that span among players with more than 35 plate appearances. He has at least one hit in all but two of his past 24 games, and his .384 average in that span (since Aug. 21) leads the majors.

The average and on-base component would have been unfathomable in late June, at the end of Reyes’ first major-league stint, when he hit .228/.260/.457 in 29 games.

In that first stay, he struck out 39 times in 96 plate appearances and walked just four times. 2

While drastic ascension since his most recent call-up in early August is most marked, the improvement began when he joined the team for a couple weeks in the middle of July.

In his 139 plate appearances since July 11, he has struck out 30 times and walked 14 times. That’s almost halving his strikeout rate and more than doubling his walk rate.

Improving his aptitude, willingness and coachability resulted in better plate discipline and a more manageable swing.

Manager Andy Green has several times talked about Reyes as if he is some sort of baseball Rhodes Scholar. Veteran teammates have matched Reyes’ eagerness to learn from them with an eagerness to teach him.

“It’s his ability to soak in information, the questions he is asking; he’s just so open about everything,” first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “He’s telling you what he’s thinking at the plate, why he swings a certain way, why he didn’t swing. He’s so open and so willing to listen and learn and take some criticism at certain times.

“That’s one of the biggest things you can see. It’s kind of like a hidden talent. Because of his ability to take in information and put it into practice, he’s a winning player.”

That seems like it just might be true

But in addition to Hunter Renfroe having a breakout season, there is a sort of albatross that could be the deciding factor that makes Reyes the odd man out in the Padres outfield.

He’s 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, and he moves in right field like a lot of it is in his cleats.

“There is a limit to what he can do,” Green said. “… It’s a lot of ground to cover. He’s giving great effort. His routes are good, his technique is not bad at all. It’s just a lot of man out there.”

Reyes has worked before games as much as anyone on footwork, tracking fly balls and running. The improvement defensively is appreciable. 3

He gets to more balls than in May and June.

However, he remains enough of a liability that he has been part of double switches in all but a handful of games in which the Padres are tied or hold a lead sometime after the fifth or sixth inning.

“The thing about Franmil is he wants to be great,” said outfield coach Skip Schumaker. “He doesn’t want to get double switched. He knows his bat is why he’s here. … He’s losing an at-bat every night. It’s a testament to him how hard he is working, trying to get better each day.”

Said Reyes: “I would love to have more opportunities to do more things — defense and offense. It’s really important because I can find a spot to play, not just put my manager and team thinking, ‘This guy can hit, but he can’t field.’ That’s bad. You’re not a complete player that way.”

The likelihood is Reyes and Renfroe will be part of discussions with other teams as the Padres run a dual track this off-season of attempting to alleviate a 40-man roster crunch and improve their major league team and minor league system.

Reyes’ greatest value could be with an American League team that can use him as a designated hitter. But there is almost no way to predict what will come of all the trade talks the Padres anticipate being party to, and it is conceivable him and Renfroe could be Padres in 2019.

Much like its looming issue at catcher, the team contends that will be OK.

“If the bat works the way his does,” Green said, “you’re going to find a spot on the baseball field more consistently.”

Giants tax Padres' pen after

Lucchesi's exit

Jeff Sanders

In jumping from Double-A San Antonio to the majors, Joey Lucchesi counts a team- leading 131 strikeouts, eight wins and a rotation-best 3.74 ERA among his rookie highlights.

There remains room for improvement if you’re in the mood to nit-pick.

There’s also quite a bit to like even when the 25-year-old left-hander doesn’t have his “A” game.

Take, for example, Tuesday’s start in a 5-4 loss to the Giants, one charged to the bullpen after Cory Spangenberg and Freddy Galvis wound up a handful of feet shy of late home runs.

Lucchesi needed 94 pitches to get through five workman-like innings, gave up three runs on seven hits and a walk and, thanks to Franmil Reyes’ 16th homer, was in line to win until Craig Stammen coughed up two runs in the eighth.

He struck out eight batters, one shy of his season-high, and did not yield when the Giants put runners on second and third with no outs in the fifth inning.

“You want to have the dominating outings,” Padres manager Andy Green said, “but these outings when he's kind of in-between and not quite right and not quite as good as he can be, he really fights and doesn't concede anything at any point in time. We're pleased with that. We really like that about him.”

Lucchesi’s fifth-inning, tight-rope walk started with a strikeout of Evan Longoria.

Lucchesi then alertly glove-flipped to the plate to cut a runner down on Nick Hundley’s tapper to the mound and struck out Aramis Garcia to end the fifth, his last inning of work.

He allowed two runs on Hunter Pence’s second-inning, 437-foot homer off the back wall of the second deck in left, another on Pence’s fourth-inning double to right and exited with three or fewer runs allowed for the 20th time in 24 starts this year.

“I'm just a competitor,” Lucchesi said. “I go out there and try to give my team the best chance to win.”

Some attempts – like his three nine-strikeout games – have been better than others.

The room for improvement lies in his pitching deeper into games.

He’s averaged just over five innings a start and has yet to complete seven innings, but the Padres are plenty pleased with the former fourth-rounder’s first run through a major league season.

“We'd love at times if he'd get deeper into games, but the battle is so good with Joey,” Green said. “Even when he's off he gives you a chance to win a baseball games. What he did today is just as impressive as going out there and absolutely dominating.”

Lucchesi wound up empty-handed after a rare hiccup from Stammen, tied with Lucchesi for the team lead with eight wins.

After Matt Strahm and Jose Castillo combined for two scoreless frames, the veteran Stammen loaded the bases before recording his first out and gave up the tying and go- ahead run when Hunter Renfroe could not quite make a diving catch on Chris Shaw’s blooper to left field.

Spangenberg, starting at third base with Wil Myers getting the day off, lined out to end the eighth with two runners on after watching a would-be, three-run homer curl foul.

Myers struck out as a pinch-hitter to start the ninth.

Galvis collected his fourth hit on a one-out, 397-foot double off the left-center wall but was stranded at second base when Reyes and Renfroe struck out consecutively to end the game.

Reyes had already notched a run-scoring single to tie the game at 2-2 in the third and extend his hitting streak to 10 games and Renfroe had doubled in a run in the first inning, his sixth extra-base hit in his last 11 games.

“Tough losing like we did, especially because we gave ourselves some really good opportunities,” Green said. “Cory Spangenberg’s at-bat was perfect. Couldn't ask for anything more except for that ball to be three feet further fair. It's a tough loss, but there were definitely some positives today.”

Green added: “Those guys we had up there in the end, those are the guys we want to have up there in the end. We believe in those guys. They are going to come through for us a lot.”

Seldom-used Kazuhisa Makita eager to regain

Padres' trust

Jeff Sanders

Padres relievers have been busy this season, but Japanese import Kazuhisa Makita has pitched just 6 2/3 innings since the Fourth of July and none since arriving alongside the final call-ups on Sept. 11.

It has not gone unnoticed.

Nor is it not at least a little concerning, Makita said, as it relates to his future in the organization.

“If I told you I had no worries or doubts I would be lying,” Makita said through interpreter Kenji Aoshima on Tuesday afternoon. “At the same time, I’ve always approached the game like wherever they put me, whatever situation they throw me in, I’ve got a job to do.

“That hasn’t changed at all.”

Makita’s two-year deal will pay him another $1.9 million next season. He spent a great deal of this season at Triple-A El Paso, where he enjoyed a measure of success (4.10 ERA) in hitters’ environments after posting a 6.10 ERA over 31 innings out of the Padres’ bullpen.

Among the concerning trends were the seven homers he allowed in the majors and 12 walks a year after issuing five in 62 2/3 innings last year in Japan in what proved a difficult transition in more ways than one.

“I think there’s an adjustment period,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “It doesn't mean as he goes into next year that we don't think he can be successful next year. We 8 do believe he can be successful for us. He came across the world to pitch in a place he'd never been before, learned pitches that were successful here that weren't as successful in Japan and I think he had some success with those pitches.

“I think we'll continue to watch and see what he does coming into spring training and we'll give him an opportunity to compete and succeed.”

The Padres will certainly have a better idea of how to deploy the soft-tossing, submarining right-hander.

A mystery they hoped would help counter the launch-angle revolution, Makita held right-handed big league hitters to a .636 OPS. Left-handers amassed a 1.025 OPS against Makita, which could relegate him to a strict match-up role moving forward.

Either way, Makita’s success in the States depends largely on pitching with the same comfort and conviction he pitched with in Japan, something he got away from early this season.

“When I came over here,” Makita said, “I got a little too careful, too fine with my pitches and put extra pressure on myself on hitting spots and things like that probably got me off my game.”

He added: “It’s just believing in what I have and going out there and doing my job.”

In that sense, a clean slate next spring could mean as much as having a literal up-and- down season behind him.

“This is the pros — obviously your performance is based on that, so the blame is on me,” said Makita, who was optioned and recalled from El Paso five times. “My goal next year is to earn back the trust and the confidence of the manager and coaches to stay up here the entire year.”

Notable

• Assuming LHP Joey Lucchesi comes out of Tuesday’s start OK, the Padres are altering the rotation to have rookies Eric Lauer, Jacob

Nix and Lucchesi pitch this weekend in Los Angeles as well as the final weekend of the season. RHP Bryan Mitchell will make his final start of the season Monday in San Francisco. The Padres are also planning a bullpen day for the final game of that Giants series on Sept. 26. LHP Matt Strahm and RHPs Miguel Diaz and Luis Perdomo are candidates to start that game.

Minors Second basemen to watch in Padres’ farm system

Jeff Sanders

In three years since trading away Jedd Gyorko to the Cardinals, the Padres have consistently started Jose Pirela, Cory Spangenberg, Carlos Asujae, Yangervis Solarte and Ryan Schimpf at second base.

At long last, the revolving door may be coming to a stop on Luis Urias.

Although a hamstring injury ended his season after only 12 games, Urias’ arrival late this year signaled the next wave of talent expected to crash on San Diego’s shores over the next couple years. Beyond the 21-year-old Mexican, several more intriguing options began to emerge in the lower levels of the Padres’ deep farm system.

1. Luis Urias

• Age: 21 • Team(s): Triple-A El Paso • 2018 stats: .296 avg., .398 OBP, .447 SLG, 8 HRs, 45 RBIs, 83 runs, 2 steals, 67 walks, 109 strikeouts (120 games, 450 at-bats) • Height/weight: 5-foot 9 / 185 pounds • Bats/Throws: R / R • How acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent in December 2013 (Mexico) • Need to know: A top prospect for years, Urias closes 2018 ranked No. 4 in the organization by MLB.com, No. 22 overall and No. 1 among the game’s second base prospects. His extraordinary ability to square up baseballs and plus plate discipline made him an MVP in the California League in his Age 19 season and an all-star in advanced A-ball, Double-A and Triple-A each of the last three 11

years. Seemingly, the only question about Urias’ game was when he’d arrive to San Diego, a promotion delayed a bit when he struck out more than he walked this year this year for the first time as a pro. Challenged to raise his game to a new level, Urias hit .420/.480/.659 in 24 games in August to earn his first big league promotion. In San Diego, Urias hit his first career homer, showed flashes of a gifted glove and hit .208/.264/.354 in a 12-game audition before a hamstring injury ended his season. Nevertheless, Urias enters the offseason atop the organization’s depth chart at second base.

2. Esteury Ruiz

• Age: 19 • Team(s): Low Single-A Fort Wayne • 2018 stats: .253 avg., .324 OBP, .403 SLG, 12 HRs, 53 RBIs, 63 runs, 49 steals, 38 walks, 141 strikeouts (117 games, 439 at-bats) • Height/weight: 6-foot-6 / 254 pounds • Bats/Throws: R / R • How acquired: Trade with the Royals in July 2017 • Need to know: Originally the Royals’ $100,000 investment, Ruiz arrived alongside LHPs Matt Strahm and Travis Wood when LHP Ryan Buchter and RHPs Trevor Cahill and Brandon Maurer were sent to Kansas City to bolster a playoff push. Wood did not return to the Padres for the 2018 season and Strahm is still regaining strength following his 2017 knee surgery. Ruiz, meantime, hit .350/.395/.602 last year in rookie ball and brought a rare blend of power (12 homers) and speed (49 steals) to the Midwest League for a full-season debut that did not nothing knock down comparisons to Alfonso Soriano. There remains a long way to go as Ruiz struck out 141 times in 117 games in 2018. Ruiz is ranked No. 17 in the Padres’ system, by MLB.com, and No. 7 among the game’s second base prospects.

3. Tucupita Marcano

• Age: 19 • Team(s): Rookie-level Arizona League, short-season Tri-City 12

• 2018 stats: .366 avg., .450 OBP, .438 SLG, 1 HR, 26 RBIs, 45 runs, 15 steals, 30 walks, 16 strikeouts (52 games, 194 at-bats) • Height/weight: 6-foot / 165 pounds • Bats/Throws: L / R • How acquired: Non-drafted free agent in July 2016 (Venezuela) • Need to know: An unheralded member of the renowned 2016-2017 international signing class, Marcano simply impressed at every workout alongside the likes of Jorge Ona, Adrian Morejon and Jeisson Rosario. The Padres signed him for $320,000 – a drop in the bucket compared to that class’ $80-plus million price tag – and watched him flourish in his first full year in the organization. His ability to barrel a baseball helped him hit .395/.497/.444 in 35 games in rookie ball and continued to hit in the Northwest League (.314/.355/.429). Marcano might never develop much power, but his walk total (30) nearly doubling his strikeout total (16) bodes well for his chances of developing into a plus major league bat.

4. Eguy Rosario

• Age: 19 • Team(s): High Single-A Lake Elsinore, Double-A San Antonio • 2018 stats: .237 avg., .308 OBP, .359 SLG, 9 HRs, 47 RBIs, 62 runs, 10 steals, 40 walks, 124 strikeouts (124 games, 468 at-bats) • Height/weight: 5-foot-9 / 150 pounds • Bats/Throws: R / R • How acquired: Non-drafted free agent in August 2015 (Dominican Republic) • Need to know: Although undersized, Rosario hit his way out of the Dominican Summer League at 16 years old, hit his way to low Single-A Fort Wayne the following summer and opened the 2018 season as the youngest player in the California League. There, his .670 OPS was nearly 100 points better than his 50-game sample the previous summer in the Midwest League. With a number of young middle infielders coming up behind him, Rosario could again draw an aggressive assignment next spring in the Texas League as the Padres continue to challenge their young prospects.

5. Sean Guilbe

• Age: 18 • Team(s): Rookie-level Arizona League Padres • 2018 stats: .218 avg., .409 OBP, .421 SLG, 5 HRs, 15 RBIs, 19 runs, six steals, 40 walks, 62 strikeouts (40 games, 133 at-bats) • Height/weight: 6-foot-1 / 190 pounds • Bats/Throws: R / R • How acquired: 12th round in 2018 (Muhlenberg HS, Pa.) • Need to know: Rated the 155th-best draft prospect by MLB.com, he required an over-slot, $300,000 signing bonus to forgo his commitment to Tennessee. Among the Padres’ 2018 draft prospects, he has as much raw power as anyone and he flexed his muscles early, pairing three homers with a .302/.476/.603 batting line over his first 19 games. Guilbe closed his first summer in pro ball with a .143/.348/.257 batting line over his final 21 games.

Other names to know: Lee Solomon (AZL, .882 OPS), River Stevens (AA, .706 OPS), Peter Van Gansen (AA, .682 OPS), Justin Lopez (A, .638 OPS), Luke Becker (SS, .558 OPS), Luiz Paez (DSL, .687 OPS), Jarryd Dale (AZL, .485 OPS).

Reyes continues to impress with HR, 3 RBIs

By AJ Cassavell

SAN DIEGO -- Twenty-nine teams had the chance to add Franmil Reyes on the cheap last December. Twenty-nine teams passed.

Hard to believe, given that the hulking right fielder has evolved into a fearsome presence in the heart of the Padres' lineup. No doubt, there are more than a few clubs that would love to have a bat like his.

Reyes -- who was left unprotected in last year's Rule 5 Draft, but wasn't chosen -- extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an RBI single in the third inning Tuesday night. Then he smashed a go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth, before the Padres' bullpen faltered late in a 5-4 loss to the Giants at Petco Park.

"He's looked so good," Padres manager Andy Green said of Reyes. "As an organization, he's become one of the success stories. [Signed] by us, developed by us, and he's just grown so much. ... We're thrilled we have him. He's done a really, really nice job."

Reyes' homer came with a bit of controversy attached. He's known for his prodigious blasts, but this one barely got over the left-field fence and landed in the first row. It might not have cleared the fence at all, but a fan appeared to reach into the field of play, making contact with the glove of left-fielder Chris Shaw. After a crew-chief initiated review, the call would stand.

Shaw got his revenge. His two-run bloop single off Craig Stammen put the Giants on top in the eighth. In the bottom half, Cory Spangenberg missed a homer by inches down the right-field line. It went foul and he lined out sharply on the next pitch.

An inning later, Freddy Galvis came even closer. He smashed a double off the top of the left- center-field wall against Giants closer Will Smith. Galvis, who went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, was stranded at second.

"I didn't lift today," Galvis quipped afterward. "I guess that's what happened."

Padres starter Joey Lucchesi allowed three runs and seven hits over five innings while striking out eight. He was removed for pinch-hitter A.J. Ellis in the bottom of the fifth, and Ellis worked a leadoff walk, setting the stage for Reyes' blast.

It was Reyes' 16th homer, and he's hitting .279/.333/.527 in 77 games this year. Not bad for a 23-year-old rookie. Reyes' .860 OPS is fourth all-time among Padres rookies with at least 100 plate appearances. Ryan Schimpf, the leader with his .869 OPS in 2016, is still within reach.

As things stand, it's going to be a crowded competition for playing time in the outfield next season. But Reyes came from seemingly nowhere to anchor right field this year, and he's clearly left his mark.

"He's had so many big hits for us," Green said. "We're definitely pleased he's in a Padres uniform. And he's making a case to be out there consistently next year, too."

LUCCHESI GRINDS THROUGH 5 It's been a while since Lucchesi has resembled the sharp version of himself that burst onto the scene in the first half of the season.

That makes his recent results all the more impressive. The rookie left-hander has found himself in plenty of trouble, and he's worked through it seamlessly.

"I'm a competitor, man," Lucchesi said. "I always go out there just to give my team the best chance to win. That's always how I've been as a character and a human being. I always try to fight for my boys."

In the top of the fifth inning, Lucchesi put two men in scoring position with nobody out. He struck out Evan Longoria, then made a nice play on a Nick Hundley chopper back to the mound, flipping with his glove to catcher Austin Hedges for the out at the plate. He finally escaped by getting Aramis Garcia to chase a 1-2 curveball, ending the threat.

"The battle is so good with Joey when he's off," Green said. "He gives you a chance to win a baseball game. What he did today is just as impressive as going out there and absolutely dominating."

EVERYDAY FREDDY Barring something unforeseen, Galvis is going to be the only player in the Majors to play all 162 games in both 2017 and '18. And he's still going strong. Galvis has doubled four times in the last three games, and his four-hit night was his second of the season.

"The defense has been there all season long," Green said. "I don't think he feels the numbers are where he'd like them to be. But at-bat after at-bat, it's a high-quality at-bat."

SOUND SMART Through August, Reyes had recorded 13 home runs with just 17 RBIs. It was a truly odd statistical anomaly at the time, but those numbers have begun to balance out. Reyes has three dingers and 10 RBIs in September.

HE SAID IT "He's getting a reputation. They're not going to give in to him … no matter who's hitting behind him." -- Green, on Reyes

UP NEXT Robbie Erlin takes the ball Wednesday as the Padres finish their three-game series against the Giants at 6:10 p.m. PT. Erlin has posted a 2.05 ERA in relief this season, compared with a 6.80 mark as a starter. He was sharp in his most recent start Friday against Texas, allowing two runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings, with both runs coming after defensive lapses. San Francisco counters with right-hander Chris Stratton.

Galvis prefers shortstop but aims for versatility

By AJ Cassavell

SAN DIEGO -- Freddy Galvis makes it crystal clear.

"I prefer shortstop," said Galvis, who was back there on Tuesday night after three straight starts at second. "It's a more athletic position. Second base is kinda lazy, as a position. But I get focused the same way."

Know what Galvis prefers more than playing shortstop? Winning.

Galvis -- who started at short in each of the Padres' first 148 games before rookie Javy Guerra was called up -- will be a free agent after the season.

When he weighs his options this offseason, he wouldn't mind landing somewhere where he'll play short 162 times. But that isn't his top priority.

"I want to be on a team where we're competing and playing for something, even if I move around a little bit," Galvis said. "That's something I would sacrifice. I understand the times are changing in baseball, too. Guys play all different positions. I understand the situation. I think this team is going to start competing pretty soon. Let's see what happens."

The reality is: If Galvis were to re-sign with the Padres, he probably wouldn't play short every day. In fact, he wouldn't play every day, period. Top prospects Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias can both play shortstop, and both are expected to be major contributors in San Diego next season.

At this point, it's unclear what kind of interest Galvis will receive on the free-agent market. He's slumped to a .641 OPS this season, while being worth 1.3 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

The Padres love Galvis' leadership qualities, and they love his glove. They're almost certainly going to be interested in a 2019 reunion -- depending on the price, of course. If that were to happen, Galvis might not play shortstop exclusively. But the Friars are convinced he'd be valuable just about anywhere.

"We're pretty confident that if you put a glove on that guy's hand, he's going to catch pretty much everything that comes to him, no matter where he's standing," said Padres manager Andy Green.

As for Galvis' current place with the club, he's going to split time between short and second over the next two weeks while Guerra gets starts at short.

Guerra is built in a similar mold -- a glove-first shortstop, who would likely shine anywhere on the diamond. (But Guerra's bat has been nowhere close to big league caliber.)

In any case, the Padres wanted a look at Guerra before they decide how to proceed with their shortstop decisions this offseason.

"I understand, especially at this time of the year in September," Galvis said. "They're calling up prospects, and they want to see them. I understand the situation. But I'll just keep helping the team however I can."

Evaluating Padres outfielders Statcast™ has a new method for evaluating outfield defense. "Outs above average" has been in place for a few years. It's a number that uses catch probability averages to evaluate the range and effectiveness of outfielders.

Now, those outs above average can be broken down directionally. Who's good at ranging to his right? Who's great coming in on the ball? All of that can be quantified now -- and has been.

Here's a look at the Padres' four primary outfielders.

For easy reference, imagine the outfielder's starting point as the middle of the circle in the charts. Specifically: Hunter Renfroe is very good coming in on balls, but struggles going back. Travis Jankowski is mostly solid all around. Manuel Margot is good everywhere, except when he has to retreat straight back.

For the most part, these conclusions confirm the eye test. But it's still a fun way to break down the intricacies of outfield defense.

Noteworthy Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Padres have essentially set their rotation for the remainder of the season. They'll use Eric Lauer, Jacob Nix and Joey Lucchesi -- in that order -- for their two remaining weekend series. Bryan Mitchell and Robbie Erlin are expected to start Monday and Sept. 25.

That leaves only next Sept. 26 open. It's going to be a bullpen game in San Francisco, and Green mentioned Luis Perdomo, Matt Strahm and Miguel Diaz as options to start.

Rookies to start all games in Padres' set vs. LA

Lauer, Nix, Lucchesi lined up to face postseason-seeking Dodgers

By AJ Cassavell

SAN DIEGO -- In the midst of an incredibly tight National League West race, the Dodgers will host the Padres for three games this weekend in Los Angeles. Three rookie starting pitchers will be thrown directly into the pennant-race fire.

And that's exactly the point.

When the Padres convened in early September to align their season-ending rotation, they added a couple wrinkles. Eric Lauer had his start pushed back a day so he could take the ball for the opener at Dodger Stadium. Jacob Nix was always scheduled to start Saturday, but now Joey Lucchesi is expected to jump Bryan Mitchell in the rotation by a day so he can pitch the finale.

"The pressure isn't on us, it's on them," said Lauer. "But it's still a high-leverage game, and you get the feel of that. You still want to get used to that feeling, so that when you get there and it really matters, and we're going for a pennant, we've been in that moment. Not in that same light, but we've still been there."

The Padres might be contenders next September. They might not be. But they want to make sure their young starting pitchers have been in as many different game situations as possible. It's important to the organization that they pitch in games with playoff implications.

"That'll be a really good environment for them," said catcher Austin Hedges. "As long as I've been in the big leagues, L.A.'s always been one of the most hostile environments. Obviously with them in the playoff race, it'll be crazy. ... [The rookie pitchers will] get a taste of it. They'll get a taste of the noise and the atmosphere, and hopefully next year when they're pitching in those situations, it won't be the first time."

It's possible that the three rookies could get another start with playoff implications after the Dodgers series as well. The D-backs are fading fast in the NL West, but they're still alive, sitting 4 1/2 games behind the Rockies and four behind Los Angeles.

The Padres are looking to give Lauer, Nix and Lucchesi a week's rest before their final start, and all three are also scheduled to pitch the final series of the season against Arizona. (The temporary plan is for a bullpen day next Wednesday, to push the trio back a game.)

Of course, they aren't generally the type to be overwhelmed by the moment. All three debuted in the big leagues well ahead of schedule this year, as the Padres did their best to thrust their high-level prospects into the big league spotlight.

"I'm excited to go out there every time," Nix said. "To me, it doesn't really matter if it's against the Dodgers or if it's against the Sugar Land Skeeters. I'm going out to pitch and win the game."

That doesn't mean Nix isn't looking forward to the next couple Saturdays.

"Hopefully next year we get that opportunity, and I can look back and say, 'OK, this is what that felt like,' and I'm not blindsided by it," Nix said. "But I don't think it'll really affect me. I don't care where it is, it's still a big league game. There's only 30 of us who get to start a big league game on Saturday."

Don't run on Hoz In his seven seasons with the Royals, Eric Hosmer took home four American League Gold Glove Awards. And his glove was only half the reason why.

Hosmer has showcased an elite first baseman's arm -- and also a knack for when to use it. In each of the Padres' three games over the weekend against Texas, he recorded assists at either home plate or third base.

On Sunday, he made an excellent split-second decision, going across the diamond to third on a chopper to first (then covering second and completing the double play after a rundown ensued).

"He's definitely the best-throwing first baseman, and I don't even think it's close," said Padres manager Andy Green. "The arm is real, and the decision-making is obviously very good as well."

Noteworthy • Rookie Javy Guerra made his third consecutive start at shortstop on Monday night, with Freddy Galvis at second. That's probably going to be the Padres' regular middle-infield alignment moving forward, though Green said Galvis might slide back to shortstop a few times over the next couple weeks.

• Said Green of Hedges' improvement at the plate this season: "His lot has changed so much that a year ago, I was pinch-hitting for him in crucial situations, and now he's pinch-hitting in crucial situations."

Hedges has posted an .803 OPS in the second half this season. Last year's second-half mark was .632. Hedges pinch-hit in the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon and grounded back to the pitcher.

One outing doesn't change Mitchell's status

Notes on the bullpen, Franmil Reyes, Freddy Galvis, Austin Hedges

By Bill Center | San Diego Padres

Everyone knows that Bryan Mitchell is fighting to regain that spot in the Padres rotation that he lost earlier this season.

And Monday night's start against the Giants at Petco Park was not a step in the right direction.

He lasted just five innings and gave up four runs on nine hits - including homers to Brandon Crawford and Evan Longoria - with four strikeouts.

But one outing doesn't determine a pitcher's value. If he was on too long a leash early in the season when he remained in the rotation until his earned run average reached 6.47 after seven starts, his future probably won't be determined by one bad start now.

Even with Monday night's outing, Mitchell's ERA remains at 3.38 for his three starts since returning from the disabled list on Sept. 3. He has given up six runs on 15 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in 16 innings. The Padres had won his first two starts since his return as Mitchell held Arizona and Seattle in check.

NOTEBOOK:

--RF Franmil Reyes was 1-for-3 Monday night to extend his current hitting streak to nine straight games. He is 12-for-31 (.387) in this streak. He has hit safely in 19 of his last 20 games around a 0-for-3 on Sept. 6 and is batting a Major League-leading .383 (28-for-73) in 24 games since Aug. 21 with a .458 on-base percentage and a .658 slugging percentage (two doubles and six homers) for a 1.116 OPS.

--Freddy Galvis is 4-for-11 (.364) with two doubles, a RBI and two runs scored in the three games he has started at second base. He was hitting .230 after 148 straight starts at shortstop.

--Austin Hedges' 14th homer of the season Monday night was also his third in the last six games. Padres catchers have now hit 21 homers on the season, the second-highest total in the National League to the Dodgers' 25 homers from their catchers.

--Padres relievers worked four scoreless innings Monday night against the Giants, giving up three hits with seven strikeouts. Since the All-Star break, the Padres bullpen has a National League-leading 3.26 ERA (73 earned runs in 207 1/3 innings). And, since the All-Star break, the Padres bullpen has a National League-leading .222 opponents' batting average.

Shaw's 2-run single lifts Giants over last-place Padres, 5-4

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Hunter Pence isn't slowing down even though his seven-year run with the San Francisco Giants -- which includes two World Series titles -- is coming to an end.

The 35-year-old Pence homered, doubled and drove in three runs, and rookie Chris Shaw hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning as the Giants rallied to beat San Diego 5-4 on Tuesday night, assuring that the rebuilding Padres will finish last in the NL West.

Used mostly as a pinch-hitter this year, Pence made his 41st start of the season, in right field.

"I try to enjoy and give everything I have every day," Pence said. "It's been pretty special. It's been an incredible trip for me being part of the Giants organization for this long, and I've loved every bit of it. I'm going to continue to do so until it's officially over."

His contract expires at the end of the season.

"Nice game by Hunter. Good for him," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He has a different role and he just keeps working, keeps himself ready. It's good to see him have some success."

Pence said he's "constantly working to get better. I've been working on a small adjustment and it's starting to feel better, so I'm continuing to do that. I love to play. I love the game. It matters. It matters to all of us."

Shaw's bases-loaded flare fell in just in front of diving left fielder Hunter Renfroe, and Nick Hundley and Brandon Crawford came racing home to give the Giants the lead. Craig Stammen (8- 3) loaded the bases with no outs before getting Pence to ground into a force at home, but then gave up Shaw's decisive hit.

Pence had a big night otherwise, hitting a two-run homer in the second, his third, and adding an RBI double in the fourth to give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

"It's huge," Giants starter Derek Holland said of Pence. "The guy brings a lot to the table. I know the fans know it. For him being here as long as he has, they've seen everything. He may not be playing every single day, but he's going to bring everything he can to the table to help this team win. He's got a great attitude. Very high competitor. I love what he does for this team. Whether he's in the game or not, he's going to give you everything, he's going to be behind each guy, he's going to help everybody, keep them motivated. I think that's huge for a guy like him. He's a perfect teammate. A great teammate. He definitely deserves a lot more praise than he's getting."

Freddy Galvis had four hits and scored twice for the Padres, who dropped to 60-92, one more loss than last year with 10 games to play. Ownership expected the team would improve from last season, when it finished 71-91, seven games better than San Francisco.

Sam Dyson (4-3) pitched the seventh for the win. Will Smith worked the ninth to earn his 14th save, allowing Galvis' one-out double before striking out rookie Franmil Reyes and Renfroe.

Reyes gave the Padres a 4-3 lead on his two-run homer in the fifth off Holland that had to withstand a video review for potential fan interference. It was determined that a fan who went for the ball didn't interfere with Shaw in left field. It was Reyes' 16th and it came with pinch- hitter A.J. Ellis aboard on a leadoff walk.

Reyes also hit an RBI single in the third and Renfroe had an RBI double in the first.

"We're thrilled we got Franmil," Padres manager Andy Green said. "He looks so good. He's become one of the success stories. Drafted by us, developed by us.

"We've got a couple rookies this year doing extraordinary things in the National League, which you typically don't see," Green added. "Where he is right now, he'd be in a lot of conversations for Rookie of the Year. He's played that well. Numbers just trending up every day. He's had so many big hits for us. We're definitely pleased he's in a Padres uniform."

Holland allowed four runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Padres rookie lefty Joey Lucchesi yielded three runs and seven hits in five innings. He struck out eight and walked one.

"I always try to fight for my boys," Lucchesi said.

UP NEXT

Giants: RHP Chris Stratton (10-9, 4.66 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale Wednesday night. He's coming off his first career shutout, 2-0 against Colorado.

Padres: LHP Robbie Erlin (3-7, 4.27) is looking for better luck after tying his career high by losing four straight starts.

This Day in Padres History, 9/19

By Bill Center

Sept. 19, 1987 — Shortstop Garry Templeton homers in the top of the 14th to give the Padres a 2–1 win over Houston in the Astrodome.

Sept. 19, 1995 — Third baseman Ken Caminiti is 4-for-4 with two home runs and a franchise record-tying eight RBIs in a 15–4 win over Colorado at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. Jody Reed is 4-for-6 with four runs scored and Tony Gwynn is 3-for-4 with three runs scored while hitting ahead of Caminiti.

Sept. 19, 2008 — The Padres score five runs in the top of the 14th to defeat the Nationals 11–6 in Washington. The Padres finish with 20 hits.

Sept. 19, 2011 — Left-hander Corey Luebke and right-handed reliever Ernesto Frieri combine on a one-hitter in an 8–2 Padres win at Colorado. The only hit is a two-run Mark Ellis homer in the sixth. Luebke allows two runs on one hit and three walks with nine strikeouts in seven innings. Luebke struck out three in two perfect innings.

8th inning dooms Padres in 5-4 loss to Giants

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Giants rookie Chris Shaw hit a two-run single in the eighth inning and San Francisco rallied to beat San Diego 5-4 on Tuesday night, assuring that the rebuilding Padres will finish last in the NL West.

Hunter Pence homered, doubled and drove in three runs for the Giants.

Shaw’s bases-loaded flare fell in just in front of diving left fielder Hunter Renfroe, and Nick Hundley and Brandon Crawford came racing home to give the Giants the lead. Craig Stammen (8-3) loaded the bases with no outs before getting Pence to ground into a force at home, but then gave up Shaw’s decisive hit.

Pence had a big night otherwise, hitting a two-run homer in the second, his third, and adding an RBI double in the fourth to give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

Sam Dyson (4-3) pitched the seventh for the win. Will Smith worked the ninth for his 14th save, allowing Galvis’ one-out double before striking out rookie Franmil Reyes and Renfroe.

Reyes gave the Padres a 4-3 lead on his two-run homer in the fifth off lefty Derek Holland that had to withstand a video review for potential fan interference. It was determined that a fan who went for the ball didn’t interfere with Shaw in left field. It was Reyes’ 16th and it came with pinch-hitter A.J. Ellis aboard on a leadoff walk.

Reyes also hit an RBI single in the third and Renfroe had an RBI double in the first.

Holland allowed four runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Padres rookie lefty Joey Lucchesi yielded three runs and seven hits in five innings. He struck out eight and walked one.

UP NEXT

Giants: RHP Chris Stratton (10-9, 4.66 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale Wednesday night. He’s coming off his first career shutout, 2-0 against Colorado.

Padres: LHP Robbie Erlin (3-7, 4.27) is looking for better luck after tying his career high by losing four straight starts. 25