Padres Press Clips Thursday, September 3, 2015

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Padres edged in 10 by Rangers MLB.com Maiman/Sullivan 2

Kennedy’s solid start spoiled in extras MLB.com Maiman 4

Reinforcements called in for injured players MLB.com Maiman 6

Hagerty homers to give Triple-A El Paso important win Padres.com Center 8

Rea set to lead Padres against Dodgers’ Latos MLB.com Bourbon 10

Padres ‘pen spoils Ian Kennedy’s gem UT San Diego Sanders 11

Padres promote Dickerson, Edwards, Gale UT San Diego Lin 14

Minors: Hagerty homer sends El Paso to win UT San Diego Sanders 17

Dodgers matters: Slow going for Utley-Rollins UT San Diego Sanders 19

On deck: Mat Latos vs. Colin Rea UT San Diego Sanders 21

In a season of disappointment, Wil Myers hopes for a good ending ESPN.com Crasnick 22

Moreland leads Rangers to 4-3 win over Padres in 10 innings Associated Press AP 24

Dodgers-Padres Preview Associated Press DiBenedetto 26

Rangers GM predicts Preller will be a winner Mighty1090.com Paris 28

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Padres edged in 10 by Rangers By Beth Maiman and T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com | 3:22 AM ET SAN DIEGO -- Mitch Moreland doubled home Elvis Andrus in the top of the 10th inning and the Rangers held on for a 4-3 victory over the Padres on Wednesday night.

The victory moved the Rangers within two games of the Astros in the American League West, and they maintain a one-game lead over the Twins for the second Wild Card spot. Andrus started the rally with a one-out single off reliever Bud Norris. Moreland followed with a line drive down the right-field line that rattled around the corner long enough for Andrus to score from first base.

"It was a big win for us, a hard-fought game," Moreland said. "It was a great one for us to win, give us some momentum and take it into the next series." Padres starter Ian Kennedy held the Rangers to two runs in seven innings while tying a career high with 12 . He struck out the last five batters he faced before the Padres pinch-hit for him in the seventh. Padres pitchers struck out 16 on the night. Rangers starter Cole Hamels also went seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, a walk and eight strikeouts. Sam Dyson picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief on a night when closer Shawn Tolleson was unavailable..

"Dyson showed up big for us tonight," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "A lot of resiliency by our guys. It was a solid night for all of our guys and a couple of guys stepped up big." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Gimenez power splurge: Rangers Chris Gimenez was 1-for-3 with a fourth-inning . He has five home runs in 49 at-bats with the Rangers, or one for every 9.8 at-bats. When Alex Rodriguez set a club record with 57 home runs in 2002, he hit one every 10.95 at- bats.

Barmes' big day: Clint Barmes sparked the Padres' scoring, hitting a two-run in the fourth inning that fell just inside the right-field foul line to give San Diego its first two runs of the game. In the sixth inning, Barmes grounded into a forceout and knocked in Justin Upton on a fielder's choice. Barmes is now 6-for-13, with three doubles, in his career against Hamels.

Benoit works: Padres reliever Joaquin Benoit threw a season-high 31 pitches and allowed a run to tie the game at 3-3. Benoit walked Shin-Soo Choo, allowed a single to Prince Fielder, before Adrian Beltre hit a sacrifice fly to score Choo. Benoit had not allowed an earned run since June 9. He struck out Moreland with runners on second and third to end the inning.

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Hamilton hits, but Rangers can't score: Josh Hamilton made his first appearance in a game since Aug. 15, as a pinch-hitter in the ninth, and delivered a single off Craig Kimbrel. But the Rangers couldn't take advantage of it. Hamilton's single followed a leadoff walk by . But Delino DeShields popped out after fouling off two bunt attempts. Kimbrel walked Choo to load the bases but struck out Mike Napoli and Beltre.

"It's nice to be able to contribute in some way instead of just being a cheerleader," Hamilton said. SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Kimbrel didn't make the ninth his normal quick inning, as he faced six batters, throwing a season-high 37 pitches. Kimbrel's previous highest pitch count for the season was 33, also against the Rangers on July 12.

QUOTABLE "It goes unnoticed how great he was. I thought it was a great performance, battling their No. 1. He made great pitches, he pitched out of trouble when he needed to, whether he created it or not. I really thought that was as good as a starting pitching performance as you could see." -- Interim manager Pat Murphy on Kennedy More > "They are a great hitting team and you try to navigate through that lineup and I doubted myself one time thinking 'There is no break in this lineup,' even thinking Cole -- Cole is a great hitter himself. You can't treat him lightly either." -- Kennedy on facing the Rangers' hitters

REPLAY REVIEW In the 10th inning, the Padres challenged the call that Drew Stubbs was safe at first base. Murphy's hunch was correct as the call was overturned, sending San Diego back to the dugout.

WHAT'S NEXT Rangers: The Rangers are off on Thursday before opening a three-game series with the Angels at 9:05 p.m. CT on Friday night. Martin Perez will be on the mound for the Rangers, who are 4- 8 against the Angels this season and 9-22 since the start of 2014.

Padres: The Padres open a four-game series with the Dodgers at 7:10 p.m. PT Thursday at Petco Park. Rookie right-hander Colin Rea makes his fifth start for San Diego and goes up against former Padres right-hander Mat Latos. Rea is trying to snap a two-game losing streak

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Kennedy's solid start spoiled in extras Padres starter struck out 12, but Norris gave up game-winner By Beth Maiman / MLB.com | 1:23 AM ET SAN DIEGO -- Ian Kennedy's solid start was spoiled Wednesday night, when the Padres dropped the series finale against the Rangers, losing, 4-3, in 10 innings.

"It goes unnoticed how great [Kennedy] was," interim manager Pat Murphy said. "I thought it was a great performance, battling their No. 1. He made great pitches, he pitched out of trouble when he needed to, whether he created it or not. I really thought that was as good as a starting pitching performance as you could see."

Kennedy matched his career high in strikeouts with 12. The last time he did that was on May 8, 2014, against Miami. Kennedy allowed only two runs in seven innings. The right-handed veteran has been strong since the All-Star break, posting a 2.35 ERA. Kennedy credited his fastball command and communication with rookie catcherAustin Hedges for his success vs. the Rangers. The Padres faltered in the 10th inning, as reliever Bud Norris allowed a single toElvis Andrus. The next batter up, Mitch Moreland, doubled to right field to score Andrus with the go-ahead run. The Padres' bullpen also surrendered a run in the eighth inning, when Joaquin Benoit walked Shin-Soo Choo and allowed a single to Prince Fielder, beforeAdrian Beltre hit a sacrifice fly to score Choo and tie the game at 3.

Benoit had not allowed an earned run since June 9. Benoit threw a season-high 31 pitches. He ended the inning by striking out Moreland with runners on second and third.

Craig Kimbrel didn't make the ninth his normal quick inning, as he faced six batters, throwing a season-high 37 pitches. Kimbrel's previous highest pitch count this season was 33, also against the Rangers, on July 12.

"That [is a] team who is hot, that has played good and their stud [Cole Hamels] is on the mound, who is really good," Murphy said.

Kennedy said that in facing the talented Rangers' lineup it was important to execute no matter what pitch he was throwing.

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"They are a great hitting team and you try to navigate through that lineup." Kennedy said. "I doubted myself one time thinking, 'There is no break in this lineup, even thinking Cole. Cole is a great hitter himself. You can't treat him lightly either."

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Reinforcements called in for injured players Padres add OF Dickerson, RHP Edwards and catcher Gale to roster By Beth Maiman / MLB.com | 2:37 AM ET SAN DIEGO -- With Derek Norris, Shawn Kelley and Yonder Alonso exiting with injuries in Tuesday's 8-6 loss, the Padres recalled outfielder Alex Dickerson and right-hander Jon Edwards from Triple-A El Paso, and selected the contract of catcher Rocky Gale.

Left-hander Chris Rearick was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

First baseman Alonso left in the third inning of Tuesday's game with lower-back tightness. In a play at the plate in the seventh inning, Norris sustained a left-shoulder and elbow hyperextension, and moments later reliever Kelley left the game with right-forearm tightness.

"Luckily it doesn't look like any of them look that serious," interim manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday. "You will see those guys back in the lineup before long."

Assistant general manager Josh Stein said that the team came out of Tuesday's game fortunate in regards to the injuries. Norris pinch-hit for center fielder Travis Jankowski in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers and flied out to right field.

Dickerson, who was named 's Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, will make his second stint with the Padres this season. He was called up Aug. 6, and recorded his first career hit while playing in two games with the Padres.

"Dickerson has a little hip injury, but I think he's available to pinch-hit," Murphy said. "I think that's the role you will see him in." Edwards was acquired on Aug. 21 in the trade of Will Venable to Texas. The 27-year-old made nine appearances with the Rangers this season and had 37 appearances in the Minors with El Paso and Texas' Triple-A Round Rock. He had a 1.23 ERA with 23 saves.

"You will see him pitch in short stints," Murphy said.

Stein said that Kelley would be down at least a couple of days, but didn't need an MRI after passing stress tests to rule out an elbow or ligament injury.

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"When a pitcher walks off the mound like that, I think my head goes worst-case scenario, but it's not in a portion of the forearm or close to the elbow where you get really concerned," Stein said. "I think we might have caught a break on that one."

For Gale, drafted by the Padres in the 24th round of the 2010 Draft, this is his first Major League stint. He hit .307 with 39 RBIs in 102 games with El Paso. Austin Hedges started at catcher Wednesday, with Gale as his backup. Brett Wallace started at first base for Alonso.

"Derek came out of that really well, we are going to see how he feels," Murphy said. "Rocky is available, I trust him defensively for sure." Worth noting

• Wil Myers made another rehab start with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore on Wednesday night, hitting leadoff and starting at first base. Myers had four plate appearances Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with a walk. He has been on the disabled list since June 15 with left-wrist tendinitis and has played in just 35 games this season.

"I know he came out and felt strong and felt how you would want to feel after your first rehab game," Stein said. "[We will] determine after first few games on when the next steps will be." • Stein said that Josh Johnson, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, felt good after throwing a 17-pitch simulated game Tuesday.

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Hagerty homers to give Triple-A El Paso important win Chihuahuas 1/2-game behind in PCL division with 5 to play By Bill Center / | 12:19 PM ET

Jason Hagerty, who became Triple-A El Paso's regular catcher earlier in the day when Rocky Gale was promoted to the Padres, homered in the top of the 11th Wednesday night to lead the Chihuahuas to a 2- 1 victory at Las Vegas.

The win moved El Paso to within a half-game of Pacific Coast League Pacific Southern Division-leading Las Vegas going into Thursday's finale of a four-game series. Another win would put the Chihuahuas in first place with four games to go in the regular season.

Hagerty (.292) was 3-for-5 with his fourth homer. Shortstop Hector Gomez (.375) was 4-for-5 with a RBI double. Center fielder Rymer Liriano (.287) was 2-for-4 with a walk.

Starting right-hander Chris Smith (3.50 ) allowed one run on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Michael Dimock (1.06 ERA) struck out all four hitters he faced. Right-hander Dale Thayer (2-0, 1.17) walked one with three strikeouts in two otherwise perfect innings. Right-hander Jay Jackson (2.34) pitched a perfect bottom of the 11th for his 13th .

Meanwhile, low Single-A Fort Wayne suffered a 1-0 loss to Western Michigan at Comstock, Mich., in the opener of a three-game series. The loss reduced Fort Wayne's lead over Western Michigan in the Midwest League's second-half Eastern Division race to three games with five to play.

If the TinCaps win either of the next two games over Western Michigan, they will clinch the second-half division title. Right-handed TinCaps starter Pete Kelich (2.88 ERA) allowed no runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts over six innings. Left-handed reliever Griffin Russell (1-1, 3.38) allowed an unearned run on four hits with two strikeouts in two innings to suffer the loss.First baseman Trae Santos (.266) had two doubles in four at-bats, giving him 33 doubles on the season.

The Padres promotion of Gale, left fielder Alex Dickerson and right-handed reliever Jon Edwards from El Paso Wednesday to replenish their injury-struck ranks created a ripple effect in the farm system.Right-

8 handed pitcher Aaron Northcraft and catcher Robert Kral were promoted to El Paso from Double-A San Antonio and catcher Ryan Miller was promoted to San Antonio from high Single-A Lake Elsinore.

At Fort Wayne, right-handed reliever Nick Monroe was placed on the seven-day disabled list and right- handed reliever Bryan Verbitsky was transferred from Lake Elsinore to Fort Wayne to keep the playoffs- bound TinCaps at full strength.

AROUND THE FARM:

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (58-77): MISSIONS 11, Midland 1 - 3B Gabriel Quintana (.350) was 2-for-4 with his fourth homer in five games since being promoted to Double-A. Quintana had three RBIs and two runs scored but also committed the error that led to Midland's lone run. 2B Diego Goris (.258) hit a grand slam in five at-bats for his fifth homer of the season. RF Yeison Asencio (.303) was 3-for-5 with a run scored. SS Benji Gonzalez (.240) was 2-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored. 1B Duanel Jones (.233) was 2-for-3 with two walks, a RBI and two runs scored. CF Auston Bousfield (.212) was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Starting RHP Stephen Kohlscheen (2.74 ERA) allowed an unearned run on two hits and a walk with five strikeouts in four innings. RHP Elliot Morris (5-9, 4.97) pitched a perfect fifth. RHPs Genison Reyes (0.00) and Adam Cimber (3.11) each allowed two hits with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings. HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (47-88): Rancho Cucamonga 7, STORM 4 - Wil Myers (.167) started at first base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his second rahab start with Lake Elsinore. SS Chase Jensen (.281) was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. RF Nick Torres (.286) was 1-for-3 with two walks. Starting RHP Matthew Shepherd (4-11, 5.84 ERA) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and four walks with six strikeouts in six innings. LHP Kyle Bartsch (4.02) allowed two runs (pone earned) on two hits with two strikeouts in two innings.

SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI-CITY (38-34): DUST DEVILS 1, Vancouver 0 - Five pitchers combined on a six-hit, 11- shutout. Starting RHP Brett Kennedy (2.70 ERA) allowed a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in three innings. LHP Will Headean (1-0) allowed two hits with five strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. RHP Trey Wingenter (15.43) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. RHP Louis Distasio (3.86) allowed two hits with a strikeout in an inning. RHP Wilson Santos (2.73) pitched a perfect ninth for his second save. 1B Nick Vitter (.230) had a double in two at-bats with a walk and scored the game's lone run. 2B Mitch Morales (.258) was 1-for-3 with a RBI.

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Rea set to lead Padres against Dodgers' Latos By Steve Bourbon / MLB.com | 1:31 AM ET Mat Latos and Colin Rea, a pair of pitchers looking for consistency, will take the mound as the Dodgers and Padres open a four-game series at Petco Park on Thursday.

Latos has struggled since joining the Dodgers in a Trade Deadline deal with the Marlins. He's 0- 2 with a 6.05 ERA in four starts with Los Angeles and was moved to the bullpen for 16 days before his previous start. Latos hasn't made it through the fifth inning in any of his last three starts -- throwing no more than 86 pitches.

After picking up a win in his first two career starts, Rea was stuck with the loss in his past two outings. The rookie allowed four runs in five innings in a loss to the Phillies on Saturday and owns a 5.95 ERA this season. Rea is the No. 2 prospect in the Padres organization. Things to know about this game

• Justin Upton and Matt Kemp have both faced Latos 20 times in the past five seasons, with very different results. Kemp is hitting .150 against Latos, while Upton is hitting .500 with two home runs.

• The Dodgers hold a 8-4 advantage in the season series against the Padres. The last time these teams played, the Dodgers won in 12 innings and former Padres manager Bud Black was dismissed the following day.

• The Padres had three injuries occur during Tuesday's 8-6 loss to the Rangers: starting first baseman Yonder Alonso (back tightness), catcher Derek Norris (hyperextension of left shoulder and elbow) and reliever Shawn Kelley (right forearm tightness). As a result, the Padres called up outfielder Alex Dickerson, right-hander Jon Edwards and catcher Rocky Gale.

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Padres ‘pen spoils Ian Kennedy’s gem Right-hander strikes out 12 to upstage Hamels’ homecoming but Benoit can’t hold lead By Jeff Sanders | 7:09 p.m. Sept. 2, 2015 | Updated, 11:34 p.m.

For months – really, the last two years – teams have tripped over themselves trying to line up just the right pieces to pry Cole Hamels away from the salary-dumping Phillies. Perhaps the runner-ups to the Rangers in those sweepstakes should have taken a longer look at Ian Kennedy as a consolation prize.

It certainly would have been cheaper.

Dangled on the trade market before and after the non-waiver deadline, the Padres’ pending free agent continued a stellar, under-the-radar second half Wednesday night at Petco Park, matching a career-high with 12 strikeouts to upstage Hamels’ annual homecoming effort. Kennedy’s bullpen, however, couldn’t follow suit as the upstart Rangers outlasted the Padres, 4-3 in 10 innings, in a win that allowed them to maintain a one-game cushion in their push for the AL’s second wild card.

“His fastball, he has great command and it plays up,” Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said. “You saw what he did against real special hitters. It was a heck of a day. Really impressed with him – really impressed.”

Texas pushed across a run off Joaquin Benoit immediately after Kennedy’s exit after seven innings and nearly got to Craig Kimbrel when his 37th pitch struck out Adrian Beltre with the bases loaded in the ninth. An inning later, Mitch Moreland cashed in Elvis Andrus’ one-out single off Bud Norris with a double into the right-field corner to provide the go-ahead run.

The Padres threatened in the bottom of the 10th only to have Yangervis Solarte caught between second and third on Jedd Gyorko's one-out bouncer to shortstop, erasing one last runner in scoring position during a 1-for-11 effort in those spots.

Too bad for Kennedy, too.

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Because outside Beltre’s run-scoring double in the first and Chris Gimenez’s solo homer in the fifth, the 30-year-old right-hander again proved rather stingy, scattering five hits and two walks over seven strong innings to maintain a 2.35 earned-run average since the All-Star break.

“It goes back to fastball command,” Kennedy said after throwing 72 of his 100 pitches for strikes. “(Austin Hedges) and I were on the same page for most of the game. We talked pretty much every time I came into the dugout – what my approach is. It’s nice when you and your catcher do that, and (Derek Norris) does the same thing. It was just good fastball command and I got the curveball over for strikes and down for balls to get swings and misses.

“It’s a tough one we lost.”

Benoit’s eighth-inning hiccup (1 IP, 1 ER, 31 pitches) prevented Kennedy from adding to his 8-12 record and allowed Hamels to escape Wednesday’s affair at hometown Petco Park with a no-decision. The Rancho Bernardo High product struck out eight and allowed three runs on eight hits – Clint Barmes’ two-run double in the fourth and his RBI ground out in the sixth – and a walk in seven innings for a Rangers team riding all kinds of momentum since landing Hamels three days before the non-waiver trade deadline.

The Rangers’ total cost to acquire the 2008 World Series MVP: Left-hander Matt Harrison, a bundle of prospects headlined by catcher Jorge Alfaro and reportedly paying roughly $40 million of the $70.5 million owed to Hamels over the next three- plus years.

At five games under .500 the morning the news broke, Texas General Manager Jon Daniels’ move returned immediate dividends.

The Rangers (70-62) won three straight before Hamels even debuted in a Rangers uniform. They’ve since rolled off a trio of winnings streaks of four games or more to seize possession a wild-card spot

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“Any time you can make a team better, it’s always a momentum-booster,” said Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder, who walked in the first and scored on Beltre’s first-inning double. “Cole is a great pitcher. We got better. It definitely showed that the front office is trying to win and that definitely motivated us.”

Hamels, of course, is certainly pulling his weight.

Though not nearly as dominant as he was while fanning 13 in a no-hitter to cap his Phillies’ tenure on July 25, he had tossed three straight quality starts entering Wednesday’s start at Petco Park, a safe haven (1.78 ERA in 55 2/3 innings) during his yearly trips to a mound just 25 miles south of the high school that molded Hamels into a first-round pick in 2002.

Outside of a bloated 1.33 WHIP, his numbers across his first five Rangers starts – 2-1, 3.89 ERA and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings – suggest Hamels is well on his way to settling into his new home.

Didn’t take long, actually.

“He fit in right away,” Fielder said. “Having a guy like that, you’re excited to have him. Whenever a guy like that gets here, you’re definitely going to welcome him with open arms.”

Notable

• C Derek Norris (left shoulder and elbow hyperextension) flied out to right field as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. Murphy said after the game that he could return to the starting lineup as soon as Thursday. • RF Matt Kemp walked and scored a run in five plate appearances, extending his career-best on-base streak to 22 games. He is hitting .326 with six homers and 22 RBIs over that stretch.

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Padres promote Dickerson, Edwards, Gale By Dennis Lin | 3:02 p.m. Sept. 2, 2015 | Updated, 5:56 p.m.

After having three players leave Tuesday's loss due to injuries, the Padres made another round of September call-ups on Wednesday, recalling outfielder Alex Dickerson and right-hander Jon Edwards from Triple-A El Paso and selecting the contract of catcher Rocky Gale. Left-hander Chris Rearick was designated for assignment, making room for Gale on the 40-man roster.

First baseman Yonder Alonso (lower back tightness), catcher Derek Norris (left shoulder and elbow hyperextension) and right-hander Shawn Kelley (right forearm strain) all exited Tuesday's game against the Rangers, leaving the Padres shorthanded on the first day of expanded rosters.

A day later, the prognoses were largely positive.

"You’ll see those guys in the lineup before long," interim manager Pat Murphy said.

Alonso's injury already had been bothering him, though the first baseman didn't anticipate missing extended time. Brett Wallace, who'd recorded a hit in each of his last seven at-bats, started in Alonso's stead Wednesday.

Norris wasn't in the lineup Wednesday, either - backup catcher Austin Hedges was - but he was available to pinch-hit.

"He's definitely banged up but probably better than we anticipated," assistant general manager Josh Stein said. "It's the type of injury where if we weren't in September, it might not even require a stint on the disabled list. So we caught a break on that one."

Likewise, Kelley's injury has so far turned out to be less serious than originally feared. The reliever, who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries, immediately walked off the field after throwing a warm-up pitch in the seventh inning Tuesday.

"We're pretty fortunate it's not his elbow; it's kind of a nerve issue just down the side of his forearm," Stein said. "It's not in the portion of the forearm or close to the elbow where you get really concerned." 14

Stein said Kelley did not need to undergo an MRI. He did go through stress tests administered by team doctors.

"He's come through fine on those," Stein said. "He will be down for a few days, but again, it's not his elbow, which is good."

In the meantime, three more Triple-A players will receive an opportunity with the big- league club.

Dickerson, 25, is marking his second stint with the Padres. He was up for two games in August, going 1-for-2 at the plate, when then-Padres outfielder Will Venable was on paternity leave. Primarily playing left field, Dickerson hit .307 with 12 home runs and 71 RBIs in 125 games for El Paso. Tuesday, he was named the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year.

Dickerson has been dealing with a mild hip strain, but the Padres deemed him healthy enough to at least pinch-hit. Murphy said the left-handed hitter will fill that role.

Should Edwards make his Padres debut this series, he would face the same club that traded him and minor league catcher Marcus Greene Jr. for Venable last month. Edwards, 27, is a former outfielder who began his conversion to pitching in 2011. He made 20 big-league appearances for the Rangers between this year and last, compiling a 5.02 ERA in 14 1/3 innings. Dickerson and Edwards were named to the 2015 All-PCL team; the latter had a 1.23 ERA and 23 saves in 37 appearances between El Paso and Triple-A Round Rock.

Having dominated Triple-A, Edwards will need to prove his ability to command pitches at the major league level. He will begin by contributing in middle relief.

Gale, 27, will be making his major league debut. Regarded as a strong defensive catcher, he was drafted by the Padres in the 24th round in 2010 and has gone through every level of their system. He hit .307 with one home run and 39 RBIs in 102 games for El Paso. With Norris less than 100 percent, Gale provides another backup option.

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Rearick, 27, appeared in five games early this season for the Padres before being optioned to El Paso. He was designated for assignment Aug. 21, claimed off waivers by the Rangers on Aug. 26, DFA'd again and reclaimed by the Padres on Aug. 30.

Notable

• Stein said outfielder-first baseman Wil Myers (wrist) will play another rehab game Thursday with High Single-A Lake Elsinore before the Padres determine his next destination. Myers, who went 1-for-3 and played center field for Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, was back in the lineup Wednesday at first base. • The next step for right-hander Josh Johnson (Tommy John surgery) is a rehab assignment, Stein said. Johnson pitched in a simulated game Tuesday. Stein said the Padres would map out Johnson's upcoming assignment in "the next couple days."

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Minors: Hagerty homer sends El Paso to win Recapping the latest action from around the Padres' farm syste By Jeff Sanders | 8 a.m. Sept. 3, 2015 Jason Hagerty's fourth homer of the season arrived in the top of the 11th, sending Triple-A El Paso to a 2-1 victory over Las Vegas on Wednesday night. With the win, the Chihuahuas (74-64) moved back to within a half-game of division-leader Las Vegas (75-64). Hagerty finished with three hits in five at-bats, pushing his average to .292 on the season.

Hector Gomez (.375) went 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI and Rymer Liriano (.287) finished with two hits.

Right-hander Dale Thayer (2-0, 1.17) struck out three over two scoreless innings for the win and right-hander Jay Jackson (2.34) converted his 13th save with a perfect 11.

Right-hander Chris Smith (3.50) struck out seven and allowed a run on three hits and a walk in a no-decision.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (58-77)

• Missions 11, Midland 1: 3B Gabriel Quintana (.350) drove in three runs on two hits, including a double and his fourth homer since his promotion to the Texas League. 2B Diego Goris (.258) hit a grand slam for his fifth homer and RHP Stephen Kohlscheen (2.74) opened the game with an unearned run allowed in four innings in a no-decision. HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (47-88)

• Rancho Cucamonga 7, Storm 4: 1B Wil Myers (.167) went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his second rehab game. 3B Chase Jensen (.281) drove in two runs on two hits, including a double and RHP Matthew Shepherd (4-11, 5.84) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and four walks in six innings.

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LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (74-59)

• West Michigan 1, TinCaps 0: LHP Griffin Russell (1-1, 3.38) allowed an unearned run in two innings in relief after six shutout frames from RHP Pete Kelich (2.88). 1B Trae Santos (.266) doubled twice in four at-bats. SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (38-34)

• Dust Devils 1, Vancouver 0: LHP Will Headean (1-0, 0.00) struck out five over 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. 1B Nick Vilter (.230) doubled, walked and scored a run on a single from 2B Mitch Morales (.258)

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Dodgers matters: Slow going for Utley-Rollins Outside of Wednesday's homer, Utley has been quiet since Dodgers acquired him By Jeff Sanders | 5 a.m. Sept. 3, 2015 Dodgers matters: Slow going for Rollins-Utley

The Phillies' built their World Series contender -- and winner (2008) -- up the middle: In their combined 28 years in Philadelphia, shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Chase Utley totaled 449 homers, 1,803 RBIs and 595 steals between them.

Their reunion in Los Angeles, however, had yet to rekindle much of that magic until Utley's go-ahead homer in a 2-1 win over the Giants on Wednesday, securing the Dodgers' sweep of the defending World champs.

'Bout time?

Acquired in a waiver deal with the salary-dumping Phillies, the 36-year-old Utley entered Wednesday hitting .194/.293/.333 in his first 10 games as the injured Howie Kendrick's fill-in. He had driven in one run and had six strikeouts against two walks.

Though he has muscled up for 13 homers, the 36-year-old Rollins has been largely inconsistent as well since the Dodgers acquired him from the Phillies in December. He was hitting .222/.276/.359 with 41 RBIs.

TRENDING

• No-hit twice in a span of nine days, the Dodgers were averaging 2.91 runs per game over their last 11 games heading into Wednesday's series finale with the Giants. They owned a collective .217/.281/.329 batting line over that stretch, with Rollins hitting .191/.255/.298 with a team-high 11 strikeouts and C Yasmani Grandal stuck in an 0-for-18 funk with 10 strikeouts and three walks. • OF Andre Ethier is at least hitting. He had hits in nine of his last 22 at-bats (.409) and a .591 slugging percentage.

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KEY INJURIES

• On the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, Kendrick was still not able to run at full speed as of Sunday, according to MLB.com. RF Yasiel Puig, too, is nursing a hamstring strain that landed him on the disabled list over the weekend, as is CFEnrique Hernandez. • Included in Dodgers' three-team deal with Atlanta and Miami, RHP Bronson Arroyo (2014 Tommy John) could return to action this month.

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On deck: Mat Latos vs. Colin Rea Padres rookie hit hard in each of last two starts; Latos returning to Dodgers rotation By Jeff Sanders | 10 a.m. Sept. 3, 2015 THE SERIES

• at Padres • Game 1: 7:10 p.m. Thursday PROBABLE PITCHERS

Dodgers RHP Mat Latos (4-9, 4.76) • Skipped the last two turns in the rotation, the former Padres hurler is 0-2 with a 6.05 ERA in four starts since the Dodgers acquired him from Miami. He last started a game on Aug. 29 (4 2/3 IP, 2 ER). Padres RHP Colin Rea (2-2, 5.95) • The Padres 25-year-old rookie has allowed eight earned runs on 11 hits and four walks over his last nine innings, his first two losses. Opponents are hitting .299 against Rea in the majors. GAME 2

• Friday, 7:10 p.m.: Dodgers TBA vs. Padres RHP James Shields (10-6, 3.78) GAME 3

• Saturday, 5:40 p.m.: Dodgers TBA vs. Padres RHP Tyson Ross (10-9, 3.27) GAME 4

• Sunday, 1:10 p.m.: Dodgers TBA vs. Padres RHP Andrew Cashner (5-13, 4.15)

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In a season of disappointment, Wil Myers hopes for a good ending Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com MLB Sr. Writer When San Diego outfielder Wil Myers showed up for a rehab assignment with the in the Class A California League this week, it was with a two-pronged personal agenda: He's intent on salvaging something from a trying 2015 season, while putting it behind him as quickly and emphatically as possible.

It's been a disappointing summer for the Padres, who were a trendy postseason pick after general manager A.J. Preller's frenzied winter trade and free-agent spree. The Padres were 32-33 when they fired manager Bud Black in June, and they're 32-35 under his interim replacement, Pat Murphy. Any semblance of buzz surrounding the team faded months ago, and the Padres are playing out the string in a publicity vacuum with some conspicuous holes in their lineup.

No one on the roster has a greater desire to move on from 2015 than Myers, who arrived from Tampa Bay by trade in December and began the season as San Diego's center fielder and leadoff hitter. He got off to an encouraging start -- at the plate, anyway -- with a .277 batting average and .787 OPS in 148 at-bats. But he has appeared in only 35 games this season after wrist injuries limited him to 87 games last year.

Myers suffered a stress fracture in his right wrist in a collision with Tampa Bay teammate Desmond Jennings in 2014 and underwent surgery in June to remove a bone spur in his left wrist. He's been tagged with the label of "injury-prone" as a result, and he makes little effort to conceal his displeasure with the term.

"It's the worst," Myers said. "I see it on Twitter and I hear it all the time. Everybody is like, 'He's too injury-prone,' but it's not like I have a hamstring injury where every time I run, I'm cautious about it. I had a bone spur taken out, and once this heals I won't have to deal with this injury anymore.

"I hear people say, 'Just suck it up and go play.' Well, dude, I can't. I physically can't. It's that painful, where I can't be myself out there. But now it's starting to feel a little better. We have 20, 25 games left that I'll be back for, and I have to grind through it and get as healthy as I can in the offseason."

Myers, who turns 25 in December, is in a fraternity with Texas' Jurickson Profar, the Cubs' Javier Baez and other young players who've discovered the fickle nature of prospect worship. The bandwagon is full until injuries or other deficiencies become apparent and the early hype begins to fade. Even Bryce Harper encountered some doubters after injuries to his thumb and knee put a significant crimp in his numbers in 2014. Harper is back to full health this season and has responded with an MVP-worthy season in Washington at age 22.

If it comes as any consolation to Myers, a lot of major league talent evaluators have faith that he'll recover and eventually realize his potential as an impact bat. One National League scout compares him to Washington outfielder Jayson Werth, a former first-round draft pick of

22 the Baltimore Orioles who was dogged by wrist injuries early in his career and didn't blossom as a position player in Philadelphia until age 28.

"The industry realizes he's a special talent," Padres bench coach Dave Roberts said of Myers. "All players look to have an edge, and for him to hear that he's injury-prone or people gave up on him, it's kind of fueled his fire. All that aside, he's going to be a good major league player for a long time."

Myers has a likable, energetic cockiness about him, along with a restlessness that makes it impossible for him to sit still when he's on the disabled list. So it was a relief for him and the Padres when they were finally able to ship him out on a rehab assignment Tuesday. He's scheduled to play in Lake Elsinore through Thursday night and expects to rejoin the big club next week after the minor league season ends.

One pressing question is: Where will he play? Myers broke in as a catcher with the Kansas City organization before shifting to the outfield in his third professional season. The Padres moved him to center field and he graded out poorly in the new-age defensive metrics, logging a minus- 14 defensive runs saved according to Baseball Info Solutions' calculations.

The Padres are auditioning 2012 first-round pick Travis Jankowski in center field down the stretch and hoping he can stake a claim to the job in 2016. Myers could move to left field next season when Justin Uptondeparts through free agency. Or he could transition to first base, where the Padres might be in the mood for an upgrade after watching Yonder Alonso hit five home runs and slug .381 in his first 103 games. In five starts at first base with San Diego this season, Myers has found a comfort zone around the bag and impressed the Padres with his soft hands and nimble feet.

"I think he could be a Gold Glove first baseman," an NL scout said. "He's got a good arm and he's so athletic. He can really pick it."

For Myers, it's less a question of putting up big numbers upon his return to Petco Park than feeling comfortable in the batter's box. Three weeks of pain-free at-bats will clear his head and eliminate any apprehensions he might have when he dives into his offseason workout program back home in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"The last two years have been tough," Myers said. "It's been tough mentally. But I've never had a bad year in when I've been healthy all year. If I can come out and play 162 games at 100 percent, I know I can help a team out a lot."

When Myers hit 37 homers in the minors in 2012, numerous scouts took note of his power and 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame and slapped him with a "budding Dale Murphy" label. Three years and lots of growing pains later, that comparison seems even more unfair and premature. It's unreasonable to expect Myers to appear in every game and contend for an MVP award. If he can play 140-150 games and do a passable impression of the old Wil Myers, that should be more than good enough for the Padres.

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Moreland leads Rangers to 4-3 win over Padres in 10 innings Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- After being held out of the starting lineup for the entire series to rest, it was time for Mitch Moreland to step up.

Moreland, who struck out as a pinch hitter earlier in the game, delivered when he doubled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to help the surging to a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

Moreland's line drive down the right-field line off Bud Norris (1-1) scoredElvis Andrus, who had reached on a one-out single.

"I was happy to go up there my last at-bat," Moreland said. "I feel like I slowed it down a little bit and I got a good pitch."

The Rangers cut first-place Houston's lead in the AL West to two games. The Astros lost 8-3 to Seattle.

Texas, which has won nine of 12 games, retained its one-game lead over Minnesota for the second AL wild-card berth.

After the Rangers tied the score at 3-all in the eighth on Adrian Beltre's sacrifice fly, Moreland entered the game as a pinch hitter with two outs and runners at second and third. But Joaquin Benoit struck him out.

Texas also threatened in the ninth off Padres closer Craig Kimbrel, but he escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam by striking out pinch-hitter Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre. "It was a hard-fought game and it was a good win for us," Moreland said.

If the Rangers had not pulled out the three-game series by winning the final two, it would have been a tough start to a 10-game road trip, their longest of the season.

"It's been a good stretch and we've got a ways to go," Texas manager Jeff Banister said. "We've got to continue to play well and be on top of our game."

Sam Dyson (2-1) pitched two innings as the Rangers (70-62) went a season-high eight games over .500.

Beltre's sacrifice fly in the eighth spoiled a solid outing by Padres starterIan Kennedy, who tied his career high with 12 strikeouts, including the final five batters he faced.

Kennedy allowed two runs and five hits with two walks in seven innings.

"It goes back to fastball command," Kennedy said. 24

"It goes unnoticed how great he was," Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said. "Great performance, battling their No. 1."

Clint Barmes drove in three runs for San Diego, including a two-run double in the fourth inning off Cole Hamels. Barmes put the Padres ahead 3-2 in the sixth with a run-scoring groundout. The Padres have lost seven of 10 games.

Hamels, who is 9-2 with a 2.25 ERA against the Padres in 17 career starts, gave up three runs and eight hits over seven innings.

Beltre had an RBI double in the first and Chris Gimenez hit a solo homer for the Rangers. NOTABLE NUMBERS

Hamels made his 300th career start and has 1,895 strikeouts, third-highest among active pitchers behind Felix Hernandez (2,032) and Justin Verlander (1,898).

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: 1B Yonder Alonso (sprained lower back) and C Derek Norris (sore left arm) were out of the starting lineup. Alonso aggravated his existing back condition Tuesday night, while Norris' situation was the result of a collision with Beltre at the plate on Tuesday. ... RHP Shawn Kelley (right forearm strain), who left Tuesday's game, is expected to be out for 2 to 3 days. UP NEXT

Rangers: After a day off, LHP Martin Perez (2-3, 5.16 ERA) will start Friday night in the opener of a three-game set at the Los Angeles Angels. Perez was 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA in five August starts as he lowered his overall ERA from 10.50 to 5.16. Padres: RHP Colin Rea (2-2, 5.95 ERA) makes his fifth career start in the opener of a four-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. After winning his first two starts, the rookie has been pounded in his last two starts, giving up eight earned runs in nine innings.

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Dodgers-Padres Preview By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO (STATS Writer)10 hours agoAP - Sports

Superb pitching has the Los Angeles Dodgers pulling away in the NL West. Now, they'd like to start getting some quality efforts from Mat Latos.

Latos will try to pitch the Dodgers to their ninth win in 10 games Thursday night in the opener of this four-game series with the San Diego Padres.

Los Angeles (75-57) has one of the best staffs in baseball with a 3.37 ERA, but it's posted a 1.36 mark during an 8-1 stretch, more than offsetting the team's .229 batting average in those games.

The pitchers limited San Francisco to five total runs in a three-game sweep, extending the Dodgers' division lead to a season-high 6 1/2 games.

Clayton Kershaw tossed a six-hitter and matched a career high with 15 strikeouts Wednesday in a 2-1 win.

"We're a good team and we're starting to play like that day in and day out," Kershaw said. "We can't relax, we got to keep our foot on the gas pedal."

Kershaw and Zack Greinke are a combined 27-9 but all other Los Angeles starters have combined to go 23-25. Included in that is Latos' 0-2 mark and 6.06 ERA in four starts since joining the Dodgers.

Latos (4-9, 4.76 ERA) has failed to complete five innings in each of his last three outings, compiling an 8.10 ERA.

He came one out shy of going five Saturday, allowing two runs and four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The right-hander blamed the performance on a two-week layoff between starts.

"It was pretty tough not throwing for seven, eight days," he said, "especially against a team like that. I didn't really have my 'A' game."

Latos, a member of the Padres from 2009-11, is 0-2 with a 2.08 ERA in four career starts against his former team with all of them coming at Petco Park. He allowed three runs in six innings of a 3-2 loss July 26 in his final appearance for Miami.

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This is a very favorable matchup for Justin Upton, who is 10 for 20 with two homers, two doubles and a triple against Latos. Matt Kemp, though, is 3 for 22 with six strikeouts.

Adrian Gonzalez, another former Padre, is hitting .391 with six homers and 14 RBIs in the season series, helping the Dodgers win eight of 12 meetings.

The Padres (64-69) have lost seven of their last 10 games after winning seven of eight. They fell 4-3 in 10 innings to Texas on Wednesday.

Colin Rea (2-2, 5.95) tries to rebound from consecutive losses as he makes his fifth major league start.

After allowing five runs over 10 2-3 innings in his first two starts, the right-hander has been roughed up for 10 runs - eight earned - in nine innings in his past two. He permitted four runs, six hits and two walks over five-plus innings in a 4-3 loss at Philadelphia on Saturday.

"Colin is continuing to progress," manager Pat Murphy said. "There are a lot of good things he learned (Saturday). I think you look for little things that he learned. Jams that he was able to get out of like that (second inning) where he gave up two runs, let two more guys reach and then battle to get out of it."

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Rangers GM Predicts Preller Will Be A Winner September 2, 2015 | By Jay Paris

Never accuse young general managers of not being keen. When Tuesday’s lunch check arrived, A.J. Preller and Jon Daniels were slow with their reach. Instead, Don Welke, the Padres Vice President of Scouting Operations, drew the short straw.

“Don paid,” said Daniels, the Texas Rangers GM. “It had been a long time since that happened. There were cob webs on his wallet.”

The web of intrigue with Preller continues after the Padres GM plopped his stamp on the team with bold offseason moves. But as August morphs into September, it’s the same old song.

The Padres are bound for their fifth straight losing season. They’re also double-digit games out of first place, another tradition in these parts.

“They’re not buried,” Daniels explained. “They’re going to end up right around .500.”

That will take a late-season push and Daniels only has so much pull.

But these two GM whiz kids, both hailing from Cornell University, once shared offices with the Rangers. Preller was Daniels’ top assistant.

And like Preller has learned, Daniels knows it’s as tough batting 1.000 in the big chair as in the batter’s box.

“In my first year I’m the guy who traded Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young and didn’t get nearly enough in return,” Daniels said.

Padres fans still say ‘thank you’ for that one. There’s no other way to think about it as going the other way was Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka.

“And I didn’t sign Nelson Cruz,” Daniels said, piling on himself. “And now he leads the league in homers and he’s in our division.”

So the swings and misses aren’t restricted to those holding a bat.

“In this position you have to take the good and the bad,” Daniels said.

Padres slugger Matt Kemp, en route to 100 RBIs, has been the good — even with his dreadful start.

Craig Kimbrel has more saves than San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer in trying to retain the Chargers.

And the good-time funk Justin Upton brought has been a hoot; Derek Norris is a plus behind the plate.

But there’s a banged-up Wil Myers; an overpaid Melvin Upton, Jr. And at some point Preller realized a shortstop was required, right?

“Yes, but there’s a buzz about this club again,” Daniels said. “Some organizations go 12-15 years and they still don’t have that. You can feel the energy”

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‘ Even if Preller is feeling his way through his first true rookie season.

“There’s only one first time and you go from suggesting ideas to being the one making the decisions,” Daniels said.

Back when Dainels was stubbing his toe instead of putting it in the playoff race, he was summoned by then-owner Tom Hicks.

“He said, ‘I’ve made a lot of money making a couple of good moves. But I’ve made plenty of bad ones. If you believe in what you are doing, you have to stick with it,'” Daniels said.

That is Preller’s approach and, more importantly, he has the blessings of the Padres’ ownership.

“You’re not going to hit on all of them and that’s just the nature of it,” Daniels said. “But I think A.J. is going to be just fine.”

How so?

“Because nobody is going to out-work him,” Daniels said. “He is relentless.”

But he was docile at the trading deadline with a club that was going in circles.

“You don’t know what other people were offering,” Daniels countered. “It’s all about supply and demand.

“What are you going to do? Make a move just so you can say you made a move? You don’t do that if it doesn’t make sense. You make a move to help your organization.”

What’s needed for the Padres is a bump in the right direction. It hasn’t come yet under Preller’s watch, but Daniels predicts it will.

“It’s all about instant gratification but that’s not how it works,” Daniels said. “He’ll be fine.”

He just won’t pick up the check.

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