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Padres Press Clips Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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Jered Weaver again beat up in Padres' loss UT San Diego Sanders 2

Matt Szczur eager for opportunity as he joins Padres UT San Diego Sanders 3

On 's 57th birthday, fans miss 'the best ever' UT San Diego Hamblin 5

Tony Gwynn Memorial unveiled in Poway; hundreds turn out UT San Diego Jones 6

Poway dedicates Tony Gwynn statue, plaza UT San Diego Dryer 8

Cal Quantrill quality again for Storm UT San Diego Sanders 9

Perdomo, Padres face Darvish in Texas MLB.com Paris 11

Mr. Padre honored in nearby Poway with statue MLB.com Cassavell 12

Szczur: 'This is where I need to be' MLB.com Cassavell 13

Quantrill throws six solid innings MLB.com Rosenbaum 14

Padres blanked in lopsided rout MLB.com Cassavell/Paris 17

Cashner, Ross recall fond Padres memories MLB.com Paris 19

Remembering Gwynn on his 57th birthday Padres.com Center 20

Tony Gwynn Jr.'s Emotional Reaction to Dad's NBC 7 Strain 22 New Statue in Poway

Friars Split Series with Rangers NBC 7 Acosta 24

Padres, Rangers shift series to Texas AP AP Stats 24

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Jered Weaver again beat up in Padres' loss

BY: JEFF SANDERS

San Diego Union Tribune

May 9, 2017

The list of competitors for the Padres’ rotation battle was already more than a dozen deep when General A.J. Preller added 34-year-old Jered Weaver to the stable as position players reported to camp in February.

The price tag was a modest $3 million. The job for Weaver, without even an average major league fastball, was to eat innings, at the very least.

Weaver is no longer doing that.

The former All-Star allowed two more home runs Tuesday and didn’t pitch past the third inning for the first time in nearly three years. The Padres’ first whitewashing of the season, an 11-0 loss to the Rangers at Petco Park, left the bullpen in a lurch as the team boarded a flight for American League games at hitter- friendly venues in Texas and Chicago.

It also left Weaver contemplating what could be a brief Padres tenure at this rate.

“I know the nature of this business if it keeps going the way it is,” Weaver said after allowing seven runs on six hits, two walks and two hit batters in three innings. “I’m going to find myself on the couch here soon. That’s not going to stop me from grinding or competing. I feel bad that I haven’t been able to hold up my end of the bargain the last couple of starts.”

Weaver at least turned in five innings when he allowed a career-worst 10 runs — five earned — last week. Tuesday’s early exit forced manager Andy Green to burn through four relievers to record the final 18 outs, while former USD standout A.J. Griffin cruised to his second career shutout.

Craig Stammen and Kevin Quackenbush combined for four runs — three earned — allowed over four innings before Miguel Diaz and each pitched a scoreless frame to close the game.

Jarred Cosart’s expected activation from the disabled list Wednesday will provide some cover for the bullpen, but the more pressing question is whether it’s time to consider him when Weaver’s spot in the rotation comes up Sunday in Chicago.

Green spoke in generalities of Weaver’s leash (he meets with his staff after every game about every starting ). He admitted that he was concerned given Weaver’s recent trend: He has allowed 22 runs over his last 12 2/3 innings and has yielded seven of his NL-worst 14 homers in that stretch.

“The last few outings haven’t been great,” Green said after the Padres fell to 0-7 in Weaver’s starts. “I think he’d be the first person to tell you that. He’s had stretches last year that were rough and bounced back with a really good August. It’s happened. It happened last year.

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“Where he is now, he’s going to have to fight and we’re going to have to continue to get better outings.”

A three-time All-Star with the Angels, Weaver saw his velocity dip from the low 90s to the low 80s as his ERA ballooned from 2.41 in 2011 to to 5.06 in 2016, the final season of a 12-year stint in Anaheim.

The Long Beach State grad managed to open his Padres tenure with quality starts in three of his first four outings despite a penchant for giving up the long ball.

Then Weaver allowed a season-high three in 5 2/3 innings at Arizona. He allowed two more the next time out en route to yielding 10 runs in four innings last week against Colorado and was trailing 2-0 three batters into Tuesday’s start.

“I think it is consistency of command,” Green said of Weaver’s recent struggles. “The ability to throw any pitch in any count. That’s who he is when he’s successful. That’s flipping in off-speed early in the count and sneaking heaters by them when they think it’s an off-speed pitch. I think today, if I’m not mistaken, it was nine out of 10 fastballs to start the game.

“That didn’t play very well.”

Weaver hit a batter, gave up a to Elvis Andrus and then a two-run to Nomar Mazara to put the Padres in an early hole.

Then Ryan Rua crushed a hanging slider 411 feet to right-center for a three-run homer that opened up a 5- 0 lead. Two innings later, turned on a 70 mph curve for a 147-foot-high moon shot that brought out the boo birds among a season-low crowd of 14,224.

Weaver hit one more batter before striking out Griffin. He then pulled at his jersey while he walked off the field slowly as boos persisted, his ERA up to an unsightly 6.81 through his first 35 2/3 innings in San Diego.

“Nobody takes it harder than me,” Weaver said. “It’s been frustrating not being able to throw the ball the way I want to. I know it’s right around the corner. I can feel it. I’m going to keep going out there and grinding. I’m going to figure this thing out.”

He added: “I’m still here. If I keep doing what I’m doing, I’m not going to be here. I’m not blind to that. I’ve seen it happen over the years. It’s just something you have to keep a positive mindset, keep doing what I’m doing, and will myself through this process.” Matt Szczur eager for opportunity as he joins Padres

BY: JEFF SANDERS

San Diego Union Tribune

May 9, 2017

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Naturally, Matt Szczur was thrilled to have a part, however compartmentalized, in the Cubs ending their 108-year drought. Of course, the 27-year-old never made it onto any of their postseason rosters so news that Chicago was designating him for assignment brought a smile to his face.

Perhaps a more substantial role was awaiting him … somewhere.

“I loved being with the Cubs but I knew I needed to get out,” Szczur said after arriving Tuesday morning from Chicago. “My first reaction was I was happy to be honest. I was excited. I wasn’t playing very much. I loved the guys. They were awesome, but for my career, this is where I needed to be.”

Indeed, playing time in Chicago proved a rare occurrence.

Jason Heyward is being paid $28 million to roam right field when healthy. They’re committed long-term to Kyle Schwarber in left. The Cubs brought in veteran Jon Jay to play all three spots. and even bounce out there on occasion.

That’s left just 23 plate appearances for the right-handed Szczur over 15 games despite making the team’s opening day roster. A year after fashioning a .259/.312/.400 line over a career-high 200 plate appearances, Szczur was just 4-for-19 with a double, three RBIs, two walks and four in limited duty before the Padres acquired him Monday for minor leaguer Justin Hancock.

“I know I’ll have an opportunity to play at least more than I was doing in Chicago,” Szczur said before debuting with a groundout as a pinch-hitter and playing left field in Tuesday’s 11-0 loss. “That’s the plus side.”

A fifth-round draft pick in 2010 out of Villanova – where he played baseball and football – Szczur hit as many as 10 homers in 109 games at two A-ball stops in 2011. He swiped a career-high 42 bases in 113 games the next year while advancing to Double-A and is a career .281/.346/.386 hitter across parts of seven minor league seasons.

Nevertheless, the Cubs advancing their rebuild efforts never led to much of an opportunity to stretch his legs in the majors. In San Diego, he’ll get the opportunity to do just that in all three outfield spots while providing experience to a group short on veterans outside Erick Aybar (33) and first baseman (26).

Szczur is excited to do both – in his way.

“I'm not really a spoken leader,” Szczur said. “I try to lead by example. I would try to lead by hustling, by making plays. That, for me, would be the best thing I can do.”

DH plans

With with optioned to Triple-A El Paso before the game, the DH is certainly an opportunity to both get Szczur in the lineup this week and rest overworked regulars. Padres manager Andy Green said both Yangervis Solarte and Wil Myers are in line for DH duty over the next five days, while Cory Spangenberg will likely bounce to second base for a game or two.

Manuel Margot is also in line for a day off as Szczur has the athleticism to cover center field. The 22- year-old rookie has played in 34 games, tops in the NL.

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“I don’t think we have anyone sitting on the bench that’s a prototypical DH,” Green said. “So we’ll bounce it around.”

A ‘listless’ day

The Padres were down 5-0 before stepping into the batter’s box Tuesday. Former USD standout A.J. Griffin took over from there, scattering four hits — all singles — and one walk while striking out four in his first complete shutout since his his pre-Tommy John days with the Athletics.

“It was listless today offensively,” Green said. “I think what he did well on the mound was slow us down with that mid-60s curveball. The next thing you know we're not on the fastball. As a team when a pitcher is attacking us that way, we have a tendency to slow our bodies down to acclimate to the curveball and then the fastball gets right by us. That's been a consistent problem for us and he exposed it.”

Notable

Spangenberg extended his hitting streak to a career-high eight games with two of San Diego’s four hits off Griffin. He is hitting .298 (14-for-47) since he was recalled from Triple-A El Paso. Blash was 3-for-29 with one homer, one RBI and nine walks against 15 strikeouts in 38 plate appearances spread across 14 games with the Padres. Tuesday’s crowd of 14,224 was the lowest announced turnout since May 5, 2014 against the Royals (14,089). On Tony Gwynn's 57th birthday, fans miss 'the best ever'

BY: ABBY HAMBLIN

San Diego Union Tribune

May 9, 2017

Hometown hero Tony Gwynn was born on May 9, 1960, and 57 years later to the day, locals and baseball fans everywhere celebrated his birthday, his life and his many contributions to baseball and the San Diego region.

Tuesday was a particularly special day in Poway, where Mr. Padre lived for decades. There, an 11-foot- tall bronze statue was unveiled before friends, family and fans.

After a battle with cancer, Gwynn passed away in 2014 after working as San Diego State’s baseball , where he starred in baseball and basketball as a collegian. But he was most defined by his legendary career with the Padres, which prompted enough accolades to run off the end of this web page.

His legacy lives on through his beloved family — including his son Tony Gwynn Jr., who became a Padres commentator this year — and in tributes around town. There’s even a local favorite craft beer, Alesmith’s San Diego Pale Ale .394, named for his career-high batting average.

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Gwynn’s memory was treasured on social media on Tuesday as fans and admirers across the country celebrated his birthday.

The Padres, the organization, San Diego State University baseball and media companies associated with the game posted their own tributes. Tony Gwynn Memorial unveiled in Poway; hundreds turn out

BY: HARRY JONES

San Diego Union Tribune

May 9, 2017

Near the end of his tremendous baseball career, Tony Gwynn was entertaining offers to go to other clubs, places where he might have one more legitimate chance to win a championship.

Tony Gwynn Jr., then 17, was pushing hard for his dad to leave. But his father was loyal to San Diego, the Padres and his adopted hometown of Poway, where he had lived for nearly 30 years.

“I totally get it now,” an emotional Gwynn Jr. said Tuesday as nearly 500 people crowded around a newly built plaza at Lake Poway for the dedication and unveiling of the Tony Gwynn Memorial, an 11-foot bronze statue of his late father. “This wouldn’t have been nearly as meaningful if he had left, even for that one year.”

The statue — which shows Gwynn as a young player holding his 3-year-old daughter in one arm while waving to a crowd with his other — honors not just the great ballplayer but Gwynn as a family man, neighbor and friend to so many.

“In my 60 years in broadcasting there’s been only a very few who matched athletic greatness with extraordinary human goodness,” said legendary sports broadcaster Dick Enberg, one of the speakers during a 45-minute ceremony. “John Wooden was one, and so was Tony.”

Gwynn died from cancer on June 16, 2014. Tuesday’s ceremony was held on what would have been his 57th birthday.

“I know he’s looking down, shining on us,” his wife, Alicia, said. “This is where he lived. This is where he loved and this is where he always wanted to be.”

Gwynn Jr. said he remembered fishing on the lake with his Dad.

“This takes me back quite a few years now to my time at Poway High,” he said. “That was really the first time my dad got to see me athletically. I’d see him up in the bleachers taping every basketball game. It was really the only time he could see me because once baseball season came around he was obviously doing his job, playing for the Pads.”

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Gwynn was the greatest hitter in Padres history. He won the batting title eight times and finished his Hall of Fame career with 3,141 hits.

Anisha Gwynn, who is depicted in her father’s arms in the statue created by Texas sculptor Seth Vandable, said she and Gwynn had a special relationship.

“The Gwynn family is not an easy family to be a part of because it’s filled with high-achievers,” she said. “My dad was always the person who reassured me who I am and where I come from. That is what this monument represents for me … all the values and everything I’ve gotten from my mom and my dad.”

The Tony Gwynn Memorial was first talked about by the Poway City Council a short time after Gwynn’s death.

Giving little direction, they asked city staff to come up with an appropriate tribute. More than a year later a proposal to put a plaque on a rock was brought forward. It wasn’t even considered.

They wanted something “grander.”

Mayor Steve Vaus said he was sure that if asked the community would give all the money needed to create a special piece of art without costing taxpayers a cent.

In the end, nearly $200,000 was raised in cash donations ranging from $5 to $25,000 and more than $100,000 in labor, design and building materials was donated by more than a dozen companies.

Roughly 200 artists asked to be considered. From that list seven were brought in to present their concepts before an arts jury that included Alicia and Anisha Gwynn and Vaus.

Vaus said Vandable was the first to give a presentation. When the rendering was put up on a screen, Vaus said, you could feel the air get sucked out of the room. People began to cry, he said.

“When I saw Seth’s design I knew the competition was over for me,” Vaus said.

Vandable worked with the Gywnn family and others while creating the statue.

He said it was an honor to “have a small part” in what was happening and said hopefully the Gwynn family sees the memorial “for what it is — Tony embracing family.”

Vandable said he believes that no singular image can define a person, and “that wasn’t the goal.”

“The real goal is to be able to come to his place, this plaza, and reflect on a fond memory of Tony, to have some interaction with him as a ballplayer, as a father, as a friend, as a neighbor,” he said. “If it brings back a cherished memory then it was a success.”

Many in attendance Tuesday came from all over the county, some wearing Gwynn Padres jerseys.

“We’ve been big Padre and Tony Gwynn fans for years,” said Robert Cooper. “We’ve lived in Poway since the time he started with the Padres.”

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Cooper’s wife, Maggie, said she remembers watching spring training games in Yuma years ago. “I always tell the story of how (Manager) would have to yell at Tony to get out on the field because he got tied up signing autographs for all the kids.”

Enberg said one day a few years back when he was working with Gwynn on a broadcast he asked him if he ever got tired of the public always wanting to shake his hand, pat him on the back, or sign something.

“Tony said, ‘My goal is everybody in San Diego County that wants my autograph will get one.’”

Alicia Gwynn said the memorial is a testament to her husband as well as the city that made him its own.

“I miss my husband, I really do,” she said. “You, the community, have really supported us and loved us and helped us get through this all…. Poway is my home and I will be here until it is time for me to go.” Poway dedicates Tony Gwynn statue, plaza

BY: STEVEN DRYERS

San Diego Union Tribune

May 9, 2017

What would have been Tony Gwynn’s 57th birthday was celebrated Tuesday with the unveiling and dedication of a Lake Poway statue and plaza honoring the baseball player, family man and community member.

The 11-foot-tall bronze statue by Texas artist Seth Vandable shows a Gwynn in his uniform tipping his cap with his left hand and holding his young daughter on his right hip. The statue is the centerpiece of a baseball-shaped concrete plaza near the park’s and concession stand. A donor wall lists the names of those who contributed over $190,000 toward the monument’s costs. Also recognized are businesses that donated an estimated $108,000 in goods and services.

“If it brings back a cherished memory, then the piece is successful,” Vandable told several hundred people who attended the Tuesday morning ceremony under cloudy skies.

Gwynn spent all 20 years of his career as a Padre, earning eight batting championships, five Golden Glove awards for his defense and 15 All-Star selections. He raised his family in Poway and was often spotted attending a game at Poway High School or shopping at a local market. After retiring in 2001 he served as head baseball coach at his alma mater, San Diego State University, until succumbing to cancer in 2014. In 2007 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Last year the annual award given to the National League player with the highest batting average was named in his honor.

But Gwynn was much more than an outstanding baseball player, legendary sports broadcaster Dick Enberg reminded the dedication crowd. Gwynn, he said, was a “great hearted” individual who loved his family and the Poway community. Enberg, also a Hall of Fame member, recounted a day when he and Gwynn were walking toward the Petco Park broadcast booth and how people wanting Gwynn’s autograph were slowing the pace. Later, when Enberg asked Gwynn if he ever tired of signing, Gwynn replied “My goal is for everyone in San Diego County wanting an autograph to get one.” 8

“I know that Tony is looking down today and is smiling,” said John Boggs, Gwynn’s longtime friend and agent. He said that Vandable’s statue showing him holding his now-grown daughter, Anisha, was appropriate because “Tony’s love of family was off the charts.” Boggs said there was talk of “Mr. Padre” leaving the Padres near the end of his career, perhaps for a contending team, but that Gwynn knew that would not happen.

“San Diego was always in his heart,” Boggs said. “The San Diego Padres were always number one.”

Gwynn’s son, Tony Jr., recalled he was 17 when his father toyed with the idea of leaving for another team. He said he urged his father – daily – to do so. It wasn’t until he watched his father enter the Hall of Fame that he said he understood loyalty.

“I totally get it now,” he said.

Mayor Steve Vaus emceed the event. Of the statue and plaza he asked, “What better way to honor a life well lived?”

Alicia and Anisha Gwynn also spoke, thanking the Poway community for its support both now and when their husband and father was alive.

“Poway is my home,” Alicia said. “It will be my home … until God calls me home.”

The path leading to Tuesday’s dedication started in June 2014 when the City Council asked the Community Services Department to come up with a design for a tribute to Gwynn. A modest, initial proposal called for a bronze plaque on a large boulder. That idea was rejected a few months later.

In October 2015 the council hired a consultant to shepherd the process through the design and construction phases. A nationwide call for interested artists was put out in January 2016 and resulted in nearly 200 applications. The list was narrowed down to seven finalists, whose proposals were reviewed by a panel including Gwynn family members, local art experts and Vaus.

On Tuesday, Vaus said Vandable’s proposal was the first of seven to be considered by the panel. He recalled that when a slide of a clay model was put up on the screen, “I swear, all the air went out of the room … it was a snapshot of Tony’s life.”

At the end of the ceremony small replicas of the statue, called “maquettes,” were presented to top donors Alexander and Heather Favelukis, Alexander and Amber Pellegrino and Swinerton Builders. Another was given to the Gwynn family. Vaus offered a fourth maquette to anyone willing to donate $10,000 toward plaza maintenance costs. “Within 30 seconds,” he said, the offer was accepted by Poway residents Bill and Tina Howe. Cal Quantrill quality again for Storm

BY: JEFF SANDERS

San Diego Union Tribune

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May 9, 2017

Cal Quantrill continued his roll Tuesday night.

The Padres’ top pick in the 2016 draft, the 22-year-old right-hander turned in his third straight quality start in a no-decision in high Single-A Lake Elsinore’s 5-0 win over visiting Stockton.

Quantrill struck out five and scattered four hits and a walk over six innings, lowering his ERA to 2.70. He has allowed four earned runs over his last 23 1/3 innings since allowing five earned runs in five innings on April 13.

For the season, Quantrill is 3-1 with 39 strikeouts and nine walks in 33 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters had a .258 average against Quantrill entering Tuesday’s day.

Right-hander Zech Lemond (1-1, 2.89) turned in two scoreless innings in relief for the win.

Ty France (.272) and Austin Allen (.279) each drove in two runs on one hit, Michael Gettys (.234) went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, his ninth steal and two runs scored and Ruddy Giron (.206) went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Storm improved to 15-17 with the win.

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (16-17)

Chihuahuas 8, Nashville 6: 3B Christian Villanueva (.133) went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, C Rocky Gale (.268) went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and RF Collin Cowgill (.242) doubled in two runs. CF Franchy Cordero (.246) went 2-for-5 with a triple, a walk and a run scored. RHP Walker Lockett (5.50) struck out seven and allowed four runs and RHP Christian Bethancourt (1-0, 21.00) allowed two runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning to blow the save. Bethancourt earned the win when El Paso scored two in the top of the ninth. RHP Jason Jester (4.50) struck out a batter in the ninth to earn his first save. DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (18-14)

Missions 6, Corpus Christi 4 (10): 2B Noah Perio (.245) went 3-fo-4 with four runs scored, RF Franmil Reyes (.296) drove in two runs on three hits, including a double, and 1B Fernando Perez (.227) went 3- for-3 with an RBI and a walk. RHP Michael Kelly (3.93) allowed three runs – two earned – on five hits and a walk in six innings in a no-decision. LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (11-21)

Wisconsin 5, TinCaps 2: LHP Logan Allen (1-2, 2.17) struck out five and allowed three runs on four hits and three walks in five innings. RHP Mark Zimmeran (5.65) allowed two runs over the final two innings. 1B Brad Zunica (.224) went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored and 2B Eguy Rosario (.224) walked twice and stole two bases, giving him nine steals on the season. Pitcher of the Week

RHP Brett Kennedy was named the Texas League’s pitcher of the week after striking out 10 over 13 scoreless innings. He won both starts, walked only two and limited opposing hitters to a .159 batting average.

The 23-year-old is 2-1 with a 4.94 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 27 1/3 innings.

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Transaction

LHP Thomas Dorminy was transferred from extended spring training to Double-A San Antonio, which was down a pitcher after RHP Justin Hancock was traded to the Cubs in the Matt Szczur deal.

Perdomo, Padres face Darvish in Texas

BY: JAY PARIS

MLB.com

May 9, 2017

The teams are the same, just not the location. The home-and-home Interleague series between the Rangers and Padres switches venues on Wednesday, with the next two games at Texas.

The Rangers' (3-2, 2.76 ERA) starts the first game of the team's eight-game homestand, facing the Padres' Luis Perdomo (0-0, 4.03 ERA) in a battle of right-handers.

Full Game Coverage

Darvish has gone up against the Padres once, working eight innings and allowing two runs in a win in 2012. He has thrown at least 110 pitches in each of his past three starts.

"This is a big strong individual, and yes, he has had Tommy John [surgery] before," Rangers manager said. "He has worked his way back. He is into, I think, a part of the stage that he can go with those types of pitch counts. I think he feels very comfortable with it."

Perdomo, meanwhile, has developed into more of a complete pitcher this season after he spent 2016 relying heavily on one pitch. This year, he's added a sharp slider as a complement, and he's used it to finish at-bats -- a big reason his rate has jumped to 19 percent.

"I'm using it a lot more, putting more focus on it, just because the pitch is a lot better than it was last year," Perdomo said. "Just a lot more consistency and a lot more confidence."

Things to know about this game

• Despite his 2.76 ERA, Darvish has seen a drop in strikeout rate (31.7 percent to 25.6 percent) and a rise in walk rate (7.5 percent to 11.7 percent) compared with the 2016 season. Opponents are swinging and missing less frequently (10.5 percent, down from 14.0 percent) and chasing out of the zone less frequently (24.8 percent, down from 30.2 percent).

• Perdomo, who has worked at least five innings in each of his four starts this year, has never faced the Rangers.

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•The Padres last visited the Rangers in 2015, and they took two of three games.

• Darvish has fared well against National League teams, going 7-2 with a 2.09 ERA. Mr. Padre honored in nearby Poway with statue

BY: AJ CASSAVELL

MLB.com

May 9, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- On what would have been his 57th birthday, Tony Gwynn's enduring legacy was honored in Poway, Calif., with the unveiling of a statue that served as a tribute to his life as a father and as a baseball player.

The Hall of Fame , fondly known as Mr. Padre, passed away from cancer in June 2014. On Tuesday, the city of Poway unveiled a statue in his honor. The 11-foot-high tribute shows Gwynn in his Padres uniform, tipping his cap with his left arm while clutching his daughter, Anisha, in his right arm.

"I want to say thank you to everybody who has contributed, everybody who was involved," said Tony Gwynn Jr. during an emotional speech at the unveiling ceremony. "It takes me back, now quite a few years ago, to my time at Poway High. ... This community meant so much to him as well as the rest of us in our family."

Gwynn Jr. recited several stories about his father, including his recount of Gwynn's final contract negotiations with the Padres. The younger Gwynn, then in high school, said he couldn't understand why his father wanted to remain in San Diego so badly when there was potentially more money and better chances to win elsewhere. It wasn't until years later that Gwynn Jr. said he fully understood.

Gwynn Sr. would finish his career having spent all 20 of his big league seasons in San Diego, with whom he accumulated 3,141 hits.

"He showed me what was right and what was the right thing to do in that situation," Gwynn Jr. said.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Enberg gave an introductory speech at the unveiling, before the Gwynn family -- Tony Jr., his wife Alicia and daughter Anisha -- all spoke.

Poway residents and businesses donated the money for the tribute statue, a gesture which meant a lot to Alicia Gwynn.

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"This was Tony's home," Alicia Gwynn said. "This was my home. I find it very fitting that he has a statue at Lake Poway. ... So thank you from the bottom of my heart for how you made this happen." Szczur: 'This is where I need to be'

BY: AJ CASSAVELL

MLB.com

May 9, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- In one sense, it wasn't easy for Matt Szczur to say goodbye to the Cubs. Drafted in 2010, it was the only organization he had ever known. The 27-year-old outfielder won a World Series there, and he witnessed the complete turnaround of a franchise that finished in last place during his rookie season in '14.

In another sense, it was certainly easy for Szczur to say hello to the Padres. There wasn't much playing time available for him in Chicago. Szczur was out of options, and when the Cubs designated him for assignment on Saturday, the Friars jumped at the chance to acquire him.

Full Game Coverage

San Diego dealt Minor League righty Justin Hancock to Chicago in exchange for Szczur, and optioned outfielder Jabari Blash to Triple-A El Paso to clear room before Tuesday's game. Szczur entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning of the Padres' 11-0 loss and grounded out in his first at-bat with his new club.

"I loved being with the Cubs," said Szczur, whose name is pronounced like Caesar. "But I knew I needed to get out. My first reaction was that I was excited, to be honest with you. I wasn't playing very much. I love the guys, they were awesome. But for my career, this is where I need to be -- with someone who's going to give me an opportunity."

The Padres will do exactly that. It's not quite clear what specific role Szczur will play with San Diego, but he'll likely see time at all three outfield spots, playing on a fairly regular basis.

"It's a great opportunity," Szczur said. "I'm excited to be here. Tough to leave the Cubbies, having been with them for seven years. This opportunity has opened doors, and I'm very excited about it."

In parts of four big league seasons, Szczur is batting .243/.295/.370. He was 4-for-19 before the Cubs made their decision to part ways with him this past weekend.

"Everybody in Chicago raves about the type of person he is," said Padres manager Andy Green. "On the baseball field, he's really athletic, flies around the field. ... He's a really competitive, hard- nosed-type baseball player that's been waiting for his opportunity to play more consistently. In 13

Chicago, that never really came for him. I think he really did a great job embracing his role over there as the 25th guy. But I think he's hungry for more."

The Padres are eager to put Szczur's on-field talents to use. But they also see value in adding him as a clubhouse presence. Two days ago, when the possibility of a trade arose, they approached Clayton Richard, Szczur's teammate in Chicago. Richard raved about Szczur's makeup.

Szczur has already been part of one youth movement. He was in the Cubs organization well before , Kris Bryant and Jake Arrieta.

"He's part of a group that has played some big games, played in some big spots," said Padres general manager A.J. Preller. "He's also been part of a build. He was drafted [in the] 2010 season, saw some lean years, then rode it through to be a part of a championship club."

Added Szczur: "I hope I can bring leadership. That's what I would like to do. But I'm not really a spoken leader. I try and lead by example. I enjoy and try to lead by hustling, making plays, and that would be the best thing I can do." Quantrill throws six solid innings

BY: MIKE ROSENBAUM

MLB.com

May 9, 2017

A pair of 19-year-old prospects were at the forefront of Double-A Mississippi's 9-1 victory over Mobile on Tuesday night, as Ronald Acuna paced the M-Braves at the plate, while Kolby Allard took care of business on the mound.

Playing in his first game for Mississippi after being promoted from Class A Advanced Florida early on Tuesday, Acuna, the Braves' No. 7 prospect, announced his arrival with a in his first at-bat, depositing the first pitch he saw over the wall in left-center field for a two-run shot. The No. 92 overall prospect would tally two more hits to finish 3-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a .

Acuna was promoted to Mississippi after just 28 games in the Florida State League. He batted .287/.336/.478 during his time with the Firefrogs, with 11 extra-base hits including three home runs and 14 steals.

Allard (3-1), meanwhile, tossed six innings of one-run ball to record his third straight win for the M-Braves. The Braves' No. 3 prospect (No. 46 overall) threw 58 of his 91 pitches for strikes, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

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Allard has been anything but overmatched this season in the Southern League, despite making the jump directly from the Class A level. He's completed six frames in four of his seven starts this season, none of which have seen the teenage southpaw allow more than two earned runs.

After Tuesday's gem, Allard's ERA and WHIP sit at 1.38 and 0.95, through 39 innings.

The rest of the best performances from top prospects Tuesday

• No. 12 overall prospect Brendan Rodgers (Rockies' No. 1) belted a go-ahead in the seventh inning for Class A Advanced Lancaster, only to have it erased as Modesto rallied for five unanswered runs to win, 15-13. It was the second career grand slam as well as the second homer of the season for the 20-year-old shortstop, who finished the game with three runs scored and five RBIs in a 3-for-5 effort. He's now tallied 14 RBIs in 14 games, while hitting .373 with eight extra-base hits in that span.

Rodgers wasn't the only JetHawk to homer in the victory, as Sam Hilliard (Rockies' No. 30) went deep twice in a 3-for-6, three-RBI performance. The 23-year-old outfielder has hit five of his six homers in his past five games, during which he has 11 hits and 12 RBIs. He's batting .376 on the season, with 28 RBIs in 30 games.

• No. 13 overall prospect Michael Kopech (White Sox No. 3) yielded one earned run in six innings for Double-A Birmingham in a win over Pensacola. The flame-throwing righty threw a season-high 102 pitches (63 strikes), as he allowed two hits (including a solo homer), two walks, fanned six and generated seven ground-ball outs. Kopech, 21, has completed six frames in three straight starts for the Barons.

• No. 50 overall prospect Triston McKenzie (Indians' No. 3) set a career high as he struck out 14 of the 19 batters he faced in six scoreless innings to pace the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats in a 4-1 win over Carolina. The 19-year-old righty threw 63 of his 92 pitches for strikes, allowing one hit and one walk. McKenzie struck out the side in three of his six frames in the outing -- his first six outs were strikeouts as well as his last five -- and finished with eight swinging strikeouts. Overall, McKenzie has pitched to a 1.95 ERA this season, with 44 strikeouts and 20 hits allowed in 32 1/3 innings.

"My command was great and everything was really working out there," McKenzie told MiLB.com. "I used the changeup intermittently to keep the hitters off balance. I mean, I'm definitely not keeping count of how many strikeouts I have while I'm on the mound, although I knew I had tallied a decent amount. But I was a little surprised when they told me how many I had when I was done."

• No. 55 overall prospect Dominic Smith (Mets' No. 2) drove in three runs on four hits to power Triple-A Las Vegas to a win over Albuquerque. Two of those hits were doubles, and the 21-year- old first baseman also scored three runs in a 4-for-5 performance that improved his season average to .326.

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"I was trying to be very aggressive," Smith told MiLB.com. "One of my tendencies is that I like to take the first few pitches. Over the last few days, they've been coming with first-pitch fastballs and then coming back with breaking balls. I wanted to get ahead of that and hit good pitches. I faced [Matt Flemer] last week and had an idea what he'd try to do to get me out. Guys have been trying to get ahead with the fastball, so I [handled] that differently today."

• No. 81 overall prospect Raimel Tapia (Rockies' No. 5) matched Smith's big game by going 4- for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored for Albuquerque. The 23-year-old extended his hitting streak to 15 games with the multi-hit performance, his 10th in his past 12 games. He now leads all Pacific Coast League hitters with a .405 average.

• No. 88 overall prospect Cal Quantrill (Padres' No. 2) turned in his third consecutive six-inning start for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore. The 22-year-old righty didn't permit a run in the outing, allowing four hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Quantrill owns a 1.54 ERA across his last four starts, during which he's punched out 28 batters in 23 1/3 frames.

• A's No. 8 prospect Logan Shore was unhittable as he worked a season-high five innings in a no- decision for Class A Advanced Stockton. The 2016 second-rounder threw 44 of his 68 pitches for strikes, compiling five strikeouts and two walks before departing the game.

• Brewers' No. 29 prospect Trey Supak established a new career high in strikeouts for a third straight start as he fanned 11 en route to his first win with Class A Wisconsin. The 20-year-old righty threw 60 of his 90 pitches for strikes, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings. In his two previous turns, Supak had registered eight and nine strikeouts. He's posted a 2.40 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 30 innings (six games/five starts) this season, all the while holding opposing hitters to a .158 clip.

• Cardinals' No. 10 prospect Junior Fernandez needed just 97 pitches (65 strikes) to go the distance for Class A Advanced Palm Beach -- his first complete game in 42 career starts. The 20- year-old righty permitted one earned run on five hits in his nine-inning gem, also notching six strikeouts to match his season high.

• Cubs' No. 12 prospect Victor Caratini is hitting .361 after his second straight four-hit game for Triple-A Iowa. He's 8-for-9 with one home run, two doubles and five RBIs in those contests, raising his average 48 points in the process.

• Indians' No. 21 prospect Aaron Civale tallied seven strikeouts in seven scoreless innings as Class A Lake County shut out Beloit, 1-0. The 2016 third-rounder allowed just two hits, throwing 65 of his 89 pitches for strikes in the outing. In seven starts totaling 41 1/3 innings, Civale, 21, has posted a 2.83 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP and a 41-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

"I pitch to contact and let my defense do the work," Civale told MiLB.com. "They played good behind me. We didn't score too many runs, but I just tried to keep us in the game so we had a chance to win. We were short on bullpen arms, so I wanted to get as many innings as I could to give them a break."

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• Reds' No. 11 prospect Vladimir Gutierrez struck out a career-best 10 batters as he won for the third time in as many starts for Class A Advanced Daytona. The 21-year-old Cuban righty, whom Cincinnati signed for $4.75 million last September, worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk. After struggling early, Gutierrez has pitched to a 1.61 ERA, with 33 strikeouts and one walk, over his past 22 1/3 innings (four starts). Padres blanked in lopsided rout

BY: AJ CASSAVELL & JAY PARIS

MLB.com

May 9, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- A.J. Griffin knows a thing or two about pitching with a lead, and the Rangers gave him a rather large one to work with Tuesday in an 11-0 victory over the Padres at Petco Park.

Griffin -- an El Cajon, Calif., native who attended the University of San Diego -- pitched the second shutout of his career in his first appearance at his hometown ballpark. He allowed just four singles and struck out four, improving to 29-0 in his career when given at least four runs of support.

"I like to win anywhere we go, but to be able to go out there and compete at this level is a blessing any time you can do it,'' Griffin said. "And my parents didn't have to go too far to see me."

The Rangers needed all of 15 minutes to give that kind of boost to Griffin on Tuesday. Nomar Mazara opened the scoring with a two-run double in the first, and Ryan Rua blasted a three-run homer three batters later.

"Our guys did a helluva job getting me a decent lead in the first inning,'' Griffin said. "Then I just tried not to mess it up."

The offensive outburst added up to yet another early exit for Padres starter Jered Weaver. He allowed seven runs over three innings and has conceded 22 runs over his past three starts. Joey Gallo also took Weaver deep with a towering drive in the third -- the 14th homer allowed by the veteran right-hander this season, the most in the Majors.

"Nobody takes [the loss] harder than me," Weaver said. "It's been frustrating, not being able to throw the ball the way I want to. … I know the nature of this business. If it keeps going the way it is, I might find myself on a couch here soon."

The Rangers would tack on three more in the seventh off Padres reliever Kevin Quackenbush -- including a pair on Robinson Chirinos' line-drive home run into the left-field seats.

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"Our guys, up and down the lineup, were dedicated with their approaches,'' Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.

The Padres' bats, meanwhile, never threatened, as only two runners reached second base. They were shut out for the first time this season, though reliever Craig Stammen tossed two strong innings, yielding just one unearned run.

"It was listless today, offensively," said Padres manager Andy Green. "What [Griffin] did well on the mound was slow us down with a mid-60s curveball. Next thing you know, we're not on the fastball at all."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

High Five: The scuffling, slumbering, struggling -- pick your adjective -- Rangers offense bolted from the gate with a five-run first inning. That was only one fewer run than the Rangers had scored in their three previous games, all losses. The big blow off a staggering Weaver was Rua's three-run blast off an 80-mph slider, which traveled 426 feet.

Rally starters: Texas' opening rally started inconspicuously. Weaver plunked Shin-Soo Choo with a 3-2 fastball to start the game. Then Elvis Andrus poked a soft blooper just out of the reach of Padres Ryan Schimpf. From there, the floodgates opened. Choo reached base four times, despite only recording one hit.

QUOTABLE

"If I keep doing what I'm doing, I'm not going to be here. I'm not blind to that. I've seen it happen over the years. It's just something, that I've got to keep a positive mindset … and get myself through this process." -- Weaver

CORDOBA'S INJURY SCARE

With one out in the third, Padres shortstop Allen Cordoba lofted a bloop single to right that careened off Choo's glove. Cordoba hustled toward second, but Choo recovered, and his throw was just in time. Cordoba appeared to injure his left shoulder when he slid into the leg of Rougned Odor. He would remain in the game, though he made two errors in the next half inning.

The Padres opted to challenge the call, believing that Cordoba's hand reached the bag before the tag was applied. But the call stood after review.

TACO TUESDAY

How does an All-Star pitcher contribute when on the disabled list? Texas southpaw Cole Hamels, a San Diego native, passed along his favorite taco shop to the Rangers' traveling party: El Indio was his recommendation.

WHAT'S NEXT 18

Rangers: Yu Darvish opens an eight-game homestand in Texas as this Interleague series with the Padres continues on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. CT on MLB.TV. Darvish has won his only start against the Padres, but San Diego took two of three when it last visited in Texas in 2015.

Padres: Luis Perdomo has added a sharp slider to his arsenal this season, complementing an already effective sinker. He gets the ball Wednesday as the scene shifts to Texas for two games. First pitch is slated for 5:05 p.m. PT on MLB.TV. Cashner, Ross recall fond Padres memories

BY: JAY PARIS

MLB.com

May 9, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- The boys were back in town, and the Padres knew it. The traffic behind the batting cage proved it.

Rangers Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross returned to San Diego for the two-game Interleague series Monday and Tuesday, and with it came a reunion. They were once integral parts of the Padres' blueprint toward respectability.

Full Game Coverage

Cashner, a right-hander with a power arm, was the key piece in a 2012 trade with the Cubs for Anthony Rizzo. Ross, another righty with a wipeout sinker, was the Padres' Opening Day starter in '16.

Neither Cashner nor Ross is with the Padres anymore, but their connections remain strong.

"It's great to see all the friends on that side," said Ross, who's recovering from shoulder and back issues. "I miss those guys a lot."

Cashner (0-3, 2.63 ERA) missed facing San Diego by a day, starting on Sunday in Seattle. He was traded to the Marlins by the Padres in July, then he landed as a free agent with the Rangers.

"I thought it was good," Cashner said about his five-year San Diego stint. "I got to do a lot of stuff here in the community, a lot of stuff with [Rady] Children's Hospital."

Two Padres coaches are still meaningful to Cashner. Pitching coach Darren Balsley remains with the club, while former manager Bud Black is now the Rockies' skipper.

"I still look at Darren Balsley as a dad," Cashner said. "And when Bud Black was here, he was a friend."

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Padres manager Andy Green had Ross and Cashner under his wing. He smiles when their names are mentioned.

"They're both great guys," Green said.

Ross' final year with the Padres was baffling, despite his popularity. After Ross made his first start, he was sidelined with a sore shoulder. It was the final game Ross pitched for San Diego, as he ultimately had to undergo thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He then signed as a free agent with Texas, and he is working his way back into shape.

"I'm hopeful that guy gets on a mound," Green said. "You talk about wanting to see good people experience good things. It's been a rough last year, year and a half, for a guy that cares a lot about pitching and pitching well."

All is well when the gang is all here, and that was the feeling with Ross and Cashner exchanging salutations with their former teammates.

"It was great here," Ross said. "It definitely was a place where I was able to blossom. I learned a lot from Balsley. I have a lot of great friends and memories. It was a great experience overall, and just a great community.

"San Diego is an unbelievable city, I've always said that. And I was fortunate to be here for a number of years." Remembering Gwynn on his 57th birthday

BY: BILL CENTER

Padres.com

May 9, 2017

Tony Gwynn would have been 57 today.

I still can't believe we lost Mr. Padre on June 16, 2014.

But the light that is Gwynn will never be extinguished. He was so many things to so many people.

They unveiled a statue of Gwynn on Tuesday in Poway, his adopted home in San Diego.

And while the statue of Gwynn at Petco Park shows the eight-time National League batting champ swinging the bat, the one in Poway shows him holding his daughter, Anisha.

Baseball fans remember Gwynn as the game's greatest hitter this side of . To younger students at San Diego State, he was Coach Gwynn. To hundreds of thousands of kids in the area, Gwynn was someone to look up to. 20

And to a precious few hundred, Tony and Alicia Gwynn were surrogate parents who gave them a chance when no one else was there.

I knew Gwynn as a ballplayer. I was privileged to be able to call him a friend. But I always respected him most for his private values -- when he went out of his way to touch lives any way he could.

I remember when Gwynn signed autographs. He'd always seek out the tiniest hand clutching a baseball. If the hand had a little dirt rubbed into it, all the better. And he'd make the moment special for that young fan.

He wasn't big on ceremonies dedicated to him. But he loved interacting with kids.

I remember getting a note once from a Padres fan in the East County. Gwynn had had an appearance at a car dealership in El Cajon on a Saturday morning. The Padres had a game that night. There was about three hours between his appearance and when he had to be at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

So Gwynn just stopped by two Little League fields to say hello to some kids. He sat in the stands. He made surprise visits to the dugouts. He signed autographs. He bought hot dogs for several teams after a game.

"I remember when I was a kid in Long Beach," said Gwynn. "It would have been something if a Dodger or Angel ever showed up at one of our games. It didn't happen, but it would have been great. So I was there and … it just happened."

It's easy to know the statistics of Gwynn. They're in the record books. You can find them with two strokes on the computer.

But take time to learn more about the man. He was even better than the ballplayer.

GAME NOTES

• Matt Szczur joined the Padres on Tuesday just before their afternoon game with the . Szczur was acquired by the Padres from the Monday in a trade for Double-A RHP Justin Hancock. Szczur, 27, can play all three outfield positions and will be giving rookies Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe some much needed breaks as well as joining Cory Spangenberg in left. The Padres have two -- Travis Jankowski and Alex Dickerson -- on the disabled list. Spangenberg has been playing mostly in left since he was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on April 25.

• To make room for Szczur on the 25-man roster, the Padres on Tuesday morning optioned outfielder Jabari Blash to Triple-A El Paso. Blash was hitting .103 with 15 strikeouts in 29 at- bats. To make room for Szczur on the 40-man roster, the Padres transferred left-handed reliever Buddy Baumann from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list with shoulder issues.

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• Spangenberg's home run Monday night extended his hitting streak to a career-high seven games. He is 8-for-25 during the streak. Spangenberg's homer was his first since April 9, 2016.

• Trevor Cahill is 3-0 with a 0.49 ERA in his three starts this season at Petco Park. He has allowed one run on seven hits and six walks with 20 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings. Cahill, who grew up in Oceanside, has a 4-2 record with a 1.79 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings in nine career games at Petco Park. Tony Gwynn Jr.'s Emotional Reaction to Dad's New Statue in Poway

BY: TODD STRAIN

NBC 7

May 9, 2017

Near the end of the ceremony for the unveiling of the Tony Gwynn statue in Poway Tuesday, it came time for Tony's son, Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn Jr., to speak.

With hundreds of people focused on Tony Jr., he stood at the podium and before any words came out, out came the tears. An emotional Tony Jr. cried, then slowly composed himself. Flanked by his mother and sister, they comforted him. About 45 seconds passed before he found the strength to speak about his father -- his hero.

'I Totally Get It Now': Gwynn's Son'I Totally Get It Now': Gwynn's Son

Holding back tears, Tony Gwynn's son, Tony Gwynn Jr., talked about his father's legacy during an emotional tribute as the City of Poway unveiled a statue dedicated to Mr. Padre. Gwynn Jr. said, as a teen, it was difficult to grasp why his father always stayed in San Diego, true to the Padres. Now, as an adult, Gwynn Jr. said he gets it.(Published Tuesday, May 9, 2017)

"As you can imagine this is pretty tough," said Tony Jr.

After those first words, Tony Jr. found his voice, and his love, delivering a touching tribute to his father, who would have been 57 years old Tuesday.

Tony Jr. spoke, in part, about his father's longtime career with the Padres and how he, when he was younger, couldn't grasp why his father stayed with the team when he could've had lucrative opportunities with other MLB teams.

"I can remember, being a 17-year-old boy, and not really understanding where he was coming from on that," he said. "All I could think about was him having an opportunity to win a World Series. I'm not going to lie, I was pushing him hard to leave. I wanted him to have a chance to win a World Series." 22

As the years passed, and Tony Jr. experienced his own career as an MLB athlete, he realized the importance of his father's decision to stay with the Padres.

"It really didn't hit me until he got into the Hall of Fame. To have the honor to say, 'I did it one way, I did it with one team, with the team I love,' said Tony Jr. "I get it, I totally get it now."

Asked afterwards about his emotions when stepping to the podium Tony Jr. has this to say:

"When you look out and see all the love that's out here it's overwhelming at the time," he told NBC 7. "It's hard to get up there and see all these people, some have met him, some have not, and the fact that they're all here, it's overwhelming."

Shortly after Tony Jr. finished his speech, he was joined by his mother Alicia and his sister Anisha. Together with the help of sculptor Seth Vendable, the Gwynns unveiled an 11-foot-tall bronze statue in the likeness of Mr. Padre.

The statue features Gwynn in his San Diego Padres uniform, tipping his cap with one arm, while holding hs young daughter, Anisha, in the other. It stands at Lake Poway Park -- a place Gwynn often visited with his family.

Tony Jr. said the statue captures the essence of his father to the core.

"It's beautiful to see it up close and personal. To see the detail, even my dad's knuckles on his hand, it's awesome," said Tony Jr.

What the Gwynn family really likes about the statue is that it's a fitting representation of how Tony felt about family.

"When I look at it, I don't just see my dad and my sister, I see myself and my family and the entire community that's been involved in our lives," said Tony Jr.

Gwynn is a Baseball Hall of Famer, a 15-time All-Star, an 8-time batting champ. This statue, however, depicts the other side of the Padres legend: the strong family man and proud resident of Poway.

"If my dad were here he wouldn't have agreed to have it anywhere else; Poway meant so much to him," Tony Jr. added. "When they say it takes a community to grow a family, this is a prime example of it."

The Gwynn family and the City of Poway has been a partnership that has paid great dividends to all involved. Now, thanks to the Tony Gwynn statue it's a partnership that will remain for all to see for the coming future.

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Friars Split Series with Rangers

BY: MJ ACOSTA

NBC 7

May 9, 2017

The San Diego Padres dropped the second of four games against the Texas Rangers at Petco Park. The 11-0 loss was the first shutout of the 2017 season for the Padres. The Friars have seen better days and so has Jered Weaver. The former All-Star was on the mound for San Diego and let up six hits and seven runs in just three innings. He has now given up a combined total of 14 home runs in seven starts.

Outfielder Matt Szczur made his Padres debut when he was brought in as the pinch-hitter for the pitcher in the seventh inning. He remained in the game in left field. Szczur was acquired on Monday from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right handed pitcher Justin Hancock.

Starting for the Rangers was El Cajon Native AJ Griffin. The Grossmont High School graduate dominated in his hometown letting up just four hits to take his second career shutout. The Texas offense followed his lead and got on the board early on in the first inning off a three run homer by first baseman Ryan Rua.

Third baseman Joey Gallo and Robinson Chirinos each notched two run home runs and contributed to a stellar performance by the Texas team.

The inter-league series moves to Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas for the final two games of the set. The first pitch for Wednesday’s contest is set for 5:05 p.m. PST. Padres, Rangers shift series to Texas

BY: AP Staff

AP

May 9, 2017

The Texas Rangers see a familiar foe when they open an eight-game homestand Wednesday: the San Diego Padres.

The teams split a two-game interleague set in San Diego after Texas prevailed 11-0 on Tuesday.

Yu Darvish (3-2, 2.76 ERA) gets the nod for the Rangers on Wednesday while the Padres counter with Luis Perdomo (0-0, 4.03).

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Texas is anxious to get back to Arlington to hopefully jump-start a wobbly month. The Rangers are 3-6 since the calendar flipped to May.

What has been steady, though, is Darvish, as his workload shows his considerable distance from Tommy John surgery.

Darvish, who missed the 2015 season after his elbow was repaired, threw at least 113 pitches in each of his past three starts.

“This is a big, strong individual, and yes he has had Tommy John before,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “He has worked his way back. He is into I think a part of the stage that he can go with those types of pitch counts. I think he feels very comfortable with it.”

Darvish is starting on regular rest — one day fewer than his previous two outings, but Banister said he doesn’t think that is an issue. And part of that is the trust he has with his three-time All- Star.

“It has been a great, honest communication with him in what he is capable of doing in between starts and where his confidence level is at,” Banister said. “Yet we need to continue to monitor it.”

Darvish has shown well against the National League with a 7-2 mark and a 2.09 ERA. He won his only start against the Padres, throwing eight innings of two-run ball in 2015.

Perdomo, who is making his debut against the Rangers, still seeks a decision this season. He has worked at least five innings in each of his four starts but has little to show for it.

In his last outing, he held the to one run over six innings. However, with the Padres going 0-for-11 with runners in , Perdomo was again pitching on the wrong day.

“It was another game circumstance that dictated pulling him for a ,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “Six quality innings. He could have gone out for the seventh very easily, wanted to very badly. But we wanted to take a chance to score a run that were hard to come by.”

Banister is expected to stack his order with left-handed hitters. Lefties are hitting .371 off Perdomo, while righties are batting .180.

Perdomo might have drawn the short straw again in opposing Darvish.

Darvish has become the anchor of the Rangers’ injury-riddled rotation and has won each of his past two home starts. The only Texas starter to reach 10 strikeouts (twice) in a game figures to go deep in this one.

“There’s no doubt when he first came back, as with any pitcher, there is that unknown,” Banister said. “What is it supposed to feel like and what does it feel like? There are a lot of anxieties with 25 that, and I think we are getting to that point where there is a lot less anxiety about having had Tommy John surgery.” .

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