Some encouraging signs so far, and bad

[*bengalfan74*]

(03-10-2025, 07:24 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: I smiled watching this play out in the top of the first. I think that I'm going to like this Francona guy.

Friedl walks . . . advances to 2B on a wild pitch.
McLain hits a ground ball to the 2nd baseman, Friedl advances to 3rd - LOVED watching basic, winning baseball.
De La Cruz hits a hard ground ball that gets by a drawn in infield.

Last year, we watched guys trying to crush the ball and hit in front of the runner, by hitting behind the runner, that enabled Elly's hit to happen because if the defense wasn't pulled in to stop the runner on 3rd, that's out number two instead of a hit.
Hays flies out to left.
Candelerio then hits a two out homer for a 3-0 lead.
Under David Bell, there's a great chance that the inning would have been scoreless.


Elly's shortened stride/swing was noticed by the Padre announcers. They commented that he stayed alive on his second plate appearance because of it.

"Last year, he wouldn't have fouled that off. Since he's shortened his leg kick, he's able to see the ball a little longer because he's not committing so early."

He later earned a walk . . . he got thrown out stealing a couple of pitches later, but he turned a 2024 strikeout into a 2025 walk.


Greene with only one hit given up through three innings, a two out single by Bogaerts in the 2nd inning. He then gave up a solo shot to Tatis Jr to start the 4th before striking out the next three. 49 pitches - 37 strikes - 5 Ks - 0 BBs - 2 hits - 1 HR

Edited to add: All nine starters had three plate appearances except for Friedl and McLain, they had four plate appearances. Get them ready for game 1! LOVE IT!!!

Good to hear Greene had a good outing.

Marte has been sent down to AAA