Padres vs. Angels Game Recap 3/16/12

Tim Stauffer‘s spring struggles continued yesterday.  It’s troubling of course, but there are some players who perform better when the games matter.  For Stauffer, he knows he all but has the Opening Day start locked up. We know what he can do in the regular season.  However, his spring thus far is worrisome to say the least.  He was scheduled to go four innings but only made it 2.2.  He gave up 11 hits, two walks, and surrendered 5 runs.  However, the Padres brought their sticks and came back for the win, 8-7.

Held scoreless through the first six innings, the Padres finally broke out in the seventh with an eight-run inning.  Cameron Maybin went 1 for 4, drove in a run, and scored one himself.  Jaff Decker‘s spring success continued as he went 1 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored.  All combined the Padres had just eight hits to their eight runs, but they walked six times and struck out just four.

Will Venable flashed some of that speed we’ve come to know him for the last two seasons as he stole second base.  It was his third steal during spring training.  Venable is batting .320 this spring, but went 0 for 3 yesterday.

Joe Thatcher got his first save as he worked 0.2 innings in the ninth.  He struck out both batters he faced.

The Padres will stay in Peoria to take on the Royals tonight.  In a rare night game this spring, Cory Luebke will get the start at 7:05 PT.