The Lake Elsinore Storm's home ballpark played host to the final spring game of 2012 for the Padres. (Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE)

In the final prep-game before today’s opener, Matt Palmer got the start.  He literally arrived just minutes before the game started, but that didn’t seem to affect him at all.  He went four innings, gave up two hits, and allowed one unearned run.  Palmer will start the year in Tucson this season, and in his final spring contest, he impressed.

The Padres bats returned as they hammered out ten hits and six runs.  Unfortunately, the Royals had a little more offense in them as they scored seven.  No Padres player had a multi-hit game, but there were ten players in total who had a hit.  Will Venable finished the spring with a .349 average, Jesus Guzman finished with a .308 average.  Kyle Blanks upped his average to .325.  They team simply hit all spring long.  Now, they will need to carry that through the regular season.

Jerry Sullivan, who will likely be playing with the storm in Lake Elsinore allowed the most damage.  He pitched two innings in relief and gave up five runs.

The Padres take on the Dodgers today in their Opening Day game (as if I had to tell you) at 4:05 PT.  The game will be carried on Fox Sports San Diego, Fox Sports Prime, and MLB Network.

For all your Padres news and discussions follow us on Twitter @ChickenFriars, follow me on Twitter@the5_5Hole, and like our Facebook page.

Get a good look at this frame because this is what Guzman looks like when he goes yard, and we're going to see a lot of it if things go well. Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Clayton Richard got the start and was fantastic.  He went six strong innings of shut-out ball.  He gave up just three hits, walked none, and struck out five.  It was an impressive performance for the lefty.  He was relieved by Joe Thatcher who gave up a line drive home run to Brayan Pena.  But that would be all the offense the Royals would muster.

The Padres struck for their only two runs of the game in the third inning.  Chase Headley and Jesus Guzman hit back-to-back home runs to lead the offensive charge.  Will Venable was 1 for 2 with a stolen base after coming in to relieve Chris Denorfia.  Yonder Alonso was 1 for 3.  His one hit ended up being a long single in which he was ultimately thrown out at second.  He smashed an opposite field blast off the left field wall (ala Adrian Gonzalez), but the ball was played perfectly by Alex Gordon of the Royals who gunned Alonso out at second base.

Andrew Cashner was given his first real taste of set-up man duties and he did not disappoint.  He gave up a single, but then he promptly struck out the side, his fast ball topping out at 98 mph.  Huston Street came in to shut the door in the ninth, and he did just that.  He pitched a perfect frame, and the Padres won their 20th game of the spring.

Tonight, the Padres again take on the Royals today at 2:05 PT, but they will be playing in Lake Elsinore, home of the Padres Class-A affiliate.  Matt Palmer will get the start for the Padres.

For all your Padres news and discussions follow us on Twitter @ChickenFriars, follow me on Twitter@the5_5Hole, and like our Facebook page.

Some of the Padres prospects, both current and future, shined last night in the windy conditions of Peoria, Arizona.  Yonder Alonso smashed a three run double in the first inning, then he smacked a single to centerfield in the third.  On the day, Alonso was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and a run scored.  But he wasn’t the only contributor.

Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Jedd Gyorko, Jaff Decker, Brad Davis, and Jonathan Galvez drove in runs.  Decker got his first shot in centerfield this spring as he relieved Cameron Maybin.  Maybin went 1 for 3 with a walk.  After a terrible start, Maybin’s batting average has crept to .259.

Cory Luebke started the game for the Padres, and while he gave up two runs in four innings of work, he looked sharp.  His pitches had good movement, and he gave up singles rather than extra base hits.  In all, Luebke gave up six hits, walked two, and struck out four.  Last night’s game marks the first two runs Luebke has given up all spring, so his ERA “ballooned” from 0.00 to 2.00.

The Padres will travel to Scottsdale to take on the Giants this afternoon.  Edinson Volquez will take on Madison Bumgarner at 1:05 PT.  The split squad game in Tucson has been rescheduled for Thursday ahead of inclement weather.