Cashner setting the bar high for Padres on the mound

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Manager Bud Black has yet to name his Opening Day starter, but there's no reason to think it won't be Andrew Cashner, who looked sharp again on Wednesday.

In his second start of the spring, Cashner allowed two hits over three scoreless innings. He didn't walk a batter and had three strikeouts.

Cashner retired the final six hitters he faced and made a nice play on a bunt by Alejandro De Aza in the third inning, and followed that by getting Gordon Beckham looking at a called third strike.

Cashner estimated that he threw "six or seven" sliders, the knuckle-slider that he used early last season. He had good results with it Wednesday and mixed in a few changeups to boot.

"The breaking ball was maybe the best it's been since 2012," Cashner said. "I started throwing my spike again and got the depth and bite I like.

"I threw some good changeups and broke some bats on some inside fastballs."

Cashner, who tossed two scoreless innings against Seattle last week, will continue to build his stamina and endurance. He threw 39 pitches against the White Sox.