Garcia loses matchup with former teammate Ibanez

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Freddy Garcia found a surefire way to avoid having to pitch to Raul Ibanez -- play on the same team.

But that was last season with the Yankees -- and 1999-2000 when both were with Seattle -- and on Sunday, Ibanez got Garcia again.

Ibanez hit a three-run home run off Garcia in his first start of the spring for the Padres, the biggest blow of a five-run first inning. All told, Garcia allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in one inning.

"He's killing me, man," Garcia said of Ibanez.

Garcia struggled right out of the chute, allowing hits to the first five hitters of the game.

"It's definitely not how I wanted to start this spring," Garcia said. "It's the first day. I'll try to be better next time."

That Ibanez tormented Garcia on Saturday wasn't the least bit surprising. He's a career .559 hitter in 34 career at-bats against the 36-year-old Garcia. Garcia, in camp on a Minor League deal, knows he can't have many days like this if he's to earn a spot in the starting rotation.

"I need to pitch [well] to be on this team," he said.