Speedy Spangenberg sparks Padres win
SAN DIEGO -- Tyson Ross overcame command issues and a shaky start Friday night as the Padres edged the D-backs, 4-2, at Petco Park.
Ross (5-7) walked five of the first 11 batters, but settled down thereafter, retiring nine of the final 10 batters he faced. He allowed two hits in six innings, striking out seven.
Arizona pitcher Robbie Ray (2-3) allowed two earned runs over six innings with no walks and five strikeouts.
"His stuff was very good," D-backs manager Chip Hale said of Ray. "He threw his offspeed pitch more, threw his breaking ball and changeup, which was impressive, his fastball was electric again."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Better than it looks: Given his other numbers, Ray probably deserves a better record than 2-3, and he could easily have had a better outcome Friday. The D-backs committed a pair of errors behind him, one of which led to an unearned run, and three errors overall. Ray didn't get much help from an offense that managed just two hits. More >
"You never see that on our linescore very often," Hale said of the error total. "Just didn't play the defense that we're used to playing. We're usually tighter than that."
Video: ARI@SD: Ray allows two earned runs over six frames
Speed kills: Padres second baseman Cory Spangenberg used his wheels to create a run in the third inning. He stole third base and scored on a throwing error. In the fifth inning, he beat out an infield single, stole second base and eventually scored.More >
Video: ARI@SD: Padres take the lead on Kemp's sacrifice fly
Driving them in: After Ross walked the bases loaded in the third it seemed he might be able to wiggle out of the jam with no damage. But with two outs, Paul Goldschmidt worked the count full and grounded a single back up the middle to score a pair of runs to give him 62 RBIs on the year.
Settling down: Ross was shaky early but got on a roll in the fourth inning when he struck out the side. He got leadoff hitter A.J. Pollock to bounce into a big double play in the fifth inning. More >
"I just had trouble repeating my delivery and I was a little inconsistent with my release point," Ross said of his early struggles, which led to two runs in the third inning. "They [D-backs] had a great, patient approach and I got myself into some trouble early on."
Video: ARI@SD: Ross induces double play in the 5th
QUOTABLE
"He's a pro. He doesn't break down. He's tough. This kid is mentally tough. He is bright too. So, you got courageous and bright. They work through those things. He knows if I want to stay out here and keep doing what I am doing - I can't let this get the best of me." -- Padres interim manager Pat Murphy on Ross
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The first inning continues to be bountiful for the Padres, who got one run on Friday. They have now scored 52 first-inning runs this season. That's the most runs in any one particular inning they've scored this season.
REPLAY REVIEW
The D-backs contested a stolen base by Spangenberg in the fifth inning on Friday, after he was ruled safe after a strong throw by Arizona catcher Welington Castillo. A review determined the call would stand.
Video: ARI@SD: Spangenberg safe, call stands
In the seventh inning, Spangenberg was awarded an infield hit after a call was overturned on a ground ball to third baseman Jake Lamb.
Video: ARI@SD: Spangenberg safe after overturned call
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Jeremy Hellickson will get the start for the D-backs on Saturday night at 7:10 p.m. PT at Petco Park, his second straight start against the Padres. Last time he allowed just two runs over six innings in a 7-2 win at Chase Field.
Padres: Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.35) will get the start in the second game of the three-game series. This will be his fourth start against the D-backs. He's fared well, too. Cashner has a 2.65 ERA in his three previous starts.
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