Worth noting

• The team's technical director, former big league utility man Robert Eenhoorn, said expectations have changed regarding the Dutch team in the World Baseball Classic after two victories over the Dominican Republic in 2009 and the club's semifinal run this year. "It's just been a process where in the first one, you're just happy to be there. In the second one, you're very, very happy to make it to the second round. And now, the goal is winning it. And it sounded weird for many people at the beginning, but it was a goal that we set. We've had success, and winning the World Cup in 2011 was kind of big, too. And we've beaten Cuba five times in a row, and a lot of people don't know."

• Meulens said he's been impressed with how aggressive his team has been. "They go first to third, they advance on balls in the dirt … that's how they play," Meulens said. "They play kind of reckless, but it's fun to watch."

• Eenhoorn was pleased to learn that 18-year-old Dutch catcher Rodney Daal, a San Diego Padres Minor Leaguer, was moved up from Minor League camp to be with the Padres for Thursday night's exhibition between the two clubs. Daal, whose father, Richie, played against Eenhoorn, was in camp for the Dutch team prior the start of Spring Training. "I think it's great," Eenhoorn said. "It's a great experience for him."

• Padres Triple-A manager Pat Murphy, who managed the Dutch Olympic baseball team in the 2000 Sydney Games, was a San Diego coach during Thursday night's game.