The Angels and the Padres squared off in a midday spring training tilt.

For those in attendance, it was another opportunity to take a closer look at Walker Buehler in the gold and brown, as he got the nod for the Friars at starting pitcher.

The match started fairly even, with the sides all tied up after three innings at two runs apiece.

It was not long, however, before San Diego cracked Anaheim starting pitcher Mitch Ferris. In the fourth, San Diego was able to bust open the floodgates.

Aided by singles by Nick Solak, Jose Miranda, and Pablo Reyes, and a walk by Mason McCoy, starting right fielder Jase Bowen smacked a grand slam in the fourth. This put the Friars up 7-2 and effectively ended Mitch Ferris’s day on the mound. A couple of small rallies in the sixth and eighth innings drove in two more runs. A solo shot finished off the scoring and elevated the Padres over the Halos 10-2.

Perhaps the story of the game was the teamwork strung together throughout to get the Padres on the board.

Five of the Padres’ ten runs were the result of singles driving runners home, while the other five hits were accounted for by a grand slam and a solo shot. This grand slam was, of course, largely made possible by patient at-bats and selfless singles (plus a walk) strung together in succession.

Of additional note was Walker Buehler’s 3 2/3 innings worked with five hits and a 2.00 ERA against what is anticipated to be one of the worst offenses in the show this season.

Buehler has shown promise, but on Tuesday seemed to come with its challenges.

The former Dodger is still trying to make his case for the opening day roster, and with a strong spring training from Randy Vasquez so far, it looks like Buehler’s only shot will be at the five slot in the rotation. Recent whispers about a potential hindrance to Joe Musgrove‘s recovery from Tommy John surgery could change this, however. Alternatively, LHP Jackson Wolf continued to shine this spring, allowing just one hit in 2 1/3 innings worked, accompanied by three strikeouts.

Wolf combined with Bradgley Rodriguez, Garrett Hawkins, and Francis Pena to work a clean 5 2/3 innings in relief of Buehler.

Offensively, several Padres shone.

25-year-old Jase Bowen’s grand slam was a highlight reel; however, it was first baseman Nick Solak who notched the team’s only multi-hit game. Solak went 2-for-3 and raised his batting average to .355 for the spring. Clay Dungan also had a home run in the ninth on his only at-bat of the day.

Overall, San Diego handled Anaheim quite handily. Promising performances from the pitching staff should continue to encourage fans moving forward, as many anticipate key players’ returns from the World Baseball Classic in the coming weeks.

The Angels and the Padres squared off in a midday spring training tilt.

For those in attendance, it was another opportunity to take a closer look at Walker Buehler in the gold and brown, as he got the nod for the Friars at starting pitcher.

The match started fairly even, with the sides all tied up after three innings at two runs apiece.

It was not long, however, before San Diego cracked Anaheim starting pitcher Mitch Ferris. In the fourth, San Diego was able to bust open the floodgates.

Aided by singles by Nick Solak, Jose Miranda, and Pablo Reyes, and a walk by Mason McCoy, starting right fielder Jase Bowen smacked a grand slam in the fourth. This put the Friars up 7-2 and effectively ended Mitch Ferris’s day on the mound. A couple of small rallies in the sixth and eighth innings drove in two more runs. A solo shot finished off the scoring and elevated the Padres over the Halos 10-2.

Perhaps the story of the game was the teamwork strung together throughout to get the Padres on the board.

Five of the Padres’ ten runs were the result of singles driving runners home, while the other five hits were accounted for by a grand slam and a solo shot. This grand slam was, of course, largely made possible by patient at-bats and selfless singles (plus a walk) strung together in succession.

Of additional note was Walker Buehler’s 3 2/3 innings worked with five hits and a 2.00 ERA against what is anticipated to be one of the worst offenses in the show this season.

Buehler has shown promise, but on Tuesday seemed to come with its challenges.

The former Dodger is still trying to make his case for the opening day roster, and with a strong spring training from Randy Vasquez so far, it looks like Buehler’s only shot will be at the five slot in the rotation. Recent whispers about a potential hindrance to Joe Musgrove‘s recovery from Tommy John surgery could change this, however. Alternatively, LHP Jackson Wolf continued to shine this spring, allowing just one hit in 2 1/3 innings worked, accompanied by three strikeouts.

Wolf combined with Bradgley Rodriguez, Garrett Hawkins, and Francis Pena to work a clean 5 2/3 innings in relief of Buehler.

Offensively, several Padres shone.

25-year-old Jase Bowen’s grand slam was a highlight reel; however, it was first baseman Nick Solak who notched the team’s only multi-hit game. Solak went 2-for-3 and raised his batting average to .355 for the spring. Clay Dungan also had a home run in the ninth on his only at-bat of the day.

Overall, San Diego handled Anaheim quite handily. Promising performances from the pitching staff should continue to encourage fans moving forward, as many anticipate key players’ returns from the World Baseball Classic in the coming weeks.

Billy Seidlitz

Billy has spent a majority of his life following San Diego sports and worked in San Diego for many years. Now residing in Newport Beach he recently obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Chapman University and now works as an Associate Personal Injury Attorney. Billy enjoys supporting the Padres and SDFC from Orange County and making the drive down for big games. He is passionate about analytics and writing about sports.