Good Morning San Diego: Padres drop split squad games against Dodgers, Rockies

They say Spring Training results do not matter, but you still do not want to lose two games on the same day to divisional opponents. That is what the San Diego Padres did by losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies in split squad matchups at Camelback Ranch and the Peoria Sports Complex on Friday. Many of the Padres regulars stayed in Peoria to face the Rockies and they suffered a 9-3 loss.

Nick Pivetta started the game on the mound for San Diego and lasted four innings allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Pivetta, who is widely expected to be named the Opening Day starter for the Padres, said his plan for the season is to be more consistent and hopefully this last spring outing is a jumping off point for another solid year. Bradgley Rodriguez took over in the fifth inning for Pivetta and the young right-hander pitched a scoreless and hitless inning, while recording two strikeouts.

Bullpen regulars Jason Adam, who was making his return to the mound for the first time since rupturing his quadriceps tendon, and Jeremiah Estrada combined to pitch two scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk. Minor league relievers handled the remainder of the game and allowed four runs over the final three innings. The Padres offense was limited to just four hits in the game and only one of those hits was recorded by a starter, Jackson Merrill.

San Diego used just three pitchers against Los Angeles and the Padres tried to mount a late comeback against the Dodgers but lost the game by a final of 4-3. Marco Gonzales, one of the pitchers fighting for a spot in the rotation, started the game and held his own with 3 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts.