Brewers 8, Padres 7
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Randy Wolf is secure enough to know
his spring training numbers aren’t an indication of what’s
ahead.
He hopes not, anyway.
The left-hander allowed seven runs, three of them earned, and
eight hits in 4 2-3 innings Tuesday in the Brewers’ 8-7 win over
the San Diego Padres in the final exhibition game for both
teams.
The outing left Wolf, who will start Sunday at Cincinnati, with
a spring ERA of 8.74. But all that matters to Wolf is that his
health is intact and he’s had a chance to work on his
mechanics.
”When you leave here you just want to be healthy and realize
you’re ready to go,” Wolf said. ”I’m traditionally a horrible
spring training pitcher. Guys like (Zack) Greinke or (Yovani
Gallardo), they can out-stuff anybody. I don’t out-stuff. Every
game I pitch, I’m prepared.
”I know where to pitch a guy. I know what his weaknesses are. I
know how to attack that. Spring training, you don’t go over a
scouting report, ever,” he said.
Aaron Harang echoed those sentiments in the Padres’
clubhouse.
Harang, who will start next Tuesday’s home opener against the
San Francisco Giants, came to spring looking to refine his
mechanics. After three injury-plagued seasons, Harang, who signed a
one-year deal with the Padres in December worth $4 million, is
interested in once again becoming a power pitcher.
In his final start of the spring, Harang allowed eight runs, six
were earned, on 11 hits and two walks in 5 2-3 innings. He threw
strikes on 63 of 103 pitches and declared himself ready for the
regular season.
”For me it was getting my mechanics back to where they were
before,” Harang said. ”I’m trying to work on hitting my spots.
People kind of look at the numbers and the numbers don’t read out
exactly what we’re trying to do. It’s a long haul throughout the
season and it’s fine-tuning everything when we get down here. I
feel good with how things are going.”
Brewers newcomer Nyjer Morgan had two hits. Prince Fielder had
two of Milwaukee’s six doubles and Mark Kotsay got two hits and
drove in three runs.
NOTES: The Padres finalized their roster when they recalled
reliever Samuel Deduno from Triple-A. He will pitch in the long
relief role manager Bud Black said. Padres pitcher Dustin Moseley
had been scheduled for the long relief role but will instead pitch
on Sunday at the St. Louis Cardinals. … A day after it was
announced he would begin the season on the 15-day disabled list,
Padres starter Mat Latos played catch. Latos is expected to play
catch again on Wednesday and he could throw a bullpen session on
Thursday. ”Positive would be the best way to describe it,” Latos
said. ”I’m just looking forward to tomorrow.”