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Padres Press Clips Saturday, July 8, 2017 Article Source Author Page Austin Hedges lifts Padres over Phillies UT San Diego Lin 2 Padres try struggling Wil Myers in leadoff spot UT San Diego Lin 6 Storm's Javier Guerra continues hot second half UT San Diego Sanders 9 The Padres' Peter Seidler — just call him Mr. Nice Guy UT San Diego Bell 12 Past, present, future intertwine for Padres' Cal UT San Diego Sanders 14 Quantrill, Josh Naylor Hedges' two homers, late sac fly lift Padres MLB.com Zolecki/Cassavell 17 Lineup change pays dividends for offense MLB.com Cassavell 20 Friedrich shut down, may miss rest of '17 MLB.com Cassavell 22 Padres busy during International signing period MLB.com Cassavell 23 Under-the-radar Chacin aims to keep rolling MLB.com Cassavell 25 Austin Hedges leads Padres to 4-3 win over Phillies Associated Press AP 26

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Austin Hedges lifts Padres over Phillies Dennis Lin

On Wednesday afternoon, Austin Hedges had just begun taking swings inside a batting cage

at Progressive Field when he felt the muscles in his neck stiffen. The restriction did not subside. Soon, he

was on the trainer’s table. Two hours before game time, the Padres scratched their starting catcher from

the lineup.

Two nights later, Hedges made an emphatic return. He walloped the second pitch he saw. The seventh

offering to Hedges met a similar fate.

In a 4-3 victory at Citizens Bank Park, Hedges recorded the first multi-homer performance of his career,

hammering a pair of solo blasts off Philadelphia starter Nick Pivetta. Additionally, he caught six strong

innings from Clayton Richard before a rainstorm halted the game for 94 minutes.

After play resumed and the Phillies erased a two-run deficit, Hedges went to bat in the ninth. He

delivered again, lifting a sacrifice fly to center to drive in the go-ahead run.

In the bottom half of the inning, closer Brandon Maurer struck out the side. The Padres celebrated their

fourth win in five games, thanks in large part to the heroics of their starting catcher.

“I really think catching at this level has to be the toughest thing in athletics,” Richard said. “When they’re

able to do that at a high level behind the plate and do anything at the plate, it’s impressive. When he’s

able to put together a night like tonight, it’s something special.”

Friday supplied a memorable snapshot of Hedges’ two-way potential. Throughout this season, the 24-

year-old had consistently drawn praise for his defense and handling of a pitching staff. In both

departments, he had shown the acumen required from a franchise catcher.

Meantime, questions about his offensive ability continue to linger. Hedges carried a .214 average and

.258 on-base percentage into the Padres’ series opener against the Phillies. Over his last 38 at-bats, he

had logged only six hits.

But the ingredients for a more consistent threat exist. After Hedges unsuccessfully lobbied to play

Thursday in Cleveland, he went to work with hitting coach Alan Zinter.

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“It’s just a little bit more connected … using my whole body,” Hedges said. “At times, I think I only use

my upper body and don’t use my legs.”

“He’s been working hard in the cage,” manager Andy Green said. “He’s been scuffling a little bit lately.

I’m sure the two days (off) helped him reboot the system.”

Hedges’ home runs against Pivetta were his 12th and 13th of the year, tying him with Gary Sanchez of

the New York Yankees. Among major league catchers, only Kansas City’s Salvador Perez has gone deep

more times.

Friday, Hedges followed the example set by Jose Pirela. In the top of the first, the Padres left fielder

continued his productivity, redirecting an elevated slider for a 450-foot home run off the facing of the

second deck in left.

In 27 games since being promoted from Triple-A, Pirela is hitting .300 with a .342 on-base percentage, 11

doubles, a triple and four home runs.

“Jose Pirela’s been outstanding,” Green said. “That ball he hit was one of the hardest baseball’s I’ve seen

hit all year. I think it was still going up when it went out.”

Leading off the third, Hedges, like Pirela, connected with a slider that caught too much plate. The

catcher’s first homer soared over the left-field wall.

Richard yielded the Phillies’ first run when Tommy Joseph homered in the fourth, but that would be the

only damage against the Padres starter. Over his six innings, Richard allowed five hits and a walk.

“First couple innings, he was as good as he’s been,” Hedges said. “He lost a little bit command later, but

he’s such a good competitor that we made an adjustment and he made an adjustment and was able to

give us six great innings.”

Hedges padded the lead in the fifth. This time, he stayed back on a 97 mph heater from Pivetta before

unleashing a well-timed cut. An opposite-field drive cleared the right-field fence, giving the Padres a 3-1

advantage.

Richard, who threw a total of 82 pitches, would have gone deeper into the game had it not been for a

lengthy seventh-inning stretch. After the pitcher struck out to end the top of the seventh, the skies

opened. The grounds crew took the field at 8:14 p.m. EDT.

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The game recommenced at 9:48 p.m. The break seemed to have benefited the Phillies.

The home team put runners on second and third, with one out, against Phil Maton. The rookie reliever

yielded an RBI groundout as the Phillies pulled to within one run.

Green summoned All-Star lefty Brad Hand from the bullpen. Freddy Galvis greeted Hand with a game-

tying single.

The Padres mustered a decisive response in the ninth. Cory Spangenberg cracked a leadoff single. With

one out, he dashed to third on a single by Carlos Asuaje. After a failed attempt at safety squeeze, Hedges

came through another way.

“I should’ve got the safety squeeze down,” Hedges said. “But to still go out and win the at-bat — that’s

tough to do sometimes after you screw up what you’re supposed to do — to still go back in and grind, get

that sac fly, I was very pleased.”

Painful ricochet

In the sixth, right fielder Hunter Renfroe absorbed a pitch that ricocheted off his left forearm and hit a

finger on his right hand. Renfroe doubled over in pain before convincing the training staff to allow him to

stay in the game. He was replaced by Matt Szczur before the bottom of the ninth.

“He was staying out there as long as he possibly can,” Green said. “I think it’s hard for him to even throw

right now with his finger the way it is.”

Green added that Renfroe will be re-evaluated Saturday.

“I don’t think anybody thinks it’s broken,” Green said. “The way it hit him, it just kind of clipped him

pretty good.”

Immediate dividends

Swapping lineup assignments with Pirela, first baseman Wil Myers batted leadoff for the first time this

season and notched his first three-hit game since April.

Myers doubled, singled and surprised the Phillies when he bunted for his final hit.

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“We probably should’ve gotten to that point sooner (batting Myers leadoff), but there’s so much

confidence in him getting going in the three-hole,” Green said. “Good look for him. We’ll go right back to

it (Saturday).

“You put him in the one-hole, and he starts bunting and running, some of the different aspects of his

game. He’s capable of doing a lot more than people give him credit for.”

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Padres try struggling Wil Myers in

leadoff spot Dennis Lin

Lacking more conventional options, the Padres put Wil Myers atop their lineup 51 times in 2015. In a

season disrupted by wrist injuries and surgery, he logged a .271/.343/.459 slash line from the leadoff

spot.

On Friday, for the first time in 2017, Myers returned to batting first. The hope, according to Myers and

manager Andy Green, was that a different perspective would foster better results.

The Padres’ first baseman and usual three-hole bat entered their series at Citizens Bank Park with just

one hit and one walk over his last 20 plate appearances. In one concerning stretch, he struck out nine

consecutive times.

“Change of scenery is sometimes nice and sometimes necessary,” Green said, “and we thought it would be

a good one for him.”

Left fielder Jose Pirela, who had batted .302/.345/.509 since his early-June promotion, switched places

with Myers, moving down to No. 3 in the order.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” said Myers, who started in the top slot only twice last season. “Back in 2015,

I really enjoyed hitting leadoff. … I’ve struggled over the last month-and-a-half, so this is something that

could really kickstart it and get going again.

“I can definitely hit leadoff, I have the speed to do it and I think, with the way Pirela’s been hitting, it’s

maybe a good idea to put him right there at three.”

Myers ambushed pitchers in April, hitting .310/.325/.593 with 16 extra-base hits. Since then, opponents

have adjusted while Myers has yet to find consistency. He began Friday hitting .251 with a .326 on-base

percentage and the fifth-most strikeouts in the majors.

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“Definitely the strikeouts is something that I’ve got to figure out,” he said. “I think a lot of it has to do

with me trying not to strike out, and I think that leads to more strikeouts. I want to stay aggressive on the

first pitch, and I think that’s something I’ve been a little passive about, especially early in the count, and

once the count starts to build, I start to think too much and get myself out.

“Maybe getting back to the leadoff spot, I don’t have to think about that. Just be aggressive early in the

count, and that’s when I’m at my best.”

Green concurred, saying, “For me, it’s about just swinging at the good pitches he can hit, and if that’s

early in the count, then I’m thrilled with it.”

The manager was unsure if Friday’s arrangement would be more than temporary.

“We’re not really flush with three-, four- and five- hole hitters in the lineup right now, so when you

remove Wil from that ... it’s harder to put a lineup together there,” Green said. “That said, Jose Pirela’s

been swinging the bat like a three-hole hitter lately, so just flipping those two was an easy change and

something that we’ve talked about internally for a while.

“Didn’t start the year with the expectation that (Myers) would hit first, but not going to shy away from it

if it works well for him and works well for us.”

Friedrich to undergo tests

Left-hander Christian Friedrich, who opened the season on the disabled list, will undergo tests in San

Diego after experiencing a recurrence of elbow tenderness. In Friedrich’s last rehab start, June 23 with

Triple-A El Paso, he developed a blister that turned into a finger laceration.

“He got shut down from that,” Green said. “He’s being built back up from that, and now he’s experiencing

some elbow tenderness again.”

Friedrich, who led the Padres in starts last season, has yet to appear with the big-league club in 2017.

“He’s had a rough go getting ready for this season,” Green said. “As the days pass and the injuries mount,

it looks less and less likely we’re going to see him anytime soon.”

Notable

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• Catcher Austin Hedges, who sat out the past two games because of neck stiffness, returned to the

lineup Friday.

• Utility man Chase d’Arnaud cleared waivers Friday and accepted an outright assignment to El

Paso. D’Arnaud will report to the affiliate shortly after the All-Star break.

• Left-handed reliever Buddy Baumann, who landed on his throwing shoulder in a March bicycle

accident, has made three rehab appearances in the Arizona Rookie League. Baumann is scheduled

for his first multi-inning outing this weekend, and could join a full-season affiliate shortly

afterward.

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Storm's Javier Guerra continues hot

second half Jeff Sanders

Even after a disappointing debut in the organization, the Padres remain enamored with Javier Guerra’s

ceiling. The shortstop prospect is beginning to reward that faith.

The 21-year-old Guerra continued a red-hot second half with a first-inning, two-run homer that got high

Single-A Lake Elsinore started on a 7-3 win over host Visalia on Friday night.

Guerra entered the game hitting .339/.361/.559 after the All-Star break after hitting .203/.246/.311 the

first half of the season.

Although he has struck out 105 times in 81 games, Guerra (.229) is up to six homers, five triples, 15

doubles and 34 RBIs in his second run through the California League.

One of four prospects acquired in the Craig Kimbrel deal, Guerra was added to the 40-man roster over

the offseason despite hitting .202/.264/.325 with nine homers and 141 strikeouts in 105 games with the

Storm in 2016.

Catcher Austin Allen (.262) went 2-for-5, hit his 10th homer and drove in three runs and first baseman

Carlos Belen (.226) went 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored.

Left-hander Thomas Dorminy (2-1, 3.90) struck out eight and allowed only one hit and two walks in five

innings in the start for the Storm (7-9, 42-44).

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (42-46)

• Chihuahuas 9, Salt Lake 5: RHP Michael Kelly (1-1, 6.48) walked four but allowed one run on one

hit in five innings to win his second PCL start. 1B Christian Villanueva (.296) went 3-for-5 with

his 16th homer and two RBIs and 2B Diego Goris (.280) drove in three runs on his eight homer.

RF Franchy Cordero (.316) and 3B Ryan Schimpf (.286) both collected two hits.

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DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (9-6, 50-35)

• Arkansas 3, Missions 0: RHP Brett Kennedy (7-5, 3.80) struck out eight and allowed three runs

on six hits and a walk in six innings. LHP Kyle McGrath (3.50) struck out two over two perfect

innings. 2B Luis Urias (.304) went 1-for-3 with a walk in his return from a tight back and 1B Nick

Torres (.262) singled in three at-bats for the Missions’ other hit.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (10-6, 36-50)

• TinCaps 6, Lansing 4: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.279) hit his 13th homer, tripled, walked twice and

stole his 16th base. C A.J. Kennedy (.175) doubled in two runs in four at-bats and LF Jorge Ona

(.279) went 1-for-3 with an RBI double, a walk and a run scored. RHP Jim McDade (1-1, 3.66)

struck out seven and allowed two runs on six hits and no walks.

SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (13-10)

• Eugene 5, Dust Devils 2: RHP Henry Henry (0-3, 4.91) struck out five and allowed three runs on

three hits and three walks in four innigns in the loss. LF Tyler Benson (.833) went 3-for-4, 1B

Bryan Aragon (.175) drove in two runs on two hits and 3B Luis Almanzar (.250) went 1-for-5 with

a double and his sixth steal. CF Tre Carter (.253) went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and his

fifth steal.

ROOKIE AZL PADRES1 (4-7)

• Mariners 8, Padres 3: RHP Angel Acevedo (0-1, 21.38) allowed seven runs – four earned – on 10

hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings the loss. SS Jordy Barley (.333) went hit his second homer, CF

Jeisson Rosario (.317) went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run scored and 3B Jonny

Homza (.281) doubled in two runs.

ROOKIE AZL PADRES2 (6-5)

• Padres 7, Royals 4: RHP Emmanuel Clase (1-0, 4.09) struck out six and allowed two runs in 3 2/3

innings in relief after RHP Aaron Leasher (16.88) allowed two runs in two innings in the start. CF

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Robbie Podorsky (.378) and RF Mason House (.333) each drove in two runs and 2B Eguy Rosario

(.429) went 2-for-4 with his seventh steal and a run scored.

ROOKIE DSL PADRES (12-17)

• Padres 17, White Sox 3: 3B Luis Guzman (.212) hit his second homer, doubled and drove in six

runs and SS Bryan Torres (.328), RF Yordi Francisco (.290) and LF Carlos Batista (.167) both

drove in two runs. LHP Carlos Valenzuela (1-1, 3.32) struck out four and allowed a run in six

innings in the win.

• White Sox 4, Padres 2 (7): RHP Moises Lugo (1-1, 1.50) struck out six and allowed four runs –

three earned – in five innings in the loss. 3B Elvis Sabala (.229) went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

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The Padres' Peter Seidler — just call him

Mr. Nice Guy Diane Bell

Peter Seidler hit a home run with the Nice Guys of San Diego.

The largest stakeholder and managing partner of the Padres holding company will be introduced as the

2017 “Nice Guy of the Year” at a July 12 press conference, then honored at the nonprofit’s gala on Oct. 28

at the Marriott Marquis.

The do-gooder group annually shines its spotlight on someone who has helped less fortunate San Diegans

on the brink of hard times.

With Seidler, the recognition is two-fold because the Padres have stressed community outreach and

building a fan-friendly experience. Plus, Seidler with his wife, Sheel, has supported numerous causes,

especially related to homelessness and health care, mindful of his own recent battle against non-

Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The nephew and namesake of former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley hasn’t been in San Diego for long.

He moved to La Jolla after becoming a part owner of the team in 2012, but has quickly immersed himself

in local causes, having met recently with Mayor Kevin Faulconer to address needs of the homeless.

Although a relative newcomer, by various accounts, he has been a habitually nice guy.

Functional fashion: Who would have thought that stretchy pony tail bands would land a local

entrepreneur on the Red Herring top 100 list for most promising private ventures in North America in

2017?

Every year, the Red Herring global media giant identifies its top innovative technology start-ups. Two

other San Diego firms made he list: StemoniX, which manufactures skin cells to aid big pharma drug

testing, and eSub Construction Software, which helps manage building projects. They are more typical

honorees.

But entering the high tech arena of “functional fashion” is bracelet manufacturer Maria Shireen, founded

by Shireen Maria Thor of La Jolla.

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Her husband, Arni, an engineer, provided the inspiration. He was concerned because she often slipped

her elastic hairbands around her wrist, cutting off circulation. So, as a surprise, he designed a cuff

bracelet with a center channel in which she could insert her stretchy hair tie. It was both functional and

fashionable — and far healthier.

She took the idea and ran with it, designing affordable bracelets in silver, rose gold and gold finishes with

a variety of straight, fluted and decorative edges. One of her designs has a charitable tie-in with a

percentage of the average $45 sales price going to a woman’s health or wellness cause. And she added a

less expensive plastic design for teens and kids.

“The problem was the elastic band was an eye sore and it left a dent around my wrist,” Thor explained.

Having started her company only two years ago, she quickly became a promotional whirlwind in “getting

rid of the ties that bind.”

Her bracelets have been touted by TV’s Meredith Vieira as “What’s Hot Now” and by Kathy Ireland on

“Modern Living.” They’ve been featured as affordable gifts on ABC News and as a “fabulous find” in

Essence. Self magazine featured the cuffs as bridesmaids’ gifts, U.S.News & World Report as Mother’s

Day presents and Allure as a solution to the one accessory (a hair band) that ruins any party outfit. The

bracelets already are being marketed in 45 countries and the company reported $6 million in sales last

year.

Red Herring analysts look beyond an attractive start-up idea. They examine such factors as business

growth rate, market maturity, revenue and global impact.

Maria Shireen is clearly in prestigious company. Past Red Herring selectees include Facebook, Twitter,

Google, Yahoo, Skype, eBay and YouTube.

Water world: San Diego’s boating community received a double whammy last month, ironically, just as

the America’s Cup competition was underway.

In addition to the passing of racing yacht designer Doug Peterson, a 2017 inductee into the America’s Cup

Hall of Fame, San Diego lost another prominent maritime figure.

Hugo Carver, longtime co-owner of the Knight & Carver Yacht Center, died last month at age 72, 18

months after his diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

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For more than 40 years, he and business partner John Knight built at least 100 custom luxury yachts and

repaired as many as 40,000 boats.

In 1992 and 1995, Knight & Carver’s Mission Bay marina served as home base for seven America’s Cup

syndicates, including that of Russia, whose boat was never finished due to financial difficulties. Knight &

Carver later donated the Age of Russia hull to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

Drawing on his marine roots, Carver memorialized his failing health in a poem which he titled “Slipping

the Anchor Chain,” symbolic of a sailor’s passing.

“Link by link my anchor chain pays out, sometimes one link, sometimes two or more. … With ALS, your

winch is broken forever and your priorities change. ... It is then best to help others to live a fuller life so

they stay well anchored rather than wasting away, not really loving life. ...”

A July 16 memorial is planned at the Silver Gate Yacht Club.

Past, present, future intertwine for

Padres' Cal Quantrill, Josh Naylor Jeff Sanders

Even when Josh Naylor was just 14 years old, his tryout for Team Canada’s junior national program was

preceded by his reputation.

Naylor had power, an approach and a natural knack for hitting beyond his years. Only Cal Quantrill –

among others – stood in his way when head coach Greg Hamilton staged a look-see ahead of that year’s

world championships in Korea.

But not for long.

“I'd like to say I'm the one who got him on Team Canada in the first place,” Quantrill, Naylor’s teammate

at high Single-A Lake Elsinore and in Sunday’s All-Star Futures Game, said with a laugh. “I served up a

couple doubles to him in his first at-bats when he was trying out. I don't know how old he was, but he was

raking.

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ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME

• Sunday at Marlins Park

• Watch: 1 p.m. on MLB Network

Padres prospects in the game

RHP Cal Quantrill (Lake Elsinore Storm)

• 6-5, 3.67 ERA, 76 strikeouts, 24 walks, 1.38 WHIP, 73 2/3 IP, .273 opponent avg.

1B Josh Naylor (Lake Elsinore Storm)

• .297 avg., .361 OBP, .452 SLG, 8 HRs, 45 RBIs, 27 walks, 48 strikeouts, 7 steals

Still is.

Of course, Quantrill’s doing quite well for himself, too, his dangerously deceptive change-up still every bit

the weapon it was before Tommy John surgery added an iota of doubt to his big league future. Pairing

that off-speed offering with a mid-90s fastball and developing breaking balls, Quantrill not only pitched

his way into Sunday’s minor league baseball showcase alongside Naylor, he’s continually passing the

most important test he’ll face this season:

His right elbow is sound.

“The way I like to do things is you're never quite meeting expectations,” said Quantrill, who has a 3.67

ERA and 76 strikeouts through 73 2/3 innings with the Storm. “I’m happy I was able to stay healthy. I

think I had an adequate first half … but I think we’ve only scratched the surface of what I’m capable of,

hopefully.”

Naturally, those expectations are quite high.

The son of a former major leaguer and a native of Port Hope, Ontario, Quantrill was in Team Canada’s

junior national program by the time he was 15 years old. He was Stanford’s opening day starter as a

freshman. He was the eighth overall selection in the draft three years later despite an elbow

reconstruction wiping out most of his sophomore and all of his junior year.

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Yet the 22-year-old right-hander’s meteoric rise to the All-Star Futures Game in his first full season of

pro ball hasn’t been without some lessons learned, surprisingly to him, the hard way.

“In the end,” Quantrill admitted, “these guys are paid to hit pitches and sometimes they are going to hit

home runs. Sometimes they are going to double off the wall. I think the first couple times, though, it

surprised me: ‘Hey, they can actually hit it.’”

Indeed, Quantrill has served up five home runs after allowing one last year in the low minors after

signing as the eighth overall pick. He’s also struck out as many as 12 in one game, turned in the first

quality starts of his career and is shifting his focus from the health of his repaired ulnar collateral

ligament to the intricacies of his delivery and the use of his breaking pitches.

In the latter department, Quantrill is trending toward the curveball – over the slider – as the out-pitch of

choice to pair with the change-up that first turned him into a legit pro prospect.

“I want it to be tight,” Quantrill said of the curve. “I'm not trying for a get-me over breaking ball – the

slider or the curve. I want it to be a pitch that changes the hitter's eye level, that allows me to go up in the

zone better. I want it to be a pitch that I can throw for strikes, but also throw for a strikeout.”

Naylor’s latest strides, too, have everything to do with his preparation since acing that tryout landed him

in the middle of Team Canada’s lineup until the Marlins made him the 12th overall pick in 2015, higher

than any other position player from that country.

The 20-year-old Naylor ranks fourth in the Padres system with 45 RBIs despite losing two weeks to facial

fractures sustained on a surprise pickoff throw to first base in April. More important, the jaw-dropping

raw power that the 6-foot, 225-pound Naylor displays regularly in batting practice – and twice during

Petco Park showcases in October – is showing up in-game more often than ever due to improved control

of the strike zone.

“He's always had a gifted swing and a natural hitting ability,” Padres farm director Sam Geaney said.

“Whether on his own or through instruction, I think he's definitely forcing pitchers to come into the

strike zone more frequently and getting better pitches to hit and is on his way to developing an approach

that matches his raw offensive tools.”

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To that point, Naylor’s .452 slugging percentage is 100 points higher than it was during last year’s 33-

game stay in the the California League. His 27 walks and .361 on-base percentage are already career-

highs, too, as Naylor prepares to head to his second consecutive All-Star Futures Game.

The Marlins traded him to San Diego after he collected a pair of hits in last year’s showcase at Petco Park.

Now the hosts of this year’s All-Star Futures Game will get an up-close look at what their former first-

rounder is developing into.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Naylor said of his upcoming Miami homecoming.

As far as his newfound gains in the box, “It's about all the help I've gotten from the coaches this year and

the coordinators and staff and my teammates. I want to do whatever I can to help the team win, if that

means taking a walk or hitting a line drive in the gap to score a run – anything I can do to help the team

win.”

For now, that team is Lake Elsinore, although Quantrill and Naylor – both California League All-Stars –

have positioned themselves to follow left-handers Eric Lauer and Joey Lucchesi to Double-A San Antonio

soon. On Sunday, that team is the World roster in a major league park. Each day after, both will be that

much closer to big league futures.

Again, it’s just a start.

“I've hit the first couple checkmarks,” Quantrill said, “but I've got a ways to go.”

Hedges' two homers, late sac fly lift Padres By Todd Zolecki and AJ Cassavell / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- Austin Hedges did everything he could to help the Padres win Friday night at Citizens Bank

Park.

The Padres catcher hit a pair of solo home runs in the third and fifth innings before he hit a game-winning sacrifice

fly in the ninth in a 4-3 victory over the Phillies. Phillies right-handerNick Pivetta hung an 0-1 slider over the

middle of the plate in the third, which Hedges hit to left field for his 12th homer of the season. Hedges then ripped a

1-2 fastball down the middle of the plate to right field in the fifth for his 13th homer and his first-career multi-

homer game. Full Game Coverage

"Great swings, one to the pull side, one the other way," said Padres manager Andy Green. "To me, the biggest at-

bat of the day is the sacrifice fly."

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Hedges -- who had missed two straight games because of neck stiffness -- initially showed bunt against Phillies

closer Hector Neris in the ninth. He fouled the attempt straight back, and fell into a 1-2 hole before lifting a deep

fly to center that scored Cory Spangenberg from third. It proved decisive, as Brandon Maurer struck out the side

in the bottom of the ninth.

"I should've got the safety squeeze down," said Hedges. "It was a good opportunity for us to win the game. ... But to

still go out and win the at-bat -- that's tough to do sometimes after you screw up what you're supposed to do. To still

go back in and grind, get that sac fly, I was very pleased."

Padres left-hander Clayton Richard allowed just five hits, one run and one walk in six innings. He struck out two.

He would have pitched longer, except a one-hour, 34-minute rain delay forced him from the game. His only

mistake came in the fourth, when Tommy Josephhit a solo homer to right field.

Pivetta allowed five hits, three runs and struck out nine in seven innings. He allowed three home runs, including the

two to Hedges. Pivetta posted a 3.94 ERA in his final five starts before the All-Star break.

"I'll take three solo shots and not walking anybody and striking nine guys out any day," Pivetta said.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Williams sparks rally: Phillies pinch-hitter Nick Williams ripped a one-out double off the right-field wall in the

seventh inning to put runners on second and third with one out. Daniel Nava's fielder's choice scored Cameron

Rupp to cut the Padres lead to 3-2. Freddy Galvisthen laced a single to left field against Padres left-hander Brad

Hand to score Williams to tie the game, 3-3. "When you pinch-hit you have to swing the bat aggressively and he did," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said of Williams. Pirela crushes one: Padres left fielder Jose Pirela crushed a solo homer to left-center field in the first inning to hand the Padres a 1-0 lead. The ball travelled a projected 450 feet, according to Statcast™, and it left Pirela's bat at 109 mph. It is the longest homer hit this season at Citizens Bank Park, and the second-longest Padres homer this season. Wil Myershit one 453 feet on May 13 in Chicago against the White Sox. "That ball he hit was one of the hardest baseballs I've seen hit all year," Green said. "I think it was still going up when it went out." More >

QUOTABLE

"I'm a cheerleader, rooting on the guys. You want to stay in the game as long as you can, but when that's over with,

you're just pulling for your team." -- Richard, on the rain delay

"I think he had a play at first base. He didn't fire." -- Mackanin, on Rupp. It appeared Rupp had a chance to pick off

Spangenberg at third base in the ninth inning, but he held onto the ball

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

With 13 homers, Hedges continues to close in on Mike Piazza's franchise record for home runs by a catcher. Piazza

hit 22 in 2006. Hedges, meanwhile, reached 11 rather quickly. But until Friday, he hadn't homered since June 3.

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RENFROE AILING

Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe took a 95-mph fastball from Pivetta off his left wrist in the top of the sixth

inning. It ricocheted off the back of his forearm and clipped his right hand. Trainers checked Renfroe out, but he

would remain in the game, until the ninth inning, when Matt Szczur took his place. At that point, a blood blister

had formed on one of Renfroe's fingers, making it difficult for him to throw. The Padres are hopeful Renfroe will

be back in the lineup Saturday.

WHAT'S NEXT

Padres: Jhoulys Chacin makes his final start of the first half when the Padres face the Phillies in the middle game

of the three-game set at 1:05 p.m. PT in Philadelphia. He's looking for a strong finish, having seemingly turned a

corner in June. Over his last six starts, Chacin owns a 2.61 ERA.

Phillies: Right-hander Aaron Nola (6-5, 3.73 ERA) makes his final start of the first half in Saturday's 4:05 p.m. ET

game against the Padres. Nola is 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA in his last three starts, and 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA in his last six

starts.

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Lineup change pays dividends for offense Pirela mashes long HR out of three-hole, Myers goes 3-for-4 in move to leadoff

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com PHILADELPHIA -- Wil Myers looked an awful lot like a leadoff man Friday night, setting the table with three hits and a stolen base in the Padres' 4-3 victory over Philadelphia. Fitting, of course, because Myers was indeed the Padres' leadoff man in '16, and filled that role for the first time in 2017 Friday. In the meantime, Jose Pirela looked an awful lot like a No. 3 hitter, mashing his first-inning home run a projected 450 feet according to Statcast™ -- the longest dinger at Citizens Bank Park this season. Fitting, too, because Pirela was batting third for the first time in his career. "That ball he hit was one of the hardest baseballs I've seen hit all year," said Padres manager Andy Green. "I think it was still going up when it went out."

Pirela's blast left his bat at 109 mph and was the second-longest by a Padre this season. Only Myers' 453-foot moonshot in Chicago traveled farther.

Of late, however, Myers had fallen into a bit of a slump. He was 1-for-15 with 10 strikeouts in his previous four games.

"I've struggled pretty bad the last couple weeks, nothing really clicking," Myers said. "Maybe it's one of those things where a change of scenery in the lineup, just hitting in a different spot, can really get you going."

For one night at least, it worked. Before the game, Myers insisted he wouldn't change his approach simply to fit his new lineup spot. Nevertheless, he was a one-man rally in the top of the eighth, dropping a bunt single up the third-base line and swiping second three pitches later.

"Wil's as fast as just about anybody in Major League Baseball," Green said. "A lot of people don't realize that, because he's over there playing first base, he's hitting in the 3-hole. You put him in the 1-hole, and he starts bunting and running, you see some of the different aspects of his game. He's capable of doing a lot more than people give him credit for."

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The Padres had mulled moving Myers up in the lineup for the better part of the past week. After the game, Green was (half-jokingly) kicking himself for his decision not to do so sooner.

Ultimately, Pirela's success made Green comfortable enough to move Myers, knowing he had a run-producing bat to insert at No. 3. Since his June 6 callup, Pirela is now batting .300/.342/.527.

With a month like that, Pirela has earned his hacks in the middle of the Padres' lineup. And he'll get a few more.

"Jose Pirela's been outstanding," Green said. "... He's been huge for us. He's been a consistent at-bat guy, every single day he's been here. He'll be right back in that spot tomorrow."

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Friedrich shut down, may miss rest of '17 Left-hander rehabbing from arm soreness, lat strain, finger laceration

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com PHILADELPHIA -- Christian Friedrich experienced yet another setback in his long road back to the Padres' rotation. This one could be season-ending.

Throwing a bullpen session -- one of his first since a finger laceration halted his rehab stint -- Friedrich felt tenderness in his left elbow. He will receive tests in San Diego and has been shut down from throwing. "He's had a rough go, getting ready for this season," said Padres manager Andy Green. "As the days pass and the injuries mount, it becomes less and less likely we're going to see him any time soon."

Initially, Friedrich was shut down during Spring Training with general arm soreness. He was later diagnosed with a lat strain.

While recovering from that, Friedrich began to experience minor elbow soreness, and he didn't resume throwing until late May. A month ago, Friedrich was sent on a rehab stint, but that ended on June 23 when he sustained a blister on his left hand, which eventually became a finger laceration.

"He can't seem to get over the hump," Green said.

Friedrich was one of the Padres' most dependable starters in 2016, leading the team with 23 starts. Some late-season struggles pushed his ERA to 4.80, but he was mostly effective early in the year. News and notes • Catcher Austin Hedges returned to the Padres' lineup against the Phillies on Friday after missing two days with neck stiffness. Green said he expects Hedges to catch at least two games this series. But the Padres will wait to assess how he feels Saturday, before playing him in back-to-back games. • Padres utility infielder Chase d'Arnaud cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso on Friday. d'Arnaud came to the Padres as a mid-May waiver claim from Boston. He batted .143 over 22 games and was designated when the club recalled Trevor Cahill on Tuesday. • Lefty reliever Buddy Baumann has made three appearances in the Arizona League, having allowed one earned run and striking out three over 2 1/3 frames. This weekend, he's slated to pitch in multiple innings

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for the first time since he sustained a shoulder bruise during Spring Training. If that goes well, he could progress to a rehab assignment.

Padres busy during International signing period Club has brought 34 players into the organization despite spending cap

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com PHILADELPHIA -- Financially, the Padres can't make quite the same commitment to amateur international talent as they did a year ago. No one can.

After spending north of $80 million during the last signing period (including taxes), the Padres are under penalty for going well over their pool allotment. Even if they weren't, Major League Baseball's new Collective Bargaining Agreement has put a hard cap on international spending at between $5-6 million. But in the eyes of the Padres' scouting department, this year's signing period was simply more of the same.

"It didn't really change at all as far as getting around the players, getting to know them," said Padres international scouting director Chris Kemp. "That stays constant, regardless of how much you can spend. The other thing that really changed was knowing how the market would play out."

For the second straight year, the Padres have been one of the busiest clubs, numbers-wise, on the international market. Less than a week into the signing period, they've already brought 34 players into the organization.

Of course, none could sign for more than $300,000 -- one of the penalties under the previous CBA for exceeding their pool allotment. Kemp never took that as a reason to be hesitant.

"The scouting strategy as far as the players, the makeup, the talent -- that all stayed the same," Kemp said. "We're still shooting for the same type of players. But the biggest difference was understanding the variables -- teams under penalty, and which way the market might go."

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Here's a breakdown of a few of the Padres' more notable signings. Angel Solarte, CF, Venezuela A toolsy center fielder, Solarte has the looks of a big league prospect -- not to mention the above-average speed, defense, arm and bat speed. He mixes athleticism and bat speed at the plate. Yeison Santana, SS, Dominican Republic Santana, from the same town as Padres prospect Franchy Cordero, projects as a shortstop in the long-term (though he will need to fill out his youthful frame), with quick wrists that benefit him in the field and at the plate. Manuel Partida, LHP, Mexico The Padres considered Partida as the best amateur left-hander in Mexico. In that regard, they view his signing as a serious victory. Entering the year, they weren't sure he'd be available to them, given the club's monetary limitations. Frank Lopez, RHP, Venezuela Lopez checks in at 6-foot-2 but only 170 pounds with a fastball that touches the low 90s, and the Padres are high on his smooth mechanics. He could be the highest upside pitching prospect of the bunch if he can grow into his lanky frame. Jarryd Dale, INF, Australia The son of Phil Dale, who spent time as a coach in the Braves' and Reds' systems, Jarryd signed with the Padres for their max offer of $300,000. Phil is a bit of a legend in the Australian Baseball League, where he served as player/manager and won MVP, Pitcher of the Year and Manager of the Year Awards during the 1990 season. Yerry Landinez, SS, Venezuela A switch-hitting shortstop, Landinez will likely stick at the position, though his body is built well enough that he could project elsewhere, with an above-average arm and a solid bat.

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Under-the-radar Chacin aims to keep rolling By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com Jhoulys Chacin has been great against Philadelphia throughout his career, but he's been dreadful on the road in eight starts this season. Something has to give Saturday when Chacin squares off against Aaron Nola and the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Since the start of June, Chacin is riding a stretch in which he's posted a 2.61 ERA. He also owns a 2.25 mark in his career against the Phillies. But in eight road outings, he's allowed 38 runs (37 earned) in 36 2/3 innings. The Phillies counter with Nola, who has won his last three starts and has allowed just three runs in that span. Like Chacin, he's turned a corner since the start of June, having lowered his ERA from 5.06 to 3.73 in that span. Three things to know about this game

• The Padres haven't won a series in Philadelphia since they took two of three at Citizens Bank Park in April 2009.

• Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said right-hander Vince Velasquez is scheduled to make another rehab start next Thursday. He could rejoin the rotation sometime after that. Velasquez has been on the 10-day disabled list with a strained flexor in his right elbow.

• Padres catcher Austin Hedges returned after missing two games with neck stiffness on Friday night. In his first at-bat, he launched his 12th homer of the season -- his first in more than a month -- and followed with another home run in his next at-bat. AJ Cassavell is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassa

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Austin Hedges leads Padres to 4-3 win over Phillies AP PHILADELPHIA -- Austin Hedges got excited when he saw the bunt sign with the game on the line. That plan didn't work out, but the San Diego Padresbackstop still came through. Hedges hit a pair of solo homers and had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth, Jose Pirela also went deep and the Padres beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 Friday night. After Cory Spangenberg and Carlos Asuaje hit singles off Hector Neris (2-3), Hedges fouled off a safety squeeze before hitting a fly ball to right-center that drove in the go-ahead run.

"I wanted it," he said about being asked to put down the squeeze. "I love that moment. I take a lot of pride in my bunting. I'll probably work on it tomorrow."

Hedges got the job done, anyway.

"To get that sac fly, I was very pleased after I didn't get the bunt down," he said.

Padres manager Andy Green had no hesitations about asking a guy who has 13 homers to bunt. "He's really good at getting the safety squeeze down," Green said. "And as well as he had swung the bat today, you've got a strikeout pitcher on the mound with a very good split and a very good high fastball and if you're evaluating where his strengths and weaknesses reside, that's not the greatest matchup, which is great credit to him that even with two strikes he managed to get the job done. That was a great job after not getting the safety squeeze down."

Padres starter Clayton Richard allowed one run and five hits in six innings before a 94-minute rain delay forced him out. Brad Hand (2-4) got four outs for the win and Brandon Maurer finished for his 18th save. Richards was more impressed with Hedges' performance calling the game and swinging the bat.

"It's extremely impressive," Richards said. "I think catching at this level is the toughest thing to do in athletics."

Following the long rain delay before the bottom of the seventh, the Phillies rallied off San Diego's bullpen.

Cameron Rupp got it started with a single off Phil Maton, and pinch-hitter Nick Williams followed with a double. Rupp scored on a groundout, and Freddy Galvis hit an RBI single off Hand to tie it at 3-3. Phillies starter Nick Pivetta gave up three runs and five hits, striking out nine in seven innings. "Excellent job by (Pivetta)," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "Two of the three homers were on hanging curve and hanging slider but he pitched very well and should've won."

Pirela launched a 450-foot shot to left-center in the first. Hedges connected in the third and fifth . He missed the previous two games because of neck stiffness.

Philadelphia's Tommy Joseph hit an opposite-field shot to right for his 15th homer in the fourth. He also had a double and walked twice. "Still some things I'm working on but I've done a better job of putting the ball in the air which helps with extra-base hits," he said.

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THROWBACK

On Retro `80s Night, the Phillies wore white uniforms with maroon pinstripes while the Padres wore brown jerseys with yellow letters and numbers.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: LHP Christian Friedrichfelt tenderness in his left elbow during a bullpen session and will return to San Diego for tests. Friedrich, who hasn't pitched this season, has been shut down from throwing. Phillies: RHP Vince Velasquez will make his next rehab start at Class A Clearwater on Thursday. He's been sidelined by an elbow strain since May 31. UP NEXT

RHP Jhoulys Chacin (7-7, 4.52 ERA) starts for the Padres while RHP Aaron Nola (6-5, 3.73) goes for the Phillies on Saturday afternoon.