A's Shut Out By Padres In Cactus League
PEORIA, Ariz. (CBS / AP) -- Tyson Ross said it felt weird trying to strike out his friends and former teammates.
It didn't hinder his performance, though.
Ross gave up two hits and struck out three in three innings, and Yonder Alonso hit one of the San Diego Padres' three homers in a 10-0 romp over the Oakland Athletics on Monday.
"Coming in I probably said hello to one too many guys and I heard it from the guys in the bullpen," said Ross, acquired by the Padres in trade this offseason. "They were chirping, telling me to cut the cord and whatnot, but those are my friends over there. It was good to see them."
It was the second straight scoreless outing for the 25-year-old Ross. But he needed 62 pitches -- 38 strikes -- to get through his outing.
Ross also flashed the electric movement on his pitches that prompted San Diego to trade for him. Ross has a four-seam fastball that tops out at 96 mph, a biting slider and a changeup that drops into the low 80s.
"The first step for Tyson is throwing consistent strikes," Padres manager Bud Black said. "When he does that, then he needs to work on hitting specific spots. If he can put it all together, Tyson can be effective at the major league level."
Ross believes a change of scenery will help him reach his potential. That didn't happen last year with Oakland, when we went 2-11 with a 6.50 ERA.
The Padres hope he can become a quality starter, although that may not come in time to begin the season as the No. 5 starter. Ross isn't worried about the immediate future.
"Playing for a new team has allowed me to hit the reset button," Ross said. "The coaching staff here believes in me, and this fresh start and it's been great for my confidence.
"Of course I'd like to secure a rotation spot or just make the big club, but I need to focus on what's going to help me be successful in the long term," he added. "I need to stay with the program, trust my stuff and know that good things will come if I keep working hard."
The Padres offense jumped all over valued Oakland starter Jarrod Parker, who gave up five runs and two home runs in four innings pitched.
"They didn't let him get away with mistakes," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "Anything left up in the zone, those guys were driving."
Jonathan Galvez and Travis Buck each homered for the Padres. Alonso had three RBIs.
Galvez provided the game's best offensive highlight. His second-inning home run rocketed over the left field wall, through a hospitality tent and out of the ballpark.
Padres closer Huston Street pitched a scoreless sixth inning, his third appearance of the spring.
NOTES: Padres OF Carlos Quentin, was slated to make his first official spring appearance -- he appeared in a rain-shortened game and a minor league "B" game -- but was scratched just prior to first pitch due to discomfort in his right knee. "It was mild this morning, but we saw no reason to push it," Black said. . Oakland RHP Fernando Rodriguez left the game with right elbow tightness. He faced just one batter before being removed. . INF Logan Forsythe is in a walking boot following an injection to ease his case of plantar fasciitis. Forsythe will miss three to four days once the boot becomes unnecessary. Black said he won't play for at least six days. . Padres OF Cameron Maybin is out with a lower back strain and is day to day. . The Padres optioned 3B Edinson Rincon and RHP Adys Portillo to Double-A San Antonio and sent OF Yeison Asencio to Class-A Lake Elsinore. . Oakland RHP Arnold Leon was reassigned to minor league camp.
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