PADDACK APPEARS PRIMED TO OPEN

All that’s missing in six innings: strikeouts

If this is how Chris Paddack pitches on opening day, the Padres might start off this short 2020 season right.

The presumptive opening-day starter had two errors committed behind him and made an errant throw to first base that helped a run score, and he still blazed through six innings on 71 pitches in Sunday afternoon’s intrasquad game at Petco Park.

Paddack wasn’t overwhelming, as he did not record a strikeout. He was just surgically efficient and his typical strike-throwing self.

Internally, the Padres are talking as if it has been decided he will start July 24 against the Diamondbacks, and Paddack in his intrasquad appearances has looked every bit like he deserves the nod for even more than his strong rookie campaign.

He got through four innings in 44 pitches, as Josh Naylor’s infield single and Tucupita Marcano’s opposite-field single were the only hits to that point.

Luis Campusano, who struck out on the 11th pitch of his at-bat in the first inning, led off the fifth with a single to right that Edward Olivares mishandled. With Campusano on second, Franchy Cordero laid down a nice bunt to the right side, which Paddack handled and threw directly over the first base bag just as Cordero arrived there. Cordero ran through Eric Hosmer’s glove as the ball bounced away and Campusano scored. Hosmer’s wrist was examined by a trainer, and he stayed in the game.

Second baseman Greg Garcia could not handle a hard grounder hit well to his left by Taylor Trammell leading off the sixth. Trammell went to second on a grounder and scored on a single by CJ Abrams.

Pitchers up

Manager Jayce Tingler’s assessment didn’t pass the eye test when he said earlier this week that pitchers and hitters were about even in Padres’ intrasquad games.

It was clear that hitters were generally faring better.

In praising his pitching staff Sunday morning, Tingler inadvertently acknowl

edged the discrepancy.

“Now that the pitchers have had two outings, it seems like each time they’re touching the ball they’re getting better,” Tingler said. “The last two nights, the pitching has been super sharp. Now it’s time for our hitters to counteract and find a way to get on base. Early on it was some hitters winning the battle. … That momentum has shifted. It looks like (the pitchers) are

not just out there exercising their arm. It looks like they’re going for the throat and putting us away.”

In particular, starters have become sharper. Joey Lucchesi and Cal Quantrill, battling for he final spot in the rotation, turned in solid outings on successive nights. Garret Richards’ command was greatly improved Friday over his first start.

And Dinelson Lamet’s recent start was among the most impressive of camp.

The linebacker of a pitcher used the 3½ months

away from the game to further distinguish himself from the typical pitcher’s body.

“He’s had as good of a summer camp (as anyone),” Tingler said.

“He showed up here a couple weeks ago. The first thing I noticed is how … he’s gotten stronger, he’s gotten leaner, his conditioning has gotten better. His arm is in great shape. … He’s thrown the ball as well as anybody in his outings.”

Notable

Tommy Pham made his

Padres debut, such as it was, in left field in Sunday afternoon’s intrasquad game.

• The Padres will hold intrasquad games today and Tuesday at USD, in part to get used to playing in a different ballpark and in part to preserve Petco Park’s playing surface. Those games are not open to anyone, including media, as the campus is closed.

• The games Wednesday and Thursday evening are expected to be streamed online.

kevin.acee@sduniontribune.com