Padres Postgame: Friars Shut Out Cubs, Secure First Spring Training Victory

First W of 2024!

The San Diego Padres are finally in the win column for the 2024 season. It's only spring training, but a win is a win. 

On Sunday, the Padres earned a win over the Chicago Cubs, which they blanked by the score of 7-0. 

That's a W! pic.twitter.com/sUJOzJcXzR

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 25, 2024

The Padres' starting catcher against the Cubs, Kyle Higashioka, got things started in the first inning when he drove in Jackson Merrill via a sacrifice fly to right field.

In the next inning, Merrill singled to left to bring in two more runs to balloon the lead to three. 

In the fourth inning, left fielder Jose Azocar hit the game's only home run. Azocar hit a solo home run to left center, giving him his first spring training home run. 

In our best @jesseagler voice: "That one's GONNA GO!" pic.twitter.com/cwLDzQgjYY

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 25, 2024

Proceeding the home run, the Padres added two more runs in the sixth inning and their final run in the ninth inning thanks to a Jakob Marsee double that drove in Clay Dungan. 

The Friars pitching staff was lights out. The Padres trouted out eight pitchers, and they were all-electric, allowing only three hits, five walks and ten strikeouts. Starting pitcher Randy Vásquez set the tone, allowing zero hits, zero runs, two strikeouts and only two walks. 

The Padres looked great throughout the game and handed the Cubs their first loss of spring training. It was great to see the Friars pick up their first win of 2024. We'll see if they can build off the momentum and pick up another victory tomorrow against the Cleveland Guardians.