Padres Power Past Rangers In Preseason Game
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Clayton Richard was thrilled to watch his San Diego teammates pound the ball against five Texas pitchers.
"Hopefully I can get used to that," the left-hander said. "That's definitely a good thing. It seemed like everything we hit found some place."
Chris Denorfia and Jorge Cantu each drove in three runs and the Padres beat the Rangers 15-5 Thursday night.
Orlando Hudson added three hits and two RBIs for the Padres, who finished with 19 hits. Cameron Maybin homered and Nick Hundley went 3 for 4.
Chris Davis hit a grand slam for the Rangers, who committed seven errors, leading to eight unearned runs. They lost their third straight.
Richard, slowed by a sore shoulder, went four innings in his second appearance of the spring. He gave up a run and four hits, struck out three and walked one.
"I thought that was a step in the right direction," Richard said. "Nick and I got into a good rhythm and I kept the ball down for the most part."
Richard, who threw 59 pitches, headed to the bullpen to continue his night with a simulated fifth inning as he continued to play catch up.
"Everything has been going well," he said. "I'm excited about going out there again in five days."
Maybin also robbed Michael Young of extra bases with a diving catch in the sixth inning.
"It seemed like I was running forever," Maybin said. "The ball held up for a long time."
Rangers starter Michael Kirkman lasted 2 1-3 innings, allowing nine runs -- four earned -- and eight hits.
"For some reason I'm struggling with my fastball command," he said. "I need to throw a lot of batting practice or bullpens. That's something I need to get on top of."
Kirkman, a candidate for the starting rotation, struggled with his command.
"I felt good about my stuff," Kirkman said. "That's something to build on. I couldn't locate my off speed stuff and every mistake I made they took advantage of, which they should. I'd fall behind and then I couldn't get the groundball when I needed."
The Rangers team record for errors in a regular season game is seven.
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