PEORIA, Ariz. — On the eve of their Cactus League opener, the Padres on Tuesday played a four-inning intrasquad game on a backfield at the Peoria Sports Complex. Catcher Austin Hedges' RBI single off Martires Arias proved decisive in a 1-0 victory.
The two teams consisted of players with less than a few years of major league service time, non-roster invitees and others on the periphery in the competition for opening-day jobs. Ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Seattle Mariners, the intrasquad contest allowed a number of the less experienced pitchers in camp to see game action.
Right-handers Arias, Jose Dominguez, Tayron Guerrero, Johnny Hellweg, Blake Smith and lefties Ryan Buchter and Carlos Vazquez all threw one inning apiece.