PEORIA, Ariz. — The San Diego Padres secured a decisive 14-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at Peoria Stadium, showcasing strong offensive and pitching performances. Kyle Hart’s continued scoreless streak highlighted the team’s early-season promise during this spring game.
Notable Batting Contributions Fuel Padres’ Offense
Several Padres hitters made significant impacts at the plate. Gavin Sheets launched his first home run of the spring and currently holds a 4-for-18 batting record complemented by seven walks. Jackson Merrill contributed with a 2-for-3 day including his fourth double, maintaining a .333 batting average and an impressive 1.135 OPS across 24 plate appearances. Nick Castellanos drew two walks in three trips to the plate, raising his on-base percentage to .464 in 28 appearances. Jake Cronenworth, batting .364, added a triple among his eight hits in 22 at-bats.
The team’s eighth inning was particularly explosive, producing nine runs capped by Romeo Sanabria’s home run. The 23-year-old first baseman, who spent last year in Double-A, now boasts two home runs and two doubles in 17 at-bats. Jose Miranda, in camp on a minor-league deal, recorded one hit in three at-bats and leads the team with 10 hits in 27 at-bats, holding a .370 average as a seasoned corner infielder with 298 MLB games played.
Pitching Highlights: Hart and Gillaspie’s Shutout Efforts
Logan Gillaspie delivered another outstanding performance with four shutout innings, extending his scoreless streak to 7⅔ innings over three appearances. The right-hander allowed only two hits and walked two batters while securing eight outs through ground balls and two strikeouts. Having pitched in 12 games over the last two seasons for the Padres, Gillaspie is positioning himself for a potential bullpen bridge role.
Left-hander Kyle Hart continued his impressive spring showing by retiring all eight batters he faced on Sunday. Through five appearances, Hart has pitched 8⅔ innings without allowing a run, conceding just three hits. His consistent control suggests he is likely to begin the season in a bullpen position.
Additional Team Updates and Upcoming Matchup
Ramón Laureano was scratched from the lineup due to general body fatigue, an unexpected move as he was slated to start in right field instead of his usual left field position. Meanwhile, Castellanos displayed defensive versatility by making a remarkable leaping catch, adapting to his new role as a first baseman after eight seasons in right field.
The Padres will next face the Texas Rangers at 1:10 p.m. in Peoria, with right-hander Randy Vásquez scheduled for his third spring start. So far, Vásquez has pitched 4⅔ scoreless innings, allowing one hit, walking three, and striking out five, showing promise in his early outings.
