RANDY JONES SHUTS OUT CINCINNATI AS PADRES ROLL ON OPENING DAY
Eternal Baseball Press
SAN DIEGO – Randy Jones was in postseason form, even though baseball’s postseason is 161 games away.
The San Diego ace was brilliant on Opening Day, throwing a five-hit shutout over an imposing Cincinnati lineup. The Reds have more on their minds than a season-opening loss – catcher Johnny Bench landed awkwardly as he tried to leg out an infield single in the first inning. Bench had to be helped from the field, and was sent for tests on an apparently injured ankle.
Jones and Reds starter Bob Ewing traded zeroes for the first four innings, but the Padres’ bats struck in the bottom of the fifth. Ken Caminiti led off with a walk, advancing to second on Mark Loretta’s groundout. Jones grounded to third baseman Eugenio Suarez, but his throw to first baseman Joey Votto was high, allowing Jones to reach safely and Caminiti to advance to third. Adrian Gonzalez followed with a single to center that scored Caminiti and gave San Diego a 1-0 lead. Ewing’s next pitch skipped past backup catcher Ernie Lombardi, advancing the runners to second and third. Tony Gwynn’s fly ball to center field looked like it would set up a play at the plate, but Eric Davis’ throw was offline, letting Jones score to push the Friars’ lead to 2-0.
San Diego doubles their lead in the sixth inning, scoring on a Caminiti sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Mark Loretta. The 4-0 lead was plenty for Jones, who breezed through the late innings, striking out Barry Larkin to complete the shutout victory.
Jones (1-0) earned the shutout win (9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K) and Ewing (0-1) took the loss (8 IP, 20 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K).
Game two of this three-game set is tomorrow night, San Diego sends right hander Tyson Ross to the mound to face Cincinnati lefty Noodles Hahn. First pitch from PetCo Park is at 7:05 PM PST.
Photo Credit: Petco Park by Eric Ward
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