Perhaps a day off is just what the Padres needed.
After a rained out Sunday matinee, the Friars came back fresh Monday night and won the first game against the Texas Rangers in an interleague series, 5-1.
Before playing the Rangers, the Padres acquired Matt Szczur from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Justin Hancock.
Oceanside's Trevor Cahill was on the bump for San Diego and set the tone in the first inning when struck out the side.
In 5.1 innings, the former Vista High School star allowed just one hit and finished with seven punch outs.
The offense was in a groove as well. The Friars got on the board in the second inning off an RBI infield single by catcher Austin Hedges which scored infielder Ryan Schimpf.
The Padres closed out the inning with a 2-0 lead after Manny Margot singled to right field and brought in Hedges.
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Schimpf has been an absolutely rock star this season. In the third inning the infielder belted his ninth home run of the season.
Schimpf’s hit six homers in his last 11 games.
Hedges decided to double the fun by sending his own home run to center field in the fourth inning which gave San Diego a healthy 4-0 lead.
The Rangers got on the board in the seventh inning when outfielder Shin-Soo Choo hit a home run to left center field.
Padres infielder Cory Spangenberg quickly responded with his own solo shot, his first of the season, at the bottom of the inning to give San Diego the 5-1 lead.
The Padres face off against the Rangers Tuesday afternoon at 12:40 p.m. at Petco Park before heading to Texas for the final two games of the inter-league set.
Grossmont high school alum AJ Griffin is scheduled to start for the Rangers against his hometown club.
