Will Venable

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - San Diego Padres - INSIDE PITCH Alexi Amarista is one of the more intriguing players on the Padres. Known affectionately as "Little Ninja" among his teammates, Amarista checks in (optimistically) at 5-foot-5 and 150...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - San Diego Padres - INSIDE PITCH Clayton Richard threw a three-inning simulated game Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field just before Burch Smith's bad debut (six runs allowed in one inning plus seven hitters) in...

2B Alexi Amarista hit a go-ahead solo homer in the fifth, his second of the season. All seven of his career homers have come against right-handed pitchers. "Alexi, when he plays, he contributes, whether it's with the glove or the bat," manager Bud Black...

The Sports Xchange Rays win fifth straight game ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Sam Fuld said Sunday's 4-2 sweep-clinching win over the San Diego Padres fit more of their "blueprint." There was sparkling defense, including Fuld's...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - San Diego Padres - INSIDE PITCH Even before the Padres were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend in Florida, there were warning signs that their recent run of success -- 11-3 in the 14 games leading into...

The Sports Xchange Rays 4, Padres 2 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Right-hander Roberto Hernandez threw six strong innings and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for two runs in the sixth for a 4-2 come-from-behind win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday at...

SportsDirect Inc. Preview: Padres at Rays The Tampa Bay Rays have uncharacteristically struggled on the mound this season, but their offense is starting to make a habit of bailing them out. The Rays look to stay hot with the bats as they go for the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays starter Alex Cobb wasn't sure to feel after his unusually historic start against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Tropicana Field. On one hand, he threw only 4 2/3 innings, snapping the Rays' season-...

SportsDirect Inc. Recap: Rays 6, Padres 3 Rays 6, Padres 3: Ryan Roberts and Ben Zobrist each delivered two-run singles as Tampa Bay scored four times in the seventh inning to take the lead and held on to beat visiting San Diego. Evan Longoria added...

The Sports Xchange Rays 6, Padres 3 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays rode an unusual historic start from Alex Cobb and a four-run seventh inning to a 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Tropicana Field. Cobb struck out 13 and...

The Sports Xchange EditorsNote: Eds: Corrects headline. Tampa Bay starter Cobb shuts down Padres in 6-3 win ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays starter Alex Cobb wasn't sure to feel after his unusually historic start against the San Diego Padres on...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - San Diego Padres - INSIDE PITCH After a slow start, rookie infielder Jedd Gyorko is finding his stride both at the plate and in the field. Gyorko, 24, has been playing only at second base since Chase Headley...