Hoyer on the road

Jed Hoyer heads to Florida to go watch the hottest team in MLB play the Marlins.

By Corey Brock / MLB.com

04/25/10 2:35 PM ET

CINCINNATI -- On Monday morning, Jed Hoyer will fly to Florida to watch the hottest team in the Major Leagues -- the San Diego Padres.

The first-year general manager of the Padres will meet up with a team that has certainly been one of the biggest surprises of the season, especially since the team was pegged by many to finish last in the National League West.

What has Hoyer liked about the eight-game winning streak the Padres carried into their series finale in Cincinnati on Sunday?

In a word: Pitching.

"First and foremost, our pitching and run prevention has been good ... we're keeping the ball in the ballpark," Hoyer said by phone on Sunday. "Going down the line, everyone has been throwing the ball well and with confidence."

The Padres entered Sunday's game against the Reds having the lowest ERA (2.73) in the Major Leagues. San Diego ranks second in the Major League teams in opponent batting average (.220).

"The key to our early success is holding our opponent down," Hoyer said.

Hoyer has also seen things he's liked about the offense, one that's already produced two games of 10 or more runs. It's not so much the volume of runs that has impressed Hoyer, but how the Padres have gone about scoring them.

"One of the things that sticks out is how we're being aggressive and opportunistic on the bases," Hoyer said. "Our aggressiveness has led to some runs."

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Play Ball !!!

PETCO concessions see change for the better

Padres clue in and listen to the fans....
What a concept ! It's about time !!

Listening to the fans when the speak up is something this franchise really hasn't done much of in recent years. They like to claim they do, but when it's all said and done they missed the boat more often than not. Well the changes at the top seem to have a trickle-down happening, and it's good news for fans.

SAN DIEGO, CA - The San Diego Padres today announced everyday low pricing for general concessions, including lowering prices on many fan favorite foods and introducing new food options.

"We've spent a lot of time asking fans what they want," said San Diego Padres President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Garfinkel. "We listened and we're responding by creating more choices and improving affordability throughout PETCO Park."

Ballpark favorites - soda, hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts and bottled water - will be available for $4 each. All other general concession items will not see increases from their 2009 non-promotional pricing. In addition, fans will be able to purchase a Padres cap for only $7 and a team T-shirt for $8.

The Padres will offer a 14-ounce, $5 beer in 2010. A 20-ounce domestic beer - which cost $8.50 in 2008 - is now priced at $7.25.

The team is also introducing a $5 'Kids Meal,' which will feature healthier items and be available throughout the ballpark. "We are acting on fan suggestions by adding the Kids Meal and by introducing specific categories such as gluten-free food options," Garfinkel stated.

For the first time since the opening of PETCO Park, the Toyota Terrace Level will be open to all fans, allowing access to Club 19, Baja Bistro, the PCL Club and Coronado's. In conjunction with this expanded access, the Padres are implementing a Toyota Terrace restaurant reservation system for Founder's Club members to reserve tables. Fans can expect to see lower prices, the addition of kids' menus and new signature dishes on the restaurant menus across the Toyota Terrace level.

Additional improvements include a refresh of The Omni Premier Club which will offer "ballpark fare" alongside the current Premier Club dining options. The Padres have also upgraded their All-You-Can-Eat program by improving the seat location and reducing pricing. Seating is now in lower level sections and prices have dropped from $37 in 2009 to $29 in 2010.

The enhanced options and lower pricing go into effect on Opening Day, April 12th when the San Diego Padres take on the Atlanta Braves at 3:35 p.m. at PETCO Park.

$5.00 -- Kids Meal

$4.00 -- Small fountain soda
$4.00 -- Peanuts
$4.00 -- Popcorn
$4.00 -- Hot Dog
$4.00 -- Bottled water

$5.00 -- 14 oz. domestic draft beer
$7.25 -- 20 oz. domestic draft beer
$7.75 -- Plastic bottle domestic beer
$8.25 -- 20 oz. premium draft beer

$7.00 -- Padres cap
$8.00 -- Padres T-shirt

All other general concession items same as 2009 (no increases)

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Good job Padres..... This should go a long way in the eyes of most fans.

Play Ball !!!

Everth Cabrera getting some notice by MLB finally

Cabrera gets noticed

Well anyone that was actually paying attention to the Padres last year, while this kid wasn't on the DL, had to notice something pretty special about him. He was taken in the Rule 5 from the Rockies system, and came straight out of A ball to become the everyday starter at the ML level. That alone is amazing, but this kid handled the promotion like a veteran. He showed tremendous speed, great range, a cannon for an arm, and considering the jump in levels some pretty good plate discipline, which started the comparisons to another SS named Rafael Furcal. Padre fans can only hope he becomes the same type of player for their team.

April 7

The other Cabrera

It was supposed to be a quiet third day of the season with less than half of all teams on the April 6 slate.

We should have known better.

Pegged by many as a favorite late-round, middle-infield sleeper, Everth Cabrera went absolutely bananas against Edwin Jackson and the D-backs.

The 23-year-old shortstop -- who quietly stole 25 bases in just 103 games as rookie last season -- laced a double, legged out a triple, drove home four and (obviously) stole a base to boot.

The burgeoning youngster will have the green light all season and should steal 40 bags in his sleep. If he can actually provide some O to go with his legs, he'll easily go down as one of 2010's top breakouts.

One thing is certain.....the future is VERY bright for this budding star. Did we also mention that this was his first year playing SS after being converted from 2nd base ? Not too shabby !!

Play Ball !!!