SHILDT SAYS: Reacting to Arraez’s 4-Hit Debut and Thoughts on Suarez, Offensive Approach
Less than two hours after arriving in the Padres’ clubhouse Saturday, two-time batting champion Luis Arraez began having an impact on his new ballclub — finishing his debut with four hits and two runs.
“We could not have planned that much better,” Padres’ manager Mike Shildt said after the Arraez-triggered, 13–1 Padres win Saturday night. “I mean, just after he ngets here he goes out and gets four knocks.
“I’ve seen him in the league before, but it’s pretty special to see him up close. It’s great to have him on our side. Clearly, it’s an amazing approach. I can see why he gets the rightful moniker of ‘The Sprinkler.’ I mean he’s an artist about being to put the ball around the whole field. That was a sight to behold. What a talent.
“I don’t think there’s any question. Luis got us going, kept us going … good at-bats, clearly professional at-bats. Our offense was in a good place and with that addition it takes us to the next level. I thought he added to the lineup … (Jurickson) Profar again with big at-bats, (Jake) Cronenworth with big at-bats early, Manny (Machado with a big double to open it up, (Jackson) Merrill and of course (Ha-Seong) Kim with a nice swing. Not trying to do too much, just trying to get the guy in. A lot of good at-bats.
“It wasn’t like we were searching for anything before Luis arrived. We were playing solid. And now we got a really good player to complement what we were doing.
“I appreciated how Luis came in and said ‘It’s about winning, I’m here to win.’ I talked to him about role and he said ‘I appreciate all that and that’s great. But I’m here to play baseball and I’m here to win games. Wherever you need me, you need me.’ So he’s as advertised. He’s a pro’s pro and genuine. His desire is to compete and win baseball games.
“He got here about 3:30 p.m. (before a 5:10 p.m. game). It’s pretty amazing, really. He got in and his teammates greeted him. He got to know some people, got his uniform and started hitting. Clearly, the other guys are excited about having the best hitter in the league. People who know him and know his makeup and what he’s about. He’s a big piece of our club and there’s a lot of excitement in the clubhouse.
“Now we see a guy who takes our approach to the next level. That’s only going to continue to feed our whole lineup. Like I said, down the line left field, right field, bullet to center field, rocket to shortstop … very impressive.”
Shildt then discussed closer Robert Suarez, who the Padres haven’t needed the past couple of nights.
“We had a good idea in spring training that Robert Suarez was going to be the guy to end games,” said Shildt. “We provided opportunities and he’s done nothing but reward that the way he’s performed. He’s also been able to go in and grab the end of the eighth and get the ninth when he’s appropriately rested.
“We’re grateful of that and he’s gone multiple days in a row. He’s done a great job in that role. We work every night to put ourselves in the best position to be ahead in the ninth. I’d like to have more games like Friday and Saturday where we had a nice lead going into the ninth. In the closer games, it’s good to have Suarez back there.
“He’s throwing a lot of quality strikes, dominating early counts. He’s attacking with conviction in what he’s doing. He’s been able to use an elite fastball, which is his calling card to establish quick outs. We have a history of having great closers.”
Shildt discussed the small-ball facet of the Padres’ offense.
“Little things lead to big things,” said the manager. “The biggest at-bat Friday was (Xander) Bogaerts’ at-bat in the third. He threw up a really long at-bat in the third that escalated the pitch count and set us up for the fourth and allowed us to do those little things that led to the back-to-back homers.
“The next thing you know, Manny gets on and Jackson drives him in. Profar moves a runner. (Tyler) Wade bunts … all the little things that lead to manufactured runs. We want to be able to beat you a lot of different ways and that was on display Friday night.”
