Rodon Sharp For White Sox, But Padres Win 5-0
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Matt Kemp collected his first two hits with San Diego, including a single against touted prospect Carlos Rodon, and the Padres beat the Chicago White Sox, 5-0, on Friday.
Kemp lined a single to left against Rodon in the first. He also flied to center and legged out an infield hit.
The slugger was acquired in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers and went 0 for 3 in his spring debut.
"It feels good, but I'm still working on some things," Kemp said. "Still trying to get my rhythm."
Kemp had some trouble in right, dropping a shallow fly on the run in a stiff wind in the second. But he recovered and threw to second for a forceout.
"The wind kind of pushed it in," he said. "But it still hit my glove, so I still have to make that play."
The 22-year-old Rodon, the third pick in the 2014 draft, struck out four -- all on sliders -- and hit a batter in two scoreless innings. The left-hander made a fast rise through the minors last year, finishing at Triple-A Charlotte.
"You see the sharpness that he has on his slider. . I think we're all excited about what he did," said manager Robin Ventura, who indicated Rodon likely will get another start in place of injured ace Chris Sale.
Odrisamer Despaigne and Brandon Morrow, competing for the final spot in the Padres' rotation, each pitched two innings of two-hit ball.
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