Vasquez Leads Padres' Surge

0:00It's April 23rd. This is MLB News today, driven by AI following the season in real time. The San Diego Padre started slow, but now owned the best record in baseball over the last few weeks. They've stuck right with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, despite big question marks in their starting rotation. Right-hander Randy Vasquez has stepped up big time, delivering quality starts nearly every time out and stabilizing the whole staff. In his five starts this year, Vasquez sported to sharp 1.88 earned run average. His latest gym came against the Colorado Rockies at hitter-friendly course field, where he tossed seven scoreless innings, allowed just three hits, and... Struck out five in a one-nothing Padre's win, manager Craig Stamman called it a fantastic outing, praising Vasquez for pounding the strike zone, keeping his pitch count low and racking up swings, and misses. Vasquez himself kept it humble, saying he just trusted his game plan and executed.

1:01Vasquez joined the Padre's in the huge trade that sent Juan Soto to the New York Yankees back when he looked like an afterthought. Now, with U-Darvers sidelined by injury and Joe Musgrove struggling to come back, he's become the guy they desperately needed alongside Michael King, up front. The team also added former All-Star Lucas Geolito for depth, but Vasquez leads the charge. If he keeps dominating, the Padre stays scorching hot, and he might even enter Sai Young talks down the line.