Chase Headley, Nick Hundley Power Padres Past Rockies; Matt Wieters Homers Twice for Orioles

Players of the Day for Monday, April 16, 2012

American League

Could this be the year that Matt Wieters lives up to his potential and becomes of the baseball's premier catchers?

Matt Wieters

With a blazing start to the 2012 campaign, this appears to be Wieters' year to shine.

The fourth-year pro capped a six-run 10th inning in Baltimore's 10-4 road win over the White Sox with a grand slam, his fourth homer of the season and his second long ball of the game.

Wieters finished 3-for-4 - his other hit a single - five RBI and a couple of runs as the Orioles took sole possession of first place in the AL East, 1/2 game ahead of the Blue Jays.

The numbers continue to improve. In 2010, Wieters hit .249, with 11 homers and 55 RBI. 2011 was better, at .262, 22 and 68. This season's .344, four homers and nine RBI has him on pace for a breakout season.


National League

With a 2-8 start, Padres' fans haven't had much to cheer about, and, even after Monday night's 7-1 win at Colorado, San Diego still trails the 9-1 Dodgers by 6 1/2 games, the largest deficit in the majors.

Nick Hundley

Chase Headley

If the Padres are going to be competitive, they'll need solid campaigns from two of their better hitters, third baseman Chase Headley and catcher Nick Hundley, who together produced six of San Diego's 14 hits, both players going 3-for-5.

Headley's hits were all doubles, and each time he arrived at second base, Hundley drove him in, with a double and two singles, collecting three RBI for the game.

San Diego's win snapped a four-game losing streak. The Padres continue their three-game series at Colorado Tuesday and Wednesday before returning home for four straight with the visiting Phillies.