For one day, PETCO Park is field of dreams
That "something" was hitting a 400-foot home run at PETCO Park on Sunday to help the High Desert Mavericks to a 9-3 victory over the Lake Elsinore Storm in a California League game at the home of the San Diego Padres.
Simply playing at a Major League stadium was a thrill for Moye and members of the Mavericks and the Storm who participated in their own version of fantasy baseball. Not even the fact that Lake Elsinore, the first-half champion, was losing its club-record 14th straight game could dampen the players' enthusiasm.
"It was a great experience to get out here and feel the atmosphere of a Major League ballpark, it was fun," said Storm first baseman Fernando Valenzuela Jr., who has been at more than his share of big league venues with his famous dad.
"My most recent memory was watching my dad pitch at Qualcomm Stadium when I was around 12 or 13. I was a lot younger when dad was pitching at Dodger Stadium, so that wasn't fresh in my mind. It's such a great feeling playing in a big league park. You're so close to being there permanently, and it's certainly more exciting for the guys."
One of the most excited guys was Mavericks right-hander Patrick Green, who pitched six solid innings for the victory. He had spent most of the season with the Burlington Bees, the Royals' affiliate in the Class A Midwest League, where he went 6-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 19 games. The 23-year-old was promoted to High Desert on July 26.
Just weeks after pitching at Community Field in Burlington, Green was throwing strikes at PETCO Park. But he was not overwhelmed.
"It's a nice mound, but everything is pretty much the same," Green said. "It's just you and the catcher. If you're noticing all the stuff is definitely not a good thing."
Asked how well he slept Saturday night, he replied, "I slept good. I wasn't nervous, no nerves. Of course, getting some runs in the first couple of innings relaxes you a little." Green noted that when the ball was hit, "you could hear an echo" since few fans hung around after the Padres were beaten by the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-3.
"Playing at their stadium and ours is a lot louder," Green said. "I just settled in and tried to throw strikes and keep my defense on its toes."
Green's parents and three friends, who are in the military and stationed in San Diego, were on hand for the game.
"I really would like this (ballpark) to be home some day, that would be nice," he added.
Green's counterpart, Arturo Lopez, was hoping his first trip to PETCO Park would not only be exciting but also help end his slump. The 22-year-old left-hander started the season 5-2, but had dropped his last six decisions and hasn't won since June 16.
"It was a great experience for me, playing a Minor League game in a big league park," said Lopez. "I felt really comfortable, but I was disappointed that I wasn't able to do my job. I couldn't help my team today, but I'll keep working."
Lopez pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up the two-run home run to Moye during a four-run second inning that gave High Desert a 6-0 lead.
"It was a fastball. I tried to come inside, but I left it up and he took advantage of it," Lopez explained.
"I've been seeing the ball well the last week or so," said Moye. "The big backstop (batter's eye) made the background nice and I could see it well, and I just kind of got hold of it and it carried."
Moye attended Spring Training with the Royals earlier this year.
"I got to see those guys and how they go about their business," he said. "It was real fun to get in their heads and see what they know and what you don't know, which is pretty much everything.
"I had played in a Major League park before at Minute Maid when I was in high school, playing in a showcase game, but it was nothing compared with this park. And to hit a home run here was terrific and something I hope to build on over the next few weeks."
And that's what most of the Minor Leaguers who played here Sunday hope to do -- live out their baseball fantasy.
Sandy Burgin is a contributor to MLB.com.