Deivi Cruz hits a grand slam in the first inning and you still find a way to lose. The Pads went down fighting, but they lost again. Brian Tollberg got hit hard again, and with the help of Matt DeWitt, Jason Boyd, and some shoddy defense, turned a 5-0 first inning lead into an 8-5 defeat at the hands of the Phillies.

Even if Kevin Jarvis can make his start this weekend, it’s hard not to wonder how much longer before Ben Howard gets the call. I hope Tollberg can turn it around, but as I’ve said before, he’s got younger guys with better stuff on his tail, and his margin for error is almost nil.

The Padres swapped lefties with the Red Sox, exchanging the erratic Juan Moreno for minor-leaguer Andy Hazlett. Presumably Hazlett will pitch at Portland until an opening arises.

Eric Cyr left last night’s start against Huntsville after two innings. A line drive off the bat of Jackson Melian struck Cyr in the left leg. No word on the severity of the injury. If you happen to be in Mobile, hot dogs are 50 cents a pop at the ballpark tomorrow.

Geoff Young, purveyor of important information. Thank you very much.

Finally, some props to a couple of killer web sites. They’re over there in the Hot Links area, but I just like to mention them every now and then, because these are sites that I find extremely useful.

First, Chris Reed is doing some cool stuff over at ProtospectWatch.com. He has an article up on the importance of plate discipline that references something I wrote some time ago. Thanks for the virtual ink, Chris.

Second, pay a visit to Jay-Dell Mah’s AtThePlate.com for the buzz on what’s going on throughout the minors. All season long, he’s your man on the scene.

Keep up the great work, guys!