Went to the game last night against Pedro and the Red Sox. He had it working. Not to take anything away from the guy, but he did get to face the dreaded Gonzalez-Matos-Kingsale triumverate in both the fifth and the eighth. Between the futlity of the Padres offense and the number of Boston fans in attendance, it sure felt like an exhibition game in Pawtucket.

Speaking of Julius (don’t call me "Hoolius") Matos, "The Freshmaker" is one of my favorite baseball nicknames.

In other news, the Pads have signed Ryan Klesko to a contract extension that will keep him in San Diego through 2006. We can only hope that the contract prohibits him from speaking in commercials. Love ya, Ryno, but those motorcycle ads are — in the parlance of the new order — tired.

Elsewhere, Padre first-rounder Khalil Greene has been named 2002 College Player of the Year by Baseball America.

Mobile right-hander Chris Rojas took a no-no into the ninth at West Tenn and homered in an 11-2 victory. More at the Mobile Register.

And here’s a story from the Register for the Jake Peavy fans: Peavy choice for a new generation. In addition to appearing on Pepsi cans in Alabama, he’ll also be the Pads’ lone representative at the Futures Game next month in Milwaukee.

Second baseman Josh Barfield is up to .282/.309/.365 at Ft. Wayne. His plate discipline still needs a lot of improvement but at least he’s starting to drive the ball a little bit.

Local product Kevin Nulton is off to a terrific start in the Northwest League. The young infielder just missed my preseason Top 30 prospects. Catcher Omar Falcon, #21 in my Top 30, has two homers in four games at Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League.

I’ll be out at the Elsinore game tonight. Mark Phillips is scheduled to pitch. Report to follow…