2004 April

Archive for April 2004

Tres Belles: The Sound of Sweeping

Friday, April 30, 2004
by Geoff Young

Maybe extending a pun across three languages isn't the best idea, but these are the Expos and this was the third straight night Trevor Hoffman came in to close out the game, so what the heck. Let's get a little crazy. The Padres completed a four-game sweep of MLB's problem child, the Montreal/San Juan Expos. MLB's despicable treatment of the franchise notwithstanding, the Expos came in and battled for four straight nights. But each time they fell just shy of victory. Despite MLB's best efforts, there is some talent on this club, especially in the pitching department. With even a few resources at their disposal (a home, some spending money), the Expos might not be that far from respectability. As it stands, they have to settle ...

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Another Day, Another Comeback

Thursday, April 29, 2004
by Geoff Young

In what is becoming a theme of sorts, the Padres once again came back from a late inning defecit to win at home. I can tell it's becoming a theme because with the Expos ahead 4-2 going to the bottom of the eighth, I just kind of expected the Pads to at least tie the game. That old helpless feeling I've grown used to over the past few years simply wasn't there. Sure enough, thanks to some timely hitting and hustle (not to mention a blown call by the first base umpire), the Pads surged ahead and hung onto win, 5-4. Trevor Hoffman worked a scoreless ninth for his fifth save and second in as many nights. A few thoughts: For the second straight start, Adam ...

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Call Him Ismael

Wednesday, April 28, 2004
by Geoff Young

Yeah, it's the Expos and they can't score runs. Yeah, he's doing it with smoke and mirrors. But Ismael Valdez threw eight scoreless last night and is now 3-0 on the year. The 2.42 ERA is great, but don't expect it to last. Of the 90 batters he's faced so far, all but seven have put the ball in play. His 1.61 K/9 makes Nate Cornejo look like Kerry Wood. Well, not really, but that's still an alarmingly low number. I'm thrilled that Valdez is having some early success, and I'm enjoying it while I can, but his stuff and stats suggest that there are darker times to come. For now, however, call him a pleasant surprise. Call him 3-0. Call him Ismael Valdez. Quasi-Random Observations I ...

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