In-Game Discussion: Padres @ Giants (26 Apr 2005)
Tue, Apr 26, 2005
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 7:15 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Adam Eaton (2-1, 2.91 ERA) vs Jason Schmidt (2-1, 3.24 ERA)
game previews: ESPN | CBS SportsLine | SI
Featuring two righthanders who throw gas, this has the potential to be an exciting matchup.
AB BA OBP SLG
Eaton vs current Giants 142 .246 .318 .465
Schmidt vs current Padres 269 .238 .321 .372
For Eaton, it looks worse than it is; most of the damage has been done by Barry Bonds (.316/.435/.842, 19 AB) and Moises Alou (.462/.500/1.000, 13 AB). Bonds is on the DL and Alou just came off it, so with luck he’s still a little rusty. Ray Durham (.214/.353/.643, 14 AB) and Edgardo Alfonzo (.278/.350/.556, 18 AB) have also had success against Eaton; Marquis Grissom (.120/.185/.120, 25 AB) not so much.
On the flip side, Ramon Hernandez (.417/.533/.750, 12 AB) and Mark Sweeney (.294/.429/.588, 17 AB) have had success against Schmidt, as has Mark Loretta (.308/.326/.538, 39 AB). The heart of the order - Ryan Klesko (.158/.267/.289, 38 AB), Brian Giles (.040/.273/.160, 25 AB), and Phil Nevin (.200/.261/.250, 20 AB) - has struggled miserably against Schmidt. This might be a good time for Sweeney’s first spot start of the year. (Just checked, he’s spelling Nevin and batting #7.)
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
April 26, 2005 at 7:17 pm
Nevin out of the lineup. Sweeney in. Who’s watching?
April 26, 2005 at 7:18 pm
Hey. I’m watching/chatting.
April 26, 2005 at 7:19 pm
I’d like to see Dave force the pitcher to throw more than four pitches.
April 26, 2005 at 7:21 pm
Snow just let that one by. Gilly smoked it, but wow.
April 26, 2005 at 7:22 pm
That guy should be throw out. If you interfere with the fair balls, you should be out. Period.
April 26, 2005 at 7:23 pm
Mark Grant mentioned that Schmidt’s velocity on his fastball is down…
April 26, 2005 at 7:24 pm
Hernandez strands 2.
April 26, 2005 at 7:25 pm
Padres now 0-1, with RISP & 2 Outs. That’s always a fun stat to watch with this team.
April 26, 2005 at 7:33 pm
Good evening, all. Two questions:
1) Did anyone else think Roberts should have caught Snow’s fly ball? Looked like he turned the wrong way.
2) Does it seem like Eaton is throwing that loopy 12-to-6 curve he was supposed to have tightened up?
April 26, 2005 at 7:35 pm
I don’t know if Dave should have caught it, but I do know he should have been closer. He played it badly.
Moises Alou couldn’t hit it. We’ll see if he tightens it up or not.
April 26, 2005 at 7:37 pm
Sweeney freakin’ rocks!
April 26, 2005 at 7:38 pm
Burroughs weak fly to left. Aargh.
April 26, 2005 at 7:40 pm
Some of you may know this or may have even pointed this out, but the Pythagorean standings on Rob Neyer’s page says the Dodgers and Padres closer than meets the eye: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/neyer/index
April 26, 2005 at 7:48 pm
Yeah, Eaton is hanging those curves.
April 26, 2005 at 7:52 pm
Whenever a team gets out of the box like the Dodgers did, their Pythagorean will look worse than the standings. Likewise, when a team seems to be looking for new ways to lose (eg: our Pads), their Pythagorean tends to be better than the real record.
Base hit Roberts! He’d still make a damn fine fifth outfielder/pinch runner.
April 26, 2005 at 7:53 pm
Gotta love that double by Roberts. Smacks it hard off the dirt about two feet in front of the plate. Ball bounce over Snow’s head and Roberts just keeps running.
April 26, 2005 at 7:54 pm
Oddly enough, Leitner says this is the best stuff Eaton has had this year. Since I am listening on the radio at the office, and since Leitner’s a dolt, I’ll go with the Ducksnorts party line.
Coleman just said a called ball, “looks strikey to me.” I love that senile old fart.
April 26, 2005 at 8:03 pm
Padres are 1.5 back in the RS^2/(RS^2+RA^2) standings. It’s a shame they don’t count.
April 26, 2005 at 8:05 pm
Bad news: Pads have left 4 on base through 3 innings
Good news: Schmidt is up to 60 pitches
April 26, 2005 at 8:06 pm
Who’s listning to the Giants feed? Is this Kuiper and the other guy who are supposed to be so good? I am underwhelmed.
April 26, 2005 at 8:08 pm
I’m kind of curious to know whether people like Leitner or not. Personally, I really like him as he is understated and doesn’t take the game too seriously. Vasgersian, on the other hand, is horrible. Grant’s OK but kind of a doofus. What are your opinions?
April 26, 2005 at 8:12 pm
I like Vasjkl;sen, but he tries too hard. I can’t stand Grant. I don’t like Coleman much either. Where have you gone, Joe Garagiola?
April 26, 2005 at 8:13 pm
I’m okay with Leitner. I actually really like Vasgersian, except for his occasional rants about the 1996 Marlins - let it go already. I didn’t really appreciate Grant until Vasgersian came on; they work well together.
April 26, 2005 at 8:16 pm
Here are the standings if you use the 1.85 exponent (see http://www.baseballprospectus......icleid=342):
LA: 12-7 -
SD: 11-9 1.5
Ari: 9-11 3.5
SF: 9-11 3.5
Col: 8-10 3.5
April 26, 2005 at 8:16 pm
They threw at Sean’s feet again.
April 26, 2005 at 8:16 pm
Again, throwing at Burroughs’ feet.
April 26, 2005 at 8:17 pm
What is the deal with the pitches at Burroughs legs? What are they afraid of, more singles to left?
April 26, 2005 at 8:17 pm
I dunno, but I like Burroughs’ response: line shot back through the box. Heh.
April 26, 2005 at 8:25 pm
I say we start throwing at their No. 8 hitter.
April 26, 2005 at 8:27 pm
Yeah, Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper. That’s who it is. Not that anyone cares.
April 26, 2005 at 8:32 pm
Okay, so the difference between the 1.85 and the 2 exponents this early is miniscule. Guess I should’ve checked that first, huh?
April 26, 2005 at 8:38 pm
OMG, they’re arguing the case for Vizquel as a HOFer. Hello, Alan Trammell?
April 26, 2005 at 8:44 pm
Trammell was better than most of the HoF shortstops. Barry Larkin, who was even better than Tram, might get screwed, as well.
Speaking of screwed, how sad is it that Lou Whitaker, a better player than MANY HoFers, was wiped from the ballot after one year?
April 26, 2005 at 8:44 pm
He’s not a HOFer. But seven steals for an old man is good. That was a good hit by Snow, but do all of our outfielder look lost?
April 26, 2005 at 8:46 pm
I think Vizquel has an argument, but not a good enough argument. If they elected him, I wouldn’t cry about it. He’s been a hell of a player, offensively and defensively.
Ramon’s a hell of a player, too!
April 26, 2005 at 9:00 pm
Finally, a nice play from the outfield.
April 26, 2005 at 9:01 pm
You don’t see IBB next to Matheny’s name too often.
April 26, 2005 at 9:01 pm
Lance: Good call on Whitaker and especially Larkin.
Kevin: Yeah, they look lost. Klesko’s diving catch of a routine fly ball was great.
April 26, 2005 at 9:02 pm
Leitner is a very good play-by-play guy (baseball & basketball). Coleman is great. Vasgersian is decent. Mud gets on my nerves, but is still good at what he does.
April 26, 2005 at 9:04 pm
Vizquel actually has a pretty decent argument as a HOFer.
April 26, 2005 at 9:06 pm
Roberts’ approach at the plate vexes me…
April 26, 2005 at 9:07 pm
Richard: Vizquel wouldn’t be the worst choice but there’s no way he’s in there if Trammell isn’t.
April 26, 2005 at 9:08 pm
Trammell: http://www.baseball-reference......al01.shtml
Vizquel:
http://www.baseball-reference......om01.shtml
“Vex” is a great word, BTW.
April 26, 2005 at 9:08 pm
The models for Vizquel would be Ozzie and Aparicio. Don’t know how he compares to those right off hand.
April 26, 2005 at 9:09 pm
Then there are veterans committee guys like Reese and Rizzuto. The former is deserving, the latter is not.
April 26, 2005 at 9:11 pm
Oh man, that was a great relay. I didn’t think they had a chance to get Giles. Just got in there.
April 26, 2005 at 9:11 pm
Good bit of baserunning by Giles.
April 26, 2005 at 9:14 pm
Half of Vizquel’s Top 10 comps through age 37 are in: Ozzie, Rabbit Maranville, Aparicio, Reese, and Dave Bancroft.
April 26, 2005 at 9:14 pm
Schmidt has thrown 125 pitches.
April 26, 2005 at 9:15 pm
Schmidt up to 128 pitches.
April 26, 2005 at 9:16 pm
This is a great battle between Ramon and Schmidt.
April 26, 2005 at 9:18 pm
Those are good comps. If he is viewed as the Ozzie or Aparicio of his generation, then he may get in. Unfortunately for Trammell, he got lost in the Ozzie-Yount-Ripken love-in. He did everything well, but wasn’t exceptional at anything.
April 26, 2005 at 9:21 pm
I agree that Trammell is more deserving, I hadn’t really noticed that was the debate. I was just saying Vizquel is a candidate in my eyes. Ramon did a great job laying off that slider…
April 26, 2005 at 9:25 pm
Vizquel will lose in the A-Rod, Jeter, Nomar love-in. They might still be active when he appears on the ballot, but they (as well as Miggy) will have set a standard beyond him.
I’d call Omar a poor man’s Ozzie, and a Looie in faded colors. And that ain’t bad. But we ain’t puttin’ Bobby Bonds in the Hall of Fame just because he reminded folks of Willie Mays.
That said, I’m heading home to WATCH the rest of the game. Enjoy, boys.
BTW, any of you guys going to Monday’s game?
April 26, 2005 at 9:31 pm
Damn.
April 26, 2005 at 9:35 pm
I repeat: Damn.
April 26, 2005 at 9:36 pm
Sweeney can’t catch, Sweeney can’t throw, Roberts can’t throw. Can anyone play defense?
April 26, 2005 at 9:36 pm
Nady’s got a good arm…
April 26, 2005 at 9:36 pm
What a waste of some great pitching by Eaton.
April 26, 2005 at 9:37 pm
The defense of this Padre club is atrocious.
April 26, 2005 at 9:38 pm
Can’t anybody here play this game?
April 26, 2005 at 9:40 pm
Sandy’s gonna have some work to do.
April 26, 2005 at 9:43 pm
Nevin is the Padres’ leader in HR at PacBell (with 4).
April 26, 2005 at 9:44 pm
“What do you want me to do, Bruce?” - the ump
April 26, 2005 at 9:44 pm
This team should be built with pitching and defense because of their home park. Just like when Mariners had 100 wins under Pinella.
April 26, 2005 at 9:45 pm
They have the pitching.
April 26, 2005 at 9:46 pm
.100/.100/.200/.300
Phil’s numbers against Benitez.
April 26, 2005 at 9:48 pm
Uh, they’re a little better now.
April 26, 2005 at 9:48 pm
.182/.182/.545/.727
Just like that!
April 26, 2005 at 9:48 pm
You know what’s great? Benitez still needs to get six more outs.
April 26, 2005 at 9:48 pm
Exactly what I was thinking, Geoff.
April 26, 2005 at 9:49 pm
Vasgersian is right to praise Bochy’s managing of the lineup tonight.
April 26, 2005 at 9:50 pm
Roberts squares around to bunt every at-bat.
April 26, 2005 at 9:50 pm
That was almost comical looking.
April 26, 2005 at 9:51 pm
It almost feels like the Giants want to lose more than the Padres.
April 26, 2005 at 9:51 pm
I agree that the have pitching. I was just being specific.
April 26, 2005 at 9:53 pm
Loretta gave that one a ride. We can get to this guy. Benitez only needed 13 pitches. Would’ve been nice to work the count more. But we’ll take the runs.
April 26, 2005 at 9:53 pm
I know, Kev. My point was that they didn’t have the defense more than that they had the pitching. heh
April 26, 2005 at 9:54 pm
Hell yes, we’ll take the runs.
April 26, 2005 at 9:57 pm
It disturbs me somewhat that X is the last player Boch would put into the game.
April 26, 2005 at 9:58 pm
This Snow at-bat has me worried.
April 26, 2005 at 9:58 pm
Damn.
April 26, 2005 at 9:58 pm
I shouldn’t have said anything.
April 26, 2005 at 9:59 pm
You just can’t trust Linebrink and Otsuka with leads like you used to.
April 26, 2005 at 9:59 pm
Aki hasn’t fooled anyone that I’ve seen this season.
April 26, 2005 at 10:00 pm
Some of what they did last year was statistically anomalous.
April 26, 2005 at 10:01 pm
If the Padres don’t score in the 9th, it can’t be said that Aki doesn’t deserve the loss.
April 26, 2005 at 10:05 pm
Why is Hyzdu hitting?
April 26, 2005 at 10:05 pm
Okay, now he only needs two outs.
April 26, 2005 at 10:06 pm
Because he was due, LOL.
April 26, 2005 at 10:06 pm
I’m not impressed.
April 26, 2005 at 10:07 pm
Surprised he didn’t call the second pitch a strike, too.
April 26, 2005 at 10:07 pm
How did they let Hyzdu steal second?
April 26, 2005 at 10:08 pm
This is a huge AB for Ramon. He has to come through.
April 26, 2005 at 10:09 pm
Benitez missed badly and Ramon popped it up.
April 26, 2005 at 10:10 pm
Giant fan is nervous.
April 26, 2005 at 10:11 pm
What the hell was that?!
April 26, 2005 at 10:11 pm
The umpire has just killed them in this inning. Surprised he didn’t ring him up. That one was closer.
April 26, 2005 at 10:11 pm
You guys leave?
April 26, 2005 at 10:12 pm
That was awful.
April 26, 2005 at 10:12 pm
I hope it needs to be amputated.
April 26, 2005 at 10:13 pm
The umpire put Blum & Hernandez in lousy counts with lousy umpiring.
April 26, 2005 at 10:13 pm
I’m mad at the plate umpire, I’m mad at our defense, I’m mad at J.T. Snow. We can’t give away games like that. There is no way the Giants should have won this one.
April 26, 2005 at 10:14 pm
The Giants tried to lose, but the Padres and the home plate umpire would have none of it.