first pitch: 1:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Adam Eaton (7-1, 3.49 ERA) vs Jason Schmidt (3-1, 4.79 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS | SI | Padres.com
Just got in from Vegas; thanks to Jay for posting the key pitcher-batter matchups in yesterday’s comments. Here they are:
Good: (AB/BA/OBP/SLG/OPS) Sweeney: 20/.350/.458/.750/1.208 Hernandez: 15/.400/.526/.867/1.393 Jackson: 13/.308/.438/.615/1.053 Blum: 13/.231/.286/.538/.824
Ugly: Nevin: 20/.200/.261/.250/.511 Klesko: 41/.171/.286/.317/.603 Giles: 27/.074/.324/.222/.547
Good: Bonds (who cares, but his OPS is 1.227) Alou 16/.375/.412/.813/1.224 Tucker 8/.500/.500/.625/1.125 Durham 16/.250/.400/.688/1.088 Alfonzo 20/.300/.391/.600/.991 Snow 21/.286/.348/.524/.872
Ugly: Vizquel OPS with 6 AB .250; Marquis Grissom (out) has an OPS .274 in 28 AB's
Jay also had this commentary to offer, and I think it’s spot on: “I know it is asking for way, way too much, but today looks like a day to see Nady, Sweeney in there (I say give Nady a go if your big guns are so bad against Schmidt).”
The good news is, Sweeney and Jackson in are in today’s lineup. The bad news? Giles and Klesko play, Nady sits.
X Factor
Xavier Nady started in left field Saturday. Batting seventh, he singled in four at-bats. He also drove in the tying run in the seventh on what should have been an infield hit; unfortunately first base umpire C.B. Bucknor missed the call at first, so it was just an RBI ground out. Nady had one other nice at-bat; in the fourth, after falling behind 0-2, he worked the count full before flying to the warning track in left.
Pads have already clinched their second straight series win on the road against a division rival and a winning record on the road trip. Today they go for the sweep against one of the tougher right-handers in baseball.
Dave Roberts:
Inning 1 – 6 pitches
Inning 2 – 7 pitches
Inning 4 – 4 pitches
Inning 5 – 1 pitch (Jackson thrown out stealing)
Inning 6 – 4 pitches (BS K looking)
Inning 7 – 10 pitches
Inning 9 – 9 pitches
Dogs add an insurance run in top of 9th … now up 6-2 … Ricky Ledee with a PH single in the rally …
Fick got picked off on what was a border line balk (border line because they didn’t call it).
How often does a guy see 41 pitches in a game?
Is it fair to think that, given the piano on his back, Fick was leaning in an effort to avoid/prevent GIDP?
He was running on the play. It was a Hit & Run (there’s no way it was a steal).
Strike three! (Death)
Nice one Hoffy
So Geoff’s comment about “smarter on the basepaths” needs to be directed to Bochy? Ug …
Double for Ellison.
I don’t see anything wrong with the hit & run. I just think the pitcher balked.
Flyball to RF. (Taxes)
I wasn’t thinking specifically of the Fick pickoff. Also Roberts’ CS last night, and DJ sliding past the bag earlier today.
One strike away.
Strike three! (Hoffman)
BALLGAME!
Roberts was safe last night, but DJ’s coming off the bag was boneheaded. I gotta run. I’m already late for a barbecue. It was fun. Go Padres!
Sweep! Very nice. What a great road trip. As always, thanks for hanging out and chatting. Tomorrow night at Petco against the Brewers.
Man, this is fun.
Anyone know the pitching matchups for the Brewers/Pads series?
So here’s a stupid thought: Hammond intentionally let the sixth Giant run score after he was brought in, because he knows the Padres have been insanely clutch and he wants to vulture the win for himself.
Stupid because I’m sure I don’t believe that, but I couldn’t help think it as I was watching.
Also, C.B. Bucknor doesn’t appear to be very good at his job.
270-some comments. Holy Luis Tiant!
Farm Report … Sean Thompson continues to struggle at AA Mobile … now 0-3, 5.21 ERA.
Hmmm, I just checked the Portland box scores … they played a double-header … and a commenter @ pdxbeavers.com mentioned that that radio guys had said he might play in 2nd game … but that didn’t happen … rats …
Hey, nice to have a Luis Tiant sighting
The “he” in the previous comment about the Portland box scores is Tagg Bozied … I’m looking forward to his return to the Beavers’ lineup … and the prospect of his being able to contribute to the Padres this season, at least in September!
I always like to read interviews with Bill James … http://www.baseballdigestdaily.com/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=139 … he’s still my hero!
Every time someone interviews Bill James, they ask the exact same questions that are always asked of him.