In-Game Discussion: Padres @ Mariners (21 May 2005)
Sat, May 21, 2005
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Brian Lawrence (2-4, 5.24 ERA) vs Gil Meche (3-2, 5.25 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS | SI | Padres.com
Jake Peavy dominated as usual Friday night, holding the Mariners to three singles over seven innings in the Pads’ 6-1 victory at Safeco. Friars have won eight in a row and 17 of 20. Tonight Brian Lawrence tries to conquer his road demons. In four starts away from Petco this year, opponents are hitting him to the tune of .382/.449/.632. He’ll face right-hander Gil Meche, whose season stats look eerily similar to those of Lawrence. The Padres once again will be without the services of second baseman Mark Loretta, whose status remains uncertain for now.
AB BA OBP SLG
Lawrence vs current Mariners 91 .264 .302 .396
Franklin vs current Padres 31 .290 .371 .355
Not a lot of at-bats against Lawrence. Only Adrian Beltre (.171/.216/.314 in 35 AB) and Dave Hansen (.385/.429/.385 in 13 AB) have faced him more than 10 times. Richie Sexson and Scott Spiezio have the lone jacks.
I can’t think of anything to say about Meche. Okay, how about this: In 93 career starts, opponents are just 16 for 32 in stolen base attempts against him. So if Dave Roberts (.328 OBP) can reach base, we’ll have to keep an eye on that. Which reminds me, FREE XAVIER NADY!
Here are the May stats of some guys who play the same positions as Nady:
AB BA OBP SLG XB/H ISO
Sean Burroughs 60 .217 .288 .217 .000 .000
Phil Nevin 66 .288 .310 .348 .105 .060
Dave Roberts 61 .213 .315 .361 .385 .148
How is Roberts the power option out of that group? Anyway, the point is, the Padres have played 18 games this month and Nady has just 17 at-bats. That ain’t right.
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May 21, 2005 at 7:29 pm
Don’t free Nady. Sure, he’s not getting the ABs, but we’re winning with the mixture we’re using. Why change it? Roberts brings something to the table that no other Padre can. He brings speed, a good bat, great base-running and great range. The only things that Nady brings that Roberts doesnt is a better arm and power.
May 21, 2005 at 7:30 pm
The Mariners open their half of the first with four consecutive hits for three runs. Still no outs. Lawrence still struggling on the road, but this time, it’s a pitchers’ park.
May 21, 2005 at 7:32 pm
BLaw is our Achilles heal on the road. We need for him to settle down and get some outs.
May 21, 2005 at 7:32 pm
I agree. I don’t think getting at-bats for Nady is the answer to anything, especially when he can’t field like Roberts and Burroughs, and the Padres don’t really need any answers the way they are playing.
May 21, 2005 at 7:34 pm
I dont mind Nady getting the nod with a Lefty, but otherwise, dont just give ABs for no reason. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as DH this year, but I have NO problem with Sweeney in there. He’s hot this year.
May 21, 2005 at 7:34 pm
That hit by Randy Winn was a gift of the highest quality. I just started watching the game but before that I caught the replay on Baseball Tonight and Geoff Blum had the slow roller go right under his glove as he was moving to his left. It was a routine out IMO.
May 21, 2005 at 7:36 pm
DJ should be at 2B…Blum should be on the bench. Defense is key.
May 21, 2005 at 7:36 pm
He had to dive. I guess that’s why it was a hit. But Loretta would have had it.
May 21, 2005 at 7:37 pm
We need this game bad. AZ already lost, so its our chance to make our move and put some room between us and the rest. Plus, the ‘gers also lost AGAIN. Nice they finally are becoming the team I thought they’d be.
May 21, 2005 at 7:38 pm
As I look at Lawrence’s game log, his bad road stats are because of two really bad starts, at Chicago and at Arizona. At Cincinnati and St. Louis, his ERA went down.
May 21, 2005 at 7:40 pm
The other question I have about Blum, was why the heck was he playing so close to 2B? Ichiro was already there. Was he trying to keep him close or something? That was definitely routine.
May 21, 2005 at 7:40 pm
Mariners announcers just quoted Burroughs as saying, “well, my dad may have had more power, but I’ll stil get my hits.” I also remember, after his homer, reading somewhere a quote from him that was something to the effect of, “this isn’t gonna change anything, I’m not gonna start swinging for the fences now.” I wonder if he’s becoming stubbornly content with the singles hitter he has become.
May 21, 2005 at 7:40 pm
That was an egly dive from Blum though.
May 21, 2005 at 7:40 pm
From the Mariners announcers: Greene eats a bowl of oatmeal every morning and a can of tuna every night.
May 21, 2005 at 7:41 pm
er ugly even.
May 21, 2005 at 7:41 pm
BLaw is up and down. Some games he looks masterful, others he doesnt. I know its raining in Seattle. I wonder if that’s affected his movement a little.
May 21, 2005 at 7:42 pm
Eric if that is representative of Sean’s opinion, he will find himself out of a job quick. 2 extra base hits for the season so far is horrible, and the double was off someone’s glove!
May 21, 2005 at 7:42 pm
I really like Sweeney as the DH in the No. 2 hole.
May 21, 2005 at 7:43 pm
I love the way our lineup works up these high pitch counts, though…even when they’re not scoring.
May 21, 2005 at 7:43 pm
The Mariners’ announcers are about to put me to sleep.
May 21, 2005 at 7:43 pm
Yeah, I heard the oatmeal comment. I wonder if they’re trying to be Vin Scully.
May 21, 2005 at 7:43 pm
That third strike call was generous.
May 21, 2005 at 7:43 pm
Too close to take Khalil
May 21, 2005 at 7:43 pm
meche: 5 outs, 41 pitches
May 21, 2005 at 7:44 pm
Greene WANTED to show some emotion, there. I saw it. Head down, nostril flared for just a second.
May 21, 2005 at 7:45 pm
10-pitch at-bat from Greene. The Mariners announcers are not bringing it. In the first, they kept saying how the Mariners had to score runs to win. Gee, really, I smell Moneyball II.
May 21, 2005 at 7:45 pm
If we don’t score a ton of runs off Meche, we dont deserve to win. All we have to do is take and he’ll walk 2 out of 3 batters. He’s all over the place.
May 21, 2005 at 7:46 pm
Nice rope Blum
May 21, 2005 at 7:46 pm
We should be able to wear down Meche. I would like to think that we can come back without too much trouble and what do you know, Blum just doubles in Burroughs as I write. 3-1.
May 21, 2005 at 7:47 pm
Bad luck for us
May 21, 2005 at 7:47 pm
Nevermind. Ground rule double. Hit the foul poll. Burroughs goes back to third.
May 21, 2005 at 7:49 pm
SAhweet!
Who wants Nady? lol
May 21, 2005 at 7:49 pm
CLUTCH by DR. CLUTCH
May 21, 2005 at 7:50 pm
that’s DR, short for Dave Roberts. I’m not calling him, “Doctor Clutch”
May 21, 2005 at 7:50 pm
Come on Sweeney…stroke a two bagger
May 21, 2005 at 7:54 pm
Great AB so far for Sweeney
May 21, 2005 at 7:54 pm
Great AB so far for Sweeney
May 21, 2005 at 7:54 pm
even when K’ing, they’re having good ABs today.
May 21, 2005 at 7:55 pm
Sorry for the double post…froze up
May 21, 2005 at 7:55 pm
Meche: 2 IP, 59 pitches. This lineup is a pleasure to watch.
May 21, 2005 at 7:55 pm
10-pitch at-bat for Greene and 9-pitch at-bat for Sweeney. Both were outs. Those won’t show up in the boxscore, but that was nice work that helps wear Meche down.
May 21, 2005 at 7:57 pm
Nice pitch count indeed on Meche. 3 LOB though through 2. They will get their chances if they keep this up.
May 21, 2005 at 7:58 pm
Looks like the ump is extending the zone a bit on the outside for BLaw…hope that sticks
May 21, 2005 at 7:59 pm
Nice inning from Lawrence.
May 21, 2005 at 8:01 pm
Damnit
May 21, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Damn Ichiro! Nice catch, Ryno was robbed.
May 21, 2005 at 8:03 pm
These Mariner announcers both sound like they are in their 70s and need glasses. They need replays to verify everything!
May 21, 2005 at 8:03 pm
why isnt Ichiro in CF!! Argh
May 21, 2005 at 8:03 pm
Robbed HRs should be a stats. My guess is Tori Hunter and Jim Edmonds would league the majors.
May 21, 2005 at 8:03 pm
dang…but Ryno’s swing on that sure looked violently beautiful
May 21, 2005 at 8:04 pm
Yeah, could he be in center for the Padres?
May 21, 2005 at 8:04 pm
Both Giles and Klesko hit those balls hard. Meche hopefully won’t be long for this game.
May 21, 2005 at 8:04 pm
how did Giles hit that pitch that far? it was at his shoes!
May 21, 2005 at 8:05 pm
I love the violent Ryno HR swing, especially when it is accompanied by the classic disdainful bat flick.
May 21, 2005 at 8:05 pm
SEattle will never trade Ichiro…that would be like the Pads trading Gwynn. And I hope Meche stays in…we’re going to break through in the next couple innings if he’s still around
May 21, 2005 at 8:06 pm
Nevin is mastering that off-the-plate chopper.
May 21, 2005 at 8:06 pm
SEattle will never trade Ichiro…that would be like the Pads trading Gwynn. And I hope Meche stays in…we’re going to break through in the next couple innings if he’s still around
May 21, 2005 at 8:07 pm
After watching the replay, the catch wasn’t that great, even though it saved a dinger. Maybe its just because he’s so fast he gets to the wall with ease.
May 21, 2005 at 8:08 pm
Yeah, they won’t trade him. DAMN THEM!
May 21, 2005 at 8:09 pm
I think saving a run = great
May 21, 2005 at 8:10 pm
Oh, don’t get me wrong about the play…anytime you can save a run, that’s awesome, but I think that there are a lot of people that could have made the play just as easy.
May 21, 2005 at 8:11 pm
lol…I love DR’s facial expression after that liner that backed up on him. It was like “WTF is in these balls that are being hit here today?”
May 21, 2005 at 8:11 pm
Another easy inning for Lawrence. It looks like he has settle down.
May 21, 2005 at 8:11 pm
lol…I love DR’s facial expression after that liner that backed up on him. It was like “WTF is in these balls that are being hit here today?”
May 21, 2005 at 8:13 pm
Thru three innings, Lawrence has thrown 52 pitches. Meche, 73.
May 21, 2005 at 8:14 pm
There are a lot of double posts tonight. I think the comment numbers are going to be artificially enhanced.
May 21, 2005 at 8:16 pm
Articially enhanced?
Faux error comment submission messages = blog steroids
May 21, 2005 at 8:16 pm
Articially enhanced?
Faux error comment submission messages = blog steroids
May 21, 2005 at 8:18 pm
Seven Padres retired in order. Not taking many pitches either.
May 21, 2005 at 8:18 pm
Yeah, but Meche seems to be more around the plate right now
May 21, 2005 at 8:19 pm
Eric Owens. Jeez. He made Dave Roberts look like Willie Mays.
May 21, 2005 at 8:19 pm
I wonder if someone in the dugout changed the offensive game plan to be aggressive. Bochy does that sometimes.
May 21, 2005 at 8:19 pm
WOW! What a backhand by Burroughs.
May 21, 2005 at 8:20 pm
hoow…Burroughs has been making some nice plays of late.
May 21, 2005 at 8:20 pm
That was a nice dig by Blum on the throw by Burroughs. It almost makes up for his play in the first.
May 21, 2005 at 8:20 pm
Roberts and Burroughs have both made plays that Nady would not have.
May 21, 2005 at 8:23 pm
Well, we don’t see all the XBH Nady would have that Burroughs and Roberts do not.
May 21, 2005 at 8:24 pm
I dont know, Roberts has been having a few lately, including a couple 4-baggers.
May 21, 2005 at 8:25 pm
Poor AB for Blum…two of those swings were up in his eyes
May 21, 2005 at 8:26 pm
I’m a supporter of Roberts and Burroughs, relatively speaking…just playing devil’s advocate.
May 21, 2005 at 8:28 pm
I have to agree that Seattle’s announcers are horrible.
May 21, 2005 at 8:28 pm
Nice at bat by Roberts to get the “be patient” theme back in focus.
May 21, 2005 at 8:30 pm
WE sure are swinging at a lot of high pitches tonight. Luckily, we’re fouling off most of them.
May 21, 2005 at 8:30 pm
When that announcer was talking about that little girl’s ice cream, he sounded like a perv.
May 21, 2005 at 8:32 pm
He must be the proverbial dirty old man.
May 21, 2005 at 8:33 pm
Somebody back me up on that?
May 21, 2005 at 8:33 pm
they still haven’t figured out Meche’s curve today
May 21, 2005 at 8:34 pm
We are letting Meche off the hook, although he has started throwing his curve for strikes.
May 21, 2005 at 8:36 pm
maybe it’s a good thing the inning ended before Meche hit 100 pitches. If they bring him back out ther for the 6th, gives em a chance to get something going off a fatigued Meche rather than a fresh setup crew. M’s have a terrific bullpen.
May 21, 2005 at 8:37 pm
The new announcers are better. Even though I could stick my full hand between the gap in Hendu’s front teeth.
May 21, 2005 at 8:37 pm
We have two new announcers. Those other guys had to go to bed, I think.
May 21, 2005 at 8:38 pm
Nice movement on that K pitch for BLaw
May 21, 2005 at 8:39 pm
I didn’t even notice that we had new announces. Maybe they switched with the TV crew. Back in the day, the Padres tended to do that for a while if I recall.
May 21, 2005 at 8:40 pm
Ticket or Click-it! Idiots
May 21, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Make him pay, Burroughs.
May 21, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Here’s our chance. First and second and Burroughs up. One out. Here’s your chance to contribute Sean!
May 21, 2005 at 8:47 pm
Burroughs just can’t really get around on a fastball.
May 21, 2005 at 8:47 pm
THat hurt
May 21, 2005 at 8:47 pm
Terrible. Hits into a DP.
May 21, 2005 at 8:49 pm
wow that was disgusting. To get only 2 runs off this guy who didn’t have much. Let get away with shaky pitching for 6 innings. wow. All that patience and high pitch counts early didn’t gain much, ultimately.
May 21, 2005 at 8:50 pm
gonna have to comeback against another good bullpen.
May 21, 2005 at 8:50 pm
Hernandez is now hitting .303. His season projections are 19 homers, 79 RBIs, .338 on-base and .462 slugging. Hell of a player.
May 21, 2005 at 8:51 pm
Beltre crushed that one. That hurts.
May 21, 2005 at 8:52 pm
Looks like I better get going…not only are we getting killed now, but its midnight here. Have a good one all…thanks for letting me join.
May 21, 2005 at 8:52 pm
Wow these announcers are such homers compared to the geriatrics. All this screaming is going to give me a heart attack.
May 21, 2005 at 8:52 pm
Anything traveling that fast ought to have a stewardess on it.
May 21, 2005 at 8:53 pm
3 run deficit is a tall order. I agree with Eric. We blew our chances early.
May 21, 2005 at 8:56 pm
Maybe Lawrence is our stopper
May 21, 2005 at 8:56 pm
We can do it!
May 21, 2005 at 8:58 pm
Botched play by the ball girl.
May 21, 2005 at 9:02 pm
We need another clutch hit from Sweeney after that double from Roberts to get this game to a 2 run margin.