first pitch: 1:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Tim Stauffer (1-0, 3.46 ERA) vs Aaron Sele (2-4, 5.62 ERA)
The Padres saw their latest winning streak end at eight, as Brian Lawrence‘s struggles away from Petco continued. The Friars had numerous chances to put the hurt on Seattle starter Gil Meche, who struggled with his command much of the night, but didn’t get it done.
The recent hot streak has masked the fact that San Diego is getting almost no production out of the corner infield spots. Neither Phil Nevin (.248/.281/.406) nor Sean Burroughs (.271/.342/.301) is contributing much at the plate. Nevin’s 38 strikeouts against 9 walks is particularly troubling, as are Burroughs’ two extra base hits in 133 at-bats (Robert Fick has as many XBH in just 11 AB).
Of the 180 players in the big leagues who currently qualify (3.1 PA per game team has played), only four – Victor Martinez, Aaron Boone, Jason Kendall, Cristian Guzman – have a lower slugging percentage than Burroughs. Of the bottom 15 qualifiers in slugging percentage, only Burroughs and Tony Womack (.281/.329/.320) aren’t dragged down by a sub-.240 batting average. With Dave Roberts now in the leadoff slot, it would be good to see Burroughs stop hitting like Womack and start driving the ball into the gaps every once in a while.
Pads look to win the series at Seattle Sunday afternoon. Stauffer makes his third big-league start, while Sele apparently is still kicking.
AB BA OBP SLG
Sele vs current Padres 107 .299 .347 .402
Most of the guys who have faced Sele much aren’t doing real well against him: Roberts (.250/.273/.250 in 20 AB), Fick (.235/.316/.235 in 17 AB), Ramon Hernandez (.118/.167/.118 in 17 AB), Brian Giles (.154/.154/.154 in 13 AB). The one exception is Damian Jackson (.500/.533/.917 in 12 AB), so today might be a good day to get him in the lineup, perhaps at second base. Ryan Klesko has the lone homer. Nevin also has had some success in limited opportunities. Right-handers are hitting .373/.462/.507 against Sele this year. As is often the case, a patient approach would appear to be in order.
We’re not even up at the moment but I’ve been sitting on a comment for awhile now… Is it just me, or does Dave Roberts the inside-pitch equivelent of Derek Jeter or what?
*Derek Jeter nearly always FALLS across the plate on an outside pitch as if to say, I wanted to swing at that pitch, but it was SO far outside… – And the umps give him the call.
Roberts, on the other hand, will jump upright on pitches on the inside corner (not up and in – on the corner).
UGH! – Com’on Timmy! Though so far I’m more dissapointed with the hitters than Stauffer’s performance – though he does need to throw strikes.
Mariners chase Stauffer with two out in the sixth. Two runners still on at first and second. Stauffer was alright today, but his teammates gave him no offense obviously.
Stauffer was behind on a lot of batters today, too many.
Home plate ump now looks like he wants to go get an early dinner, expanding the strike zone for Sele.
Another easy inning for Sele. This is pathetic.
6 of Seattle’s 9 hits now for extra bases. 5-0 Mariners.
I said it before, and I will say it again: pathetic. 8 shutout innings for Sele who has retired 10 in a row. I have had enough, time to go run some errands. Later.
I’m in an AL-only roto-keeper league and have Reed on my team. It’s a rebuilding league for me so I could somewhat care less about his performance. But would he just stop this against us!