In-Game Discussion: Padres vs Braves (16 May 2005)
Mon, May 16, 2005
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Tim Stauffer (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs John Thomson (3-2, 3.55 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS | SI | Padres.com
After a weekend sweep of the Marlins, the Padres turn now to the Braves. Tim Stauffer makes his debut in front of the home crowd at Petco. The Pads have won 8 of their last 10, and 13 of their last 16. Following Sunday’s seventh inning outburst, the Friars are now outscoring the opposition 80-37 from the seventh on; they are hitting .281/.379/.437 during those innings, while holding the other guys to just .198/.278/.310. No team in the big leagues has scored more runs after the sixth inning this year than the Padres; no team has allowed fewer.
AB BA OBP SLG
Thomson vs current Padres 93 .301 .359 .570
Ryan Klesko (.348/.464/.652 in 23 AB) has seen Thomson the most, and has had the most success against him. Klesko has one of four homers surrendered by the Braves right-hander. Brian Giles, Ramon Hernandez, and Mark Sweeney also have taken Thomson deep.
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May 16, 2005 at 6:45 pm
BTW, I’m linking players to their ESPN page now rather than B-R.com. I think it makes more sense during the season to be able to check out their real-time stats. Does that work for everybody?
May 16, 2005 at 6:45 pm
Road losses play into the opposition having fewer runs from the seventh inning on.
May 16, 2005 at 6:46 pm
You should link to their DT Player Cards.
May 16, 2005 at 7:03 pm
Richard: Good suggestion. Unfortunately, right now I’m limited to B-R or ESPN (we have a macro).
May 16, 2005 at 7:07 pm
One pitch, one out. Horrible bunt.
May 16, 2005 at 7:11 pm
Fastball 91-94 mph. He’s left a few breaking balls up, but out of the zone.
May 16, 2005 at 7:18 pm
Well after looking pretty good to the first two batters, Timmy became pretty wild and look liked he was overthrowing.
May 16, 2005 at 7:21 pm
Second straight start Stauffer’s surrendered two first inning runs. Time for five shutout innings?
LaRoche got a two-out hit, but that was a nasty pitch from Stauffer - shattered the bat.
May 16, 2005 at 7:23 pm
He threw 30 pitches that inning? Sheesh.
May 16, 2005 at 7:27 pm
Those Jack-in-the-Box commercials in Spanish are surreal.
May 16, 2005 at 7:41 pm
Burroughs with his usual … “single to left” … now men on 1st & 2nd, 1 out … Greene batting … down 2-0 in bottom of 2nd …
May 16, 2005 at 7:43 pm
Geoff … yes ESPN is better than B-R for during the season … if you ever get able to other than ESPN, I sure like Yahoo’s “profile” … ex. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7233 … for me, the ESPN pages always take a LOOOONG time to load (ie. lots of graphics) …
May 16, 2005 at 7:44 pm
Time to help yourself, Tim! Bases loaded (after W to Khalil) … 1 out …
May 16, 2005 at 7:46 pm
K (for Stauffer) is better than GIDP
And he took at least 1 ball (”watching” via Yahoo) to help run Thompson’s pitch count 
May 16, 2005 at 7:47 pm
Dodgers get on the board … now down 3-1 thru 2 at Chavez Revine (sp?) …
May 16, 2005 at 7:49 pm
Full count to Roberts …
May 16, 2005 at 7:49 pm
Plate umpire has gotten into Thomson’s head.
May 16, 2005 at 7:49 pm
Thomson has thrown 31 pitches this inning.
May 16, 2005 at 7:50 pm
Run #1 in on bases loaded W … now up: Loretta!
May 16, 2005 at 7:52 pm
Have to see the replay, but I thought Roberts beat the flip to second.
Anyway, even though we only scored one run, Thomson had to throw 35 pitches. He’s up to 47 after two.
May 16, 2005 at 7:54 pm
Pitching stats thru 2 …
Pitches-strikes - J Thomson 47-28; T Stauffer 38-23.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Thomson 4-1; T Stauffer 3-2.
Batters faced - J Thomson 11; T Stauffer 11.
May 16, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Top of the 3rd …
- C. Jones struck out looking
- A. LaRoche doubled to left
- A. Jones singled to left center, A. LaRoche scored, A. Jones out at second
- J. Estrada popped out to catcher
Pitching stats updated …
Pitches-strikes - J Thomson 47-28; T Stauffer 55-35.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Thomson 4-1; T Stauffer 3-3.
Batters faced - J Thomson 11; T Stauffer 15.
May 16, 2005 at 8:03 pm
Fish put another run on the board … now up 4-1 on the Dogs … still up in top of the 4th …
May 16, 2005 at 8:39 pm
I think we disappeared there for a bit. Thomson has left the game with one out in the fifth. Something to do with his right middle finger.
May 16, 2005 at 8:42 pm
Yup, something seemed to burp for several minutes …
Stauffer’s numbers thru 5 …
Pitches-strikes - T Stauffer 82-52.
Ground balls-fly balls - T Stauffer 6-6.
Batters faced - T Stauffer 23.
May 16, 2005 at 8:44 pm
I posted this in another comment thread … if you’re into Padres’ farm clubs, check out this box score from Mobile … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....x_monaax_1 … lots of good things in there … best of all: Tagg is back! … and he’s BOMB’ing! 3 dongs! Yowza!
May 16, 2005 at 8:45 pm
Remember, there’s no Smoltz in their pen!
May 16, 2005 at 8:47 pm
Cool. Thanks for the info on Tagg.
Stauffer blows a fastball past Mondesi. Kid’s been up and down tonight, but I like what I’m seeing.
May 16, 2005 at 8:48 pm
Sweet top of the 6th for Stauffer …
- J. Estrada grounded out to pitcher
- R. Langerhans struck out looking
- R. Mondesi struck out swinging
- End of Inning (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
… I hope we can PH for him in the bottom of the 6th
(hint: he’s due up 6th)
Stats thru 6 …
Pitches-strikes - J Thomson 77-47; A Bernero 5-4; T Stauffer 91-60.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Thomson 7-3; A Bernero 1-0; T Stauffer 7-6.
Batters faced - J Thomson 20; A Bernero 1; T Stauffer 26.
What’s the deal with LaRoche? Looks like he’s got Stauffer’s number!
May 16, 2005 at 8:48 pm
Smoltz or not, now is the time to get the patented comeback going. Stauffer has kept them in the game after his early jitters. The offense needs to get in gear.
May 16, 2005 at 8:49 pm
Nice triple for Giles. Good start.
May 16, 2005 at 8:50 pm
Giles crushed that ball. Deepest right-center, stand-up triple.
May 16, 2005 at 8:50 pm
I’d like to see Nevin put it in the air somewhere beyond the infield.
May 16, 2005 at 8:51 pm
A base hit works
Are things warming up?
May 16, 2005 at 8:51 pm
LM: First at-bat, Stauffer broke LaRoche’s bat. The last two at-bats were real nice. Double down the left field line, double down the right field line. Seems like LaRoche has eliminated some of the loop from his swing this year.
May 16, 2005 at 8:57 pm
He has nothing to show for it tonight, but Khalil is really swinging the bat well. He’s hit two scorchers right at Chipper Jones.
May 16, 2005 at 9:00 pm
Gotta run … I’m hoping to get to a TV in time to see Trevor come in in the 9th
May 16, 2005 at 9:00 pm
Wow. Stauffer really has good stuff.
May 16, 2005 at 9:02 pm
If only Stauffer can cure his 1st inning “problem.” I am willing to attribute it to nerves, first start and then first home start against the Braves no less. He looks to be a keeper. 6 Ks in 7. Not bad.
May 16, 2005 at 9:21 pm
First and third to start the eighth. We have to score at least one here.
May 16, 2005 at 9:21 pm
Another nice start in the 8th. Nevin has looked much better his last two ABs.
May 16, 2005 at 9:23 pm
Tie game. No Smoltz in the pen. Let’s get some more.
May 16, 2005 at 9:23 pm
Tie game. Reitsma has been up this entire inning.
May 16, 2005 at 9:24 pm
Has Sean been putting extra time in with the bunting? That is the same bunt two days in a row, and this one was even better!
May 16, 2005 at 9:24 pm
Burroughs lays down another sacrifice, but it’s so good he gets a hit out of it. Beautiful.
Bases loaded, nobody out. Khalil up.
May 16, 2005 at 9:27 pm
Can Sweeney come through again?
May 16, 2005 at 9:28 pm
Yes. Sac Fly. And its going to be Trevor time…
May 16, 2005 at 9:28 pm
Sac fly. 4-3 Pads!
May 16, 2005 at 9:31 pm
Are we having fun yet?
May 16, 2005 at 9:31 pm
how bout another 3-run jack to cap the scoring?
May 16, 2005 at 9:32 pm
hah.
May 16, 2005 at 9:32 pm
i’d be content just to get one more.
May 16, 2005 at 9:33 pm
man, the Padres are making some very good staffs look shaky.
May 16, 2005 at 9:33 pm
Oh yeah. Keep the runs coming.
May 16, 2005 at 9:34 pm
it’s called discipline boys. Hard to learn but man can it pay off!
May 16, 2005 at 9:34 pm
What a terrific at-bat by Roberts. Down 0-2, works it full, drives in the run with a single.
May 16, 2005 at 9:34 pm
Now they have a lefty pitching to Loretta.
May 16, 2005 at 9:34 pm
you know, the Braves made good pitches to Sweeney and Roberts, too.
May 16, 2005 at 9:35 pm
DONG DONG
May 16, 2005 at 9:35 pm
inning over, but now we have a cushion against the solo shot.
May 16, 2005 at 9:35 pm
Well that was stupid. I know he’s supposed to steal bases but why take the bat out of Loretta’s hands?
Oh well, 2-run lead going to the ninth.
May 16, 2005 at 9:37 pm
oh, and the Fish have LA down 6-2 in the eighth…
May 16, 2005 at 9:38 pm
Hoffy should have no problems with these three. Knock on wood. One down as I type.
May 16, 2005 at 9:39 pm
Is Kevin around?
May 16, 2005 at 9:39 pm
Two down.
May 16, 2005 at 9:39 pm
I don’t see him. Well, that’s death & taxes.
May 16, 2005 at 9:40 pm
I think he left a while ago.
May 16, 2005 at 9:40 pm
Anybody still have the urge to chant “D.U.I.” at Mondesi?
May 16, 2005 at 9:42 pm
Ballgame. Another great comeback. I think they are finally comfortable at home. First place tie, at least for a day.
May 16, 2005 at 9:42 pm
lol
May 16, 2005 at 9:42 pm
Hoffman. Game over. Sweet.
May 16, 2005 at 9:44 pm
LA now has three outs to get four runs and bottom of the order coming up. that is promising…
May 16, 2005 at 9:47 pm
They just had Stauffer on the post-game interview. That is one poised kid.
May 16, 2005 at 9:52 pm
Geoff, Did he say anything of note?
May 16, 2005 at 9:53 pm
Linebrink and Hoffy both only threw 8 pitches … I’ll bet we need & use ‘em both again in this series
May 16, 2005 at 9:56 pm
Here’s a comment about the Padres from Ryno Sandberg’s column @ Yahoo that’s sure to get a rise out of Peter Friberg
They just swept the Marlins and they’ve won 13 of their last 16 games. It seems that things turned around shortly after the hiring of CEO Sandy Alderson, who’s been brought in to turn the Padres into a force in their new ballpark.
May 16, 2005 at 10:01 pm
That’s the kind of half-hearted analysis I expect from someone who can’t stay up past his bedtime to actually watch the Padres.
May 16, 2005 at 10:02 pm
Grant noted that Stauffer started busting out the changeup late in the game and asked him about that. Stauffer said he wasn’t the kind of pitcher who blew the ball past hitters and that he always tried to give guys a different look. I got the impression that he has a good idea of what he needs to do to be successful. He also gave big props to Ramon Hernandez for his game calling.
May 16, 2005 at 10:03 pm
Reflecting on Stauffer’s 1st 2 starts in MLB, I remember a friend of mine who felt that good pitchers do better in the big leagues because of better umps … in other words, the big league umps (relative to minor league umps) are more consistent & predictable … and a good pitcher can use that to his advantage. Tim did pretty good in the minors, but he’s doing ever better than I expected so far in the bigs!
May 16, 2005 at 10:06 pm
One other thing about Stauffer tonight that impressed me: He looks like a good athlete. He made a real nice play in the field - I think it was on the base hit by Mondesi in the fourth, came off the mound quick but couldn’t get him at first. And he even took some decent hacks up at the plate.
It’s only one game, but the first impression is a good one.
May 16, 2005 at 10:27 pm
Very nice analysis. Wish I could have contributed tonight. My girlfriend will agree to watch the games with me, but has some sort of issue with the laptop being part of the experience. Tomorrow night I’ll be at the game (section 105).
May 16, 2005 at 10:51 pm
Stauffer had a BABIP much closer to (but still below) league average tonight and was still successful. I’m not sure what that does for the rest of you, but I’m somewhat relieved in spite of the small sample size.
May 16, 2005 at 11:10 pm
Great game. Again, too much information, but the agreement between my girlfriend and I that I get to watch the games as long as I give her a back massage during the game, is working well. Since I started tracking, 8-8 or something.
Stauffer looked great, especially in the last few innings. Decent fastball with movement, curve and, from the posts above, a change.
Good discliplined comeback. A few gripes. Like Roberts hitting against a LHP (it worked though) and poor X stuck on the bench.
But they are playing tight baseball.
May 16, 2005 at 11:11 pm
I enjoyed reading the comments after the fact tonight. I was at work and will be for the next two nights also.
Death, taxes, Hoffman,
Kevin