In-Game Discussion: Padres vs Brewers (30 May 2005)
Mon, May 30, 2005
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Darrell May (0-0, 5.53 ERA) vs Victor Santos (2-4, 3.02 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS | SI | Padres.com
The Pads completed the sweep of the Giants in San Francisco Sunday afternoon and have now won 20 of their last 25 games. Only St. Louis has put more runs on the board in the NL this year than the Friars. With the Dodgers beating Arizona, the Padres are now up by 2 1/2 games in the NL West.
Phil Nevin still hasn’t gotten it going (would you believe that he and Damian Jackson have the same number of walks?). On the positive side, Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko are back to their old tricks, and Dave Roberts is having a career year (he already has 16 extra base hits; his single-season high is 25). Jake Peavy is his dominant self, and yesterday’s starter, Adam Eaton, appears to have stepped his game up a level. The bench and bullpen are improved over last season, and the club is looking like a serious threat.
The Padres return to Petco tonight to start their longest homestand of the year against Milwaukee. The Pads have the best home record in baseball, but will be put to the test Monday behind nominal fifth starter May.
AB BA OBP SLG
May vs current Brewers 48 .271 .304 .604
Santos vs current Padres 35 .286 .419 .429
Small sample, but a .331 ISO? Yikes. Of the 13 hits May has allowed to these guys, 9 are for extra bases. Carlos Lee (.250/.318/.650 in 20 AB) has faced May most often. Presumably former Padre Jeff Cirillo (.091/.231/.091 in 11 AB) won’t get the start tonight. Cirillo, who is still on the Pads’ payroll this year, is hitting .277/.376/.406 for Milwaukee. One of the Brewers’ most productive hitters so far has been USD alum (go Toreros!) Brady Clark, who is batting .335/.396/.478 and who leads the league in runs scored with 39.
For the Friars, not too many have faced Santos, with Nevin having the lone homer. Opponents are hitting .257/.381/.514 against Santos in the first inning this year.
X Factor
Xavier Nady got a great view of a great game Sunday afternoon but did not participate in the contest.
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.
May 30, 2005 at 12:02 pm
A nice series up here in SF. I believe I read that was the first sweep of the Giants by the Pads in SBC Park. I am a little nervous; that last time I felt this optimistic about my team was after the first game of the Seattle series. I started to shift from solid team + lots of luck to good team. I am starting to feel that shift again, so knocking on wood to avoid a let down.
I have been to exactly one game at Petco in my life: it was last year in June against the Brew Crew, first game of the series. Tankersly pitched well but lost, as the Padres could not get anything going offensively.
Speaking of Tankersly, he seems to be struggling in Royals AAA. Given how horrid that team is playing, he must be pretty bad not to get a spot start.
I like to glance around to track cast-off Padres. Obviously the Bay/Perez trade is one, but also well-commented upon.
Random update:
Jarvis: just sent down to AAA by St. Louis
Wiki: actually made it back up to the Seattle big club, but got injured
Davis: is in AAA for Chicago, with a whopping OPS of .590
Witasik: I thought he pitched decently last year (loved to give up the bombs, though); he is pitching pretty well for the Rockies.
Except when trading for specific value, Towers doesn’t give up much. The true major talents we have let go, Derrek Lee and Matt Clement, Bay, Perez, were well understood in their value and what we received back was always very solid (Kevin Brown, Mark Kotsay, Giles).
I can gripe like the best, but I remain thankful we have a GM who is one of the better ones. Imagine being a small-revenue team AND bad management. Yikes.
May 30, 2005 at 1:12 pm
Jay, thanks again for posting the pitcher-batter matchups the other day. I hope you don’t mind that I used them; I’d gotten back from Vegas just minutes before first pitch and didn’t have time to do that myself.
As for Tankersley, it looks like he’s not even in the Omaha rotation anymore. His season stats:
11 G, 8 GS, 36.2 IP, 49 H, 4 HR, 21 BB, 35 SO, 6.14 ERA, .314 BAA
As for your larger point, I think we all have particular moves/non-moves that we take issue with, but by and large Towers has done a real good job with the resources he has, especially compared to a lot of other teams.
May 30, 2005 at 3:00 pm
This was in response to my BtB post on NL West Pitching:
“Jake Peavy is having a monster season, and he’s all over places like SportsCenter and FSN.
Peavy 5 Wins 1 CG/SHO 2.00 ERA .88 WHIP 9.13 K/9 is just gross, and people know the numbers because of what I meantioned above. So they associate Peavy with the Padres rotation, and associate the Padres rotation with Peavy’s excellent start.
Moreover, Peavy (and Adam Eaton for that matter) are a feel good story. They’re fun to root for because they aren’t the same old song and dance. People like Vazquez, Ortiz, and Brandon Webb are not popular names or likable personalities. When you think Dbacks rotation, you still think Schilling/Johnson, or at least I do. With them gone, most people assume it’s an empty void, and when you’re talking about the shoes of Johnson and Schill, I understand why they feel the way they do.
I like your conclusions, but I think I understand why the people on sportsnation voted the way they did. ESPN is very East Coast Bias (being in Bristol and all), and when we hear about the West, we hear about people like Peavy, not Brandon Webb.
That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.”
May 30, 2005 at 3:06 pm
I was just reading athleticsnation.com and it made me appreciate the Padres’ run this month even more. For each one game the A’s won this month, the Padres have won four.
May 30, 2005 at 3:11 pm
Congrats on the gig, Richard, and nice analysis! For those keeping score at home, here’s the
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.c.....163215/590
The bullpen has been absolutely sick this year (and cheap).
As for Peavy, what’s frightening is that he has taken another step up from what he was doing this time last year. We’ll look at that more before Jake makes his next start Tuesday night.
May 30, 2005 at 3:48 pm
If you haven’t seen my DR analysis, you must. He’s a winning machine.
http://sdpf.blogspot.com/2005/.....score.html
May 30, 2005 at 4:21 pm
Geoff,
My posting numbers against pitchers was just trying to fill your void left with your trip to Vegas. Glad to see them re-posted.
I get the ESPN magazine (as the result of one of those “free offers” that preys on dolts like myself unable to remember to cancel them); I did not like the writing. Trying to build up this “Peavy old school beyond his years” theme; which may be true, but still found annoying. But he does seem like a very humble guy. It was interesting to see the praise he received for ditching Boras to sign with the Padres. As a Padres fan, I am deeply indebted that he is locked up a Padre for a few more years. But, if I were someone close to him, he may have left 10 million on the table. Good for us, but hard to pass up on that kind of money. We need a real revenue sharing deal that flows money through to payroll (avoid the Minnesota owner types that pocket the revenue cash) to get better equity. I praise Peavy staying put, but if I was his financial advisor, I would say, hold out.
May 30, 2005 at 7:15 pm
This is my first time watching May pitch. One of his fastballs was 88mph according to the FSN gun…I remember there were concerns in spring about his velocity which was chillin at 81-83. He got two swinging K’s on some 80mph off-speed pitch…a splitter or a cutter? was hard to tell what it was; I’m not familiar with his repertoire. Splitters and cutters from lefthanders look the same to me.
May 30, 2005 at 7:20 pm
Brewers announcers say the Klesko loves the way Bochy often takes him out in the 7th inning.
May 30, 2005 at 7:20 pm
The way Blum and DJ are playing, I hope Burroughs never comes back and gets traded. He’s just not the answer.
May 30, 2005 at 7:24 pm
It’s also worth noting that another ex-Padre, for whom we got nothing, has turned out to be pretty good: Rodrigo Lopez. Two seasons of 14 or more wins, over 170 IP, ERAs under 3.60 for some pretty mediocre Baltimore teams. 8 IP tonight in Boston, 1R, 6H, 5K, 2BB, 124 pitches. He’s now 4-2. He was young, cheap and full of potential that is now blossoming for another organization.
To be fair, did I think he was going to be this good? No. But why did we give up on him? To make room for Todd Erdos? To give more starts to Brian Meadows?
May 30, 2005 at 7:33 pm
Hi all. I went out to the Surf Dawgs game this afternoon and got to see Rickey. Here are some pix:
http://www.all-baseball.com/du.....18932.html
May 30, 2005 at 7:36 pm
That was an adventurous inning, but we got out of it without any damage. May is hitting 88 mph? Interesting, he’s usually been in the 83-86 range. He did make some nice pitches in the first.
May 30, 2005 at 7:39 pm
Giles is so damn patient…I love it. .420 OBP
May 30, 2005 at 7:41 pm
Santos is up to 31 pitches.
May 30, 2005 at 7:42 pm
Lee was sooo lucky on that…next time he should open his eyes. Nevin might have even been able to make it to 3rd if it gets by.
May 30, 2005 at 7:47 pm
The Pads definitely make starters throw some pitches. Schmidt threw 40 + after 2 innings yesterday, if I do recall, and was up to 100 in the 5th.
May 30, 2005 at 7:48 pm
Jenkins is a no account thief.
May 30, 2005 at 7:48 pm
Khalil was robbed. Great at-bat, but better play by Jenkins.
May 30, 2005 at 7:50 pm
DJ!
May 30, 2005 at 7:51 pm
Nice grabs by DJ…nice off-balance throw, too.
May 30, 2005 at 7:54 pm
I don’t want to jinx the guy, but May isn’t looking to shabby out there tonight.
May 30, 2005 at 7:59 pm
Me and my big mouth.
May 30, 2005 at 7:59 pm
He hasn’t been hit particularly hard…
May 30, 2005 at 8:07 pm
Santos is up to 52 pitches. Then again, May has used 63 through three innings.
May 30, 2005 at 8:11 pm
Here’s a chance for Ryno…
May 30, 2005 at 8:12 pm
What’s the Milwaukee bullpen like? I get the feeling we’ll be seeing them.
May 30, 2005 at 8:16 pm
What happened to Roberts? He must have completely mis-read that. Darrell May can’t afford to lose outs that turn into triples.
May 30, 2005 at 8:17 pm
I believe that was the definition of “failure to execute.”
May 30, 2005 at 8:17 pm
Roberts was totally lost on that one. Thank goodness they missed on the squeeze play. What a break.
May 30, 2005 at 8:17 pm
Way to go, Darrell.
May 30, 2005 at 8:18 pm
I’m going to go find something to eat. I’ll be back a bit.
May 30, 2005 at 8:20 pm
way to go, Darrell? He was bailed out that inning by the thick air and the pathetic squeeze attempt. He’s lucky he’s not losing 4-0
May 30, 2005 at 8:20 pm
IMO
May 30, 2005 at 8:21 pm
not that I’m complaining =P
May 30, 2005 at 8:27 pm
Sarcasm doesn’t come across that well on the internet.
May 30, 2005 at 8:27 pm
Nice base running by Phil this inning and I’m not being sarcastic.
May 30, 2005 at 8:30 pm
sorry
May 30, 2005 at 8:31 pm
Darrell May fans: Beware the third time through the lineup.
May 30, 2005 at 8:31 pm
No worries, Eric. I just took a moment away from the game and, well have any of you ever gone to help someone lift something only to find they weren’t ready to lift it? Bad stuff.
May 30, 2005 at 8:32 pm
Blummer with a nice play coming in and to his left.
May 30, 2005 at 8:35 pm
He didn’t do anything special this inning, but DJ has been just great at second base.
May 30, 2005 at 8:36 pm
possible downside to this solid-looking outing by May–could earn him a permanent spot in the rotation?
May 30, 2005 at 8:37 pm
I wouldn’t worry about that, Eric. He may have earned himself a trusted spot in the ‘pen, though.
May 30, 2005 at 8:38 pm
May is out. Perhaps Bochy isn’t fooled. He seemed eager to pull May the last time he went 5ip/1r as well.
May 30, 2005 at 8:38 pm
Sweeney has had himself a pretty nice little AB, here.
May 30, 2005 at 8:39 pm
May also could be increasing his trade value?
May 30, 2005 at 8:39 pm
“phew! we’re lucky we’re still in the game after 5. Now get him outta there.”
May 30, 2005 at 8:40 pm
Roberts is a heck of a bunter.
May 30, 2005 at 8:40 pm
That was a terrific at-bat by Sweeney. Santos is up to 88 pitches. Just did get Roberts. Damn.
May 30, 2005 at 8:40 pm
Santos should hit 100 pitches this inning.
May 30, 2005 at 8:41 pm
Brewers feed just ran a sound bite from Roberts. Nice quote about the park and how the team had to adjust to it: “It is what it is.”
May 30, 2005 at 8:41 pm
Brewers pen: 3.06 ERA, best in baseball, I believe. Let’s score now!
May 30, 2005 at 8:41 pm
Score that one “clank-clank.”
May 30, 2005 at 8:41 pm
91 pitches, one away in the bottom of the 5th, men on the corners and here comes the heart of the lineup. There should be two errors on that play, btw.
May 30, 2005 at 8:42 pm
Santos doesn’t seem like a good athlete. That play and his bunt attempt looked little-leaguean
May 30, 2005 at 8:43 pm
And 94 pitches in, the Padres get on the board.
May 30, 2005 at 8:43 pm
They also said before the game in the Padres clubhouse, clips of Santos were playing, so players could watch it. And Sweeney was watching Santos and a couple relievers on his DVD player. That’s the Tony Gwynn legacy.
May 30, 2005 at 8:43 pm
Overbay has let us tie this game.
May 30, 2005 at 8:44 pm
Giles flies out on the first pitch? Ack. Oh well, at least we got a run.
May 30, 2005 at 8:44 pm
Ryno and Giles both swung at the first pitch.
May 30, 2005 at 8:45 pm
Yesterday it was Durham. Today, it’s Overbay. Certainly part of the Padres winning ways have been their 10 consecutive games without an error.
May 30, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Nevin’s BA is now .001 higher than Klesko’s.
May 30, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Nice call by Boch putting Aki in for the sixth.
May 30, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Aki starts the sixth. Anybody know the last time he worked this early in a game? Hopefully he can work out the kinks here.
May 30, 2005 at 8:47 pm
close eye on Aki, now
May 30, 2005 at 8:48 pm
If you take Arizona out of the mix, Aki hasn’t really had any trouble.
May 30, 2005 at 8:48 pm
Slider is biting. Tony Gwynn wonders where the 1-1 pitch was; so do I.
May 30, 2005 at 8:48 pm
close eye on Aki, now
May 30, 2005 at 8:49 pm
Go Cubs!
May 30, 2005 at 8:49 pm
Cubs beat the Dodgers today. That helps. I’m still more concerned with LA than with Arizona.
May 30, 2005 at 8:50 pm
some Overbay heckler out there is loud enough to hear, and pretty funny. “Maybe you’re actually left-handed!” “Brewers 1, Overbay 1!”
May 30, 2005 at 8:50 pm
Pitching in PetCo should do wonders for Aki’s confidence.
May 30, 2005 at 8:51 pm
That was crap.
May 30, 2005 at 8:52 pm
LA is better than Arizona.
May 30, 2005 at 8:52 pm
Aki still not really locating
May 30, 2005 at 8:52 pm
Aki still not really locating
May 30, 2005 at 8:53 pm
Good call, Richard:
Aki @ home: .233/.298/.372, 2.31 ERA
Aki on road: .359/.468/.487, 7.27 ERA
Nice slider to finish off Hall.
May 30, 2005 at 8:53 pm
That last slider was nasty.
May 30, 2005 at 8:54 pm
Do you have the numbers vs. Arizona, then vs. everyone else?
May 30, 2005 at 8:55 pm
One thing they’ve been talking about with Aki is that when he has a bad outing, he tends to tinker with his approach, maybe more than he should.
May 30, 2005 at 8:57 pm
In that awful outing vs. Arizona, I forget which one from last week, it didn’t look like he had his full hesitation move. Don’t know if that was because men were on base or not.
May 30, 2005 at 8:58 pm
Jenkins is killing us.
May 30, 2005 at 8:58 pm
I’m beginning to hate Jenkins.
May 30, 2005 at 8:58 pm
I really hate him!
May 30, 2005 at 8:59 pm
Again.
May 30, 2005 at 8:59 pm
Jenkins is killing us with the glove.
May 30, 2005 at 9:00 pm
Aki vs Ari: 2.2 IP, 20.25 ERA
Aki vs others: 18.2 IP, 1.93 ERA
May 30, 2005 at 9:00 pm
vs. Arizona:
0-2
2.2 IP
7 H
6 R
2 BB
1 SO
vs. Everybody Else:
1-1
17.2 IP
17 H
4 R
9 BB
17 SO
May 30, 2005 at 9:01 pm
score: Jenkins 1, Overbay 1
May 30, 2005 at 9:01 pm
Should have known you’d get to it first, Geoff.
May 30, 2005 at 9:01 pm
I like Khalil’s solution: Don’t hit it to Jenkins.
May 30, 2005 at 9:01 pm
Aki’s numbers (other than ERA) aren’t so hot against everybody else either
May 30, 2005 at 9:02 pm
LOL, Eric.
Also, to clarify the difference between my numbers for Aki and Richard’s, mine include tonight’s scoreless inning.
May 30, 2005 at 9:02 pm
Thanks for the stats, guys. How come Jenkins didn’t get to that?
May 30, 2005 at 9:04 pm
playing a team with a good bullpen for once, means we need to score now against this tired starter before the pen comes in.
May 30, 2005 at 9:05 pm
Not a good at-bat from DJ. A run would’ve been nice.
May 30, 2005 at 9:06 pm
Game strategy: hit it to the right side, making sure it travels no more than 100 feet.
May 30, 2005 at 9:07 pm
Milwaukee’s Relievers:
46 G
136.2 IP
7-5
1.24 WHIP
1.97 K/BB
7.90 K/9
.215 BAA
.665 OPS
3.03 ERA