first pitch: 7:10 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Tim Stauffer (1-3, 4.44 ERA) vs D.J. Houlton (3-1, 5.72 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS | Padres.com
The much anticipated Stauffer/Houlton rematch takes place tonight in the hills of Los Angeles. Thanks to a lack of timely hitting and a surprisingly poor performance by the bullpen, the Padres dropped round one of what is bound to become one of the great pitching matchups of our time. Or not.
These two pitchers haven’t even worked a total of 100 combined big-league innings, so individual matchups are pretty pointless. Let’s see; what else can we talk about. How about the Pads’ late-inning dominance: is it still there?
Here’s where we were through May 15:
G R R/G BA OBP SLG
Pads 38 80 2.1 .281 .379 .437
Opp 38 37 1.0 .198 .278 .310
And now, through June 26:
G R R/G BA OBP SLG
Pads 76 134 1.8 .270 .361 .415
Opp 76 92 1.2 .241 .303 .373
Yeah, you couldn’t really expect to mantain that. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
Other Stuff
- Top 5 Pet Peeves About Sports Today (featuring, among others, Channel 4 broadcaster Matt Vasgersian; thanks to Eric Mirlis for the heads-up)
- Stats vs. Scouts: Do We Need to Choose Just One? (Baseball Digest Daily). This one spawned an interesting discussion at BTF. And even the U-T has an article on the need to balance the objective and the subjective. Synergy. It’s not just a word I don’t really understand.
- Padres play it safe, place Nevin on the disabled list (NC Times). Quoth Ben Johnson: “It took me a long time to get here, but I’m not surprised by that. I really didn’t know the game, and I wasn’t very good or consistent. I had to mature and trust my ability.” Also, Eric Young has started a rehab assignment at Portland.
- Nady views himself as everyday ballplayer (U-T). We’re with you on that one, X. Quoth Robert Fick, no slouch himself: “There are not many players in the major leagues whose position is first base/third base/center field and not be out of position in any of the three.”
- Reese having one heck of a weekend (MLB.com). Yankees have recalled USD alum Kevin Reese. He started in left field Sunday night against the Mets and went 0-for-1 with a walk. Reese joins Milwaukee’s Brady Clark as the only current big leaguers from USD. We’re mostly about the Padres around here, but gotta give some love to the alma mater. Toreros represent!
- Boone or Moyer could be Padre-bound (U.S.S. Mariner). It’s that time of year: we’ve got rumors. Make of them what you will.
- M’s blog Lookout Landing’s take on the finale between the bitter I-5 rivals. I can so get behind Jeff’s sentiments on Lee Ann Rimes. Or that other guy, Lee Greenwood. Really old patriotic songs aren’t subject to interpretation, dig? While I’m at it, I don’t ever need to hear another R&B version of “The Star Spangled Banner.” I’ll be honest: from a purely musical standpoint, our national anthem ain’t that great; but let’s not make it worse, m’kay? Just deliver the song and get on with life. Anyway, Jeff also likes Damian Jackson.
And there you have it. Go Pads!
Marvin Gaye’s rendition at the ’84 NBA All Star game was positively stunning.
Other than that, I find the song uninspiring.
I agree, Lance. Hendrix’s version of the anthem at Woodstock was good. But Whitney Hoston’s version was overrated. Stop the insanity!
I thought I would post what ESPN’s Rumor Central says about Boone to the Padres since some people may not have the Insider feature. (If Jackson would be going, as some rumors suggest, that would be too bad in a way, just because he has been so great lately, but that’s business, I guess).
Both the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer are reporting that the Mariners could be close to dealing Boone to the Padres. They have been in need of a second baseman without Mark Loretta, who isn’t expected back until mid-August. Boone, who is in the final year of his contract, grew up in the San Diego area and played for the Padres in 2000 before coming to Seattle.
The Times reported that Seattle GM Bill Bavasi and San Diego GM Kevin Towers spoke for a considerable amount of time over the weekend, most likely regarding Boone. One Seattle source told the P-I a deal could happen before Tuesday’s series opener in Oakland, although another Seattle official said the two sides weren’t close to a deal.
Damian working the count…
What the hells’ gotten into this guy?!?!
Double for Jackson! The little guy’s out of his mind!
Leitner and Coleman are saying he was robbed of a homer.
Damian, this one’s for you, in the name of justice:
DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!
It’s been called a homer!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!DONG!!!
DJ just hit another leadoff homerun. blown call by the ump.
oh. I’m late.
Leadoff homers in back-to-back games….
Who needs to trade for Brett Boone?!?!
Very nice… How about that clown trying to put on his jacket so he wouldn’t be recognized…
We got a new power hitter! Hey DJ!!!!
I was just about to get indignant, but the umpires got the call right. Nice job.
The ushers kinda helped us out there. What, are the umps supposed to NOT notice that the dude is getting kicked out? Guarentee you they noticed, I’ve overheard those conversations…
DJ must have sold his soul to the devil.
Yet another fan who had too much to drink. Damn, I hate people like that!!!!
Interesting point, Rich, about the ushers.
Also, to give credit where due, here are the umpires for tonight’s game: Home – Mike Everitt; First Base – Tim Mcclelland; Second Base – Adam Dowdy; Third Base – Chuck Meriwether
Damian Jackson:
GREATEST HITTER WHO EVER LIVED.
Damian Jackson:
DEFENSIVE WIZARD.
Dj always had some pop even when he was a prospect. Hits a lot of balls in the air.
Can Stauffer get out of the first intact, for a change?
Anyone know Greene’s range factor? I dont think its very good, but maybe I’m fooled.
Richard? If you’re there, pony up with the range factor, would ya?
No first inning troubles for Stauffer today.
And Stauffer escapes intact…
some nice pitches to that big freak Worth..
Does a two-baserunner inning constitute “trouble?”
Maybe. But he usually settles down.
Khalil’s RF is 3.92 this year. That’s down from 4.21 in 2004.
Greene’s range isn’t really all that great. What he is; very smart. He plays the hitter and the pitch, then goes all out. Makes his range look better. But he ain’t bad, just average range. Obviously he is an above average fielder overall.
Richard? Wherefore art thou Richard?
Must be with his girlfriend. Dude wouldn’t shut up about her Friday night. She must be smokin’ hot.
Playing the hitter and the pitch are prime components of what we call “range,” Rich.
…but I agree with your assessment.
Thanks, I dont like the way we are swining the bats tonight
oh my!!!!
Wow Nady is on fire
wow power
Another X home run. This is becoming very cliche.
another home run for X..boring..same old thing.
Man there is no question when he hits it. Good luck Bruce, cant not start this guy
Very nice… 3-0
This is the fourth straight game we’ve had a 3-0 lead.
Only four more games to go to tie Dale Long, Griffey Jr., and Mattingly with homers in eight straight. Think Nady can do it?
Tim Stauffer: GREATEST HITTER WHO EVER LIVED!
I don’t like the way we’re swinging the bats either,
…and now Stauffer is into the act! Gotta like that.
Lance, you caught my drift.I should have said “speed” or something, but you read it right…
I knew wht you meant, Rich. Well assessed, except “range” is kinda complicated.
We can all agree that the man at the plate, DJ, has exceptional range, and at multiple positions.
DJ cannot be stopped. He’s a machine, I tell you.
DJ is starting to look like Tony Gwynn
The guys are right about that pitch to X. That’s like the blonde walking up to you at the bar and asking if you have bacon and eggs in your fridge….and look at DJ! I think someone does not want to go to Seattle!
Let’s get into that bullpen early, make life real difficult for the rest of the series.
DJ is 6-for-6 with 3 HRs in his last 2 games.
Coleman is saying about Nady playing third base, “eventually, I think he could do the job there.”
Tony Gwynn could be stopped. DJ can not.