In-Game Discussion: Padres @ Tigers (15 Jun 2005)
Wed, Jun 15, 2005
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 4:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Adam Eaton (9-1, 3.18 ERA) vs Mike Maroth (4-7, 4.54 ERA)
previews: CBS | Padres.com
Jake Peavy got part of the way out of his mini-funk Tuesday night but his defense let him down and the Padres’ June swoon continues, as the club is now 3-9 during the month. Fortunately, the only starter to record a win for the Friars in June goes Wednesday. Eaton has become the Pads’ stopper this year and the club will be counting on him to turn things around against the Tigers tonight. Of course, the club had better do its part to help him do just that. Note that in this context, shoddy fielding and poor clutch hitting do not constitute help.
The Padres have been outscored, 58-30, so far in June. Ryan Klesko (.303/.395/.424) is the only regular with an OPS over 800 during the month. Amusingly, Eaton has the highest OPS (1600), albeit in just 5 at-bats. Guys who are struggling at the plate include Geoff Blum (.231/.268/.256), Khalil Greene (.222/.222/.267), Dave Roberts (.200/.273/.200), and Damian Jackson (.174/.167/.174). As a whole, the team is hitting just .231/.283/.325 in June and scoring 2.5 runs per contest.
For the Tigers, Maroth is most famous for losing 21 games in 2003, but as are most 20-game losers, he’s a pretty decent pitcher. He’s around the plate, gets hit some, and doesn’t strike out a lot of guys. Basically a left-handed Brian Lawrence. He also has a severe home/road split this year:
AB BA OBP SLG ERA
Home 167 .335 .374 .497 6.20
Road 142 .225 .286 .401 2.79
Then again, last year Maroth’s ERA at home was over two runs lower than on the road, so this probably speaks more to the volatility of small sample sizes than to any actual tendency.
The one other thing I noticed about Maroth is that he is not one of those pitchers that gets tougher as the game progresses. He’s a guy you can get to the second or third time through the lineup:
Inn AB BA OBP SLG 1-3 141 .220 .277 .284 4-6 140 .343 .383 .607 7-9 28 .321 .333 .536
Breaking it down even further (and I’m taking some educated guesses on the plate appearances here because the exact numbers are not available; these should be very close):
#Pit AB BA OBP SLG 1-60 185 .249 .299 .308 61+ 124 .339 .378 .669
Of the 11 home runs Maroth has surrendered this season, 10 have come after the 60th pitch. The numbers from 2004 aren’t quite as extreme, but he was tougher to hit early than late last year as well.
Here’s hoping the Padre bats wake up tonight and do some damage. As I’ve said before, runs would be nice.
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.
June 15, 2005 at 11:58 am
Hitters need to return a diciplined approach at the plate, working the count, forcing the pitcher to either throw strikes or walk tha batter. Especailly in the first innings when every pitch thrown by the opposing pitcher get the team closer to breaking the pitcher down.
Hey Duck, don’t forget the underground city in Toronto, accessible from almost any building through the basement. Its mostly shops, but its size is truly amzing. Goes everywhere. Guess Torontorians use it when it gets really cold on top.
June 15, 2005 at 3:30 pm
The lineup:
CF Dave Roberts
SS Khalil Greene
DH Ryan Klesko
1B Phil Nevin
RF Brian Giles
C Ramon Hernandez
LF Xavier Nady
3B Geoff Blum
2B Damian Jackson
June 15, 2005 at 3:37 pm
Forced to use those same nine players, I believe the lineup should like like this:
CF Dave Roberts
RF Brian Giles
DH Ryan Klesko
LF Xavier Nady
3B Geoff Blum
C Ramon Hernandez
1B Phil Nevin
SS Khalil Greene
2B Damian Jackson
Basically, I think Nevin and Greene are in line to get too many PA’s and Nady and Blum too few.
June 15, 2005 at 4:07 pm
Roberts leads off with a single to center. That’s an improvement. Roberts will score on a Khalil Greene double!
June 15, 2005 at 4:08 pm
Greene appears to have already justified Bochy’s faith in him. If Nevin can do the same, I’ll be happy.
June 15, 2005 at 4:10 pm
Klesko couldn’t manage to get the ball in play. Nevin has to get Greene in, now.
June 15, 2005 at 4:12 pm
Klesko and Nevin have both struck out with a runner on second and no outs. It’s on Giles, which is fine because he’s the club’s best hitter by quite a bit.
June 15, 2005 at 4:12 pm
Giles strands Greene, too. Damnit.
June 15, 2005 at 4:13 pm
Let’s hope Eaton has his best stuff today. God only knows if we’ll score another run the way things have gone recently.
June 15, 2005 at 4:14 pm
Something for Geoff, posted st my friend Buddy Blue’s website:
CUB KODA’S 36 NEW RULES FOR BANDS IN THE 21st CENTURY:
1 - Never start a trio with a married couple.
2 - Your manager’s not helping you. Fire him/her.
3 - Before you sign a record deal, look up the word “recoupable” in the dictionary.
4 - No one cares who you’ve opened for.
5 - A string section does not make your songs sound any more “important”.
6 - If your band has gone through more than 4 bass players, it’s time to break up.
7 - When you talk on stage you are never funny.
8 - If you sound like another band, don’t act like you’re unfamiliar with their music. (”Oh does Rage Against The Machine also do rap-rock with political lyrics?”)
9 - Asking a crowd ‘how they’re doing’ is just amplified small talk. Don’t do it.
10 - Don’t say your video’s being played if it’s only on the Austin Music Network.
11 - When you sign to a major label, claim to have inked the best contract ever. Mention “artistic freedom” and “a guaranteed 3 record deal”.
12 - When you get dropped insist that it was the worst contract ever and you asked to be let go.
13 - Never name a song after your band.
14 - Never name your band after a song.
15 - When a drummer brings in his own songs and asks to perform one of them, begin looking for a new drummer IMMEDIATELY.
16 - Never enter a “battle of the bands” contest. If you do you’re already a loser.
17 - Learn to recognize scary word pairings: “rock opera”, “white rapper”, “blues jam”, “swing band”, “open mike”, etc.
18 - Drummers can take off their shirts or they can wear gloves, but not both.
19 - Listen, either break it to your parents or we will; it’s rock ‘n’ roll, not a soccer game. They’ve gotta stop coming to your shows.
20 - It’s not a “showcase.” It’s a gig that doesn’t pay.
21 - No one cares that you have a web site.
22 - Getting a tattoo is like sewing platform shoes to your feet.
23 - Don’t hire a publicist.
24 - Playing in San Marcos & Alpine doesn’t mean you’re on tour.
25 - Don’t join a cover band that plays Bush songs. In fact, don’t join a cover band.
26 - Although they come in different styles and colors, electric guitars all sound the same. Why do you keep changing them between songs?
27 - Don’t stop your set to ask that beers be brought up. That’s what girlfriends/boyfriends are for.
28 - If you use a smoke machine your music sucks.
29 - We can tell the difference between a professionally produced album cover and one you made with the iMac your mom got for Christmas.
30 - Remember, if blues solos are so difficult, why can so many 16 year olds play them?
31 - If you ever take a publicity photo, destroy it. You may never know where or when it will turn up.
32 - Cut your hair, but do not shave your head.
33 - Pierce your nose, but not your eyebrow.
34 - Do not wear shorts onstage. Or a suit. Or a hat.
35 - Rock oxymorons; “major label interest”, “demo deal”,” blues genius”, “$500 guarantee”, and “Fastball’s second hit”.
36 - 3 things that are never coming back: a) gongs, b) headbands, and c) playing slide guitar with a beer bottle.
June 15, 2005 at 4:15 pm
Posted AT Buddy’s site…
June 15, 2005 at 4:15 pm
Just tuning in to the ballgame. What’d I miss???
June 15, 2005 at 4:15 pm
A strikeout isn’t the worst way to start. A sign of things to come? Please.
June 15, 2005 at 4:17 pm
Hey Richard, do you recall what the Padres got when they traded Rondell White?
June 15, 2005 at 4:18 pm
Richard, I think that over the cours of a season, against all types of pitchers, Greene is a better hitter than Blum. Blum can hit a lefty, but doesn’t appear to gain anything by switch-hitting.
June 15, 2005 at 4:19 pm
I don’t recall. I’ll try to find it…
June 15, 2005 at 4:20 pm
I agree, Lance, but Blum has played better so far this season. If Green returns to form, which I expect he’ll do, then he belongs higher in the lineup.
June 15, 2005 at 4:22 pm
Chris Tierney and Brian Sanches.
June 15, 2005 at 4:25 pm
From MLB.com: He was acquired from the San Diego Padres on Aug. 26 in exchange for minor league pitchers Chris Tierney and Brian Sanches.
June 15, 2005 at 4:25 pm
Rondell White produced 1.1 WARP1 for the Royals and neither player the Padres received have made it to the Majors.
June 15, 2005 at 4:27 pm
Padres go quietly against Maroth in the second.
June 15, 2005 at 4:28 pm
I have no idea what on earth that means but I’m guessing you mean that it was a pretty one-sided deal (not in favor of San Diego). I do realize that it was yet another infamous salary dump.
Speaking of salary dumps, wasn’t Rondell White also the guy we got in exchange for Bubba Trammell?
June 15, 2005 at 4:30 pm
Basically, the White deal did not particularly help either team.
June 15, 2005 at 4:32 pm
First and third with two away, now.
June 15, 2005 at 4:33 pm
Monroe scores. Runners on second and third. Giles messed up going to third.
June 15, 2005 at 4:33 pm
This is all Nevin’s fault, btw.
June 15, 2005 at 4:34 pm
Not sure I’d agree with that. He hit .347 (OBP .400, Slg .613) with 21 RBI in 22 games. That’s a pretty solid contribution from a guy who you got for two nobodies.
June 15, 2005 at 4:35 pm
They only got him for 22 games, though. The Padres’ season was lost. White was going to be a free agent. They got a couple of prospects and got out of paying some of White’s contract.
June 15, 2005 at 4:36 pm
Game over? 4-1.
June 15, 2005 at 4:37 pm
Pathetic. It looks like April’s team is closer to our reality.
June 15, 2005 at 4:38 pm
Yeah, I remember that KC was trying to get some help for their ‘playoff push’ in ‘03. And the Padres were dumping salary… That seems like such a long time ago.
June 15, 2005 at 4:39 pm
It seems longer ago for Kansas City, I’m sure.
June 15, 2005 at 4:40 pm
99% sure of the Bubba Trammell-to-NY connection too.
June 15, 2005 at 4:41 pm
Eaton beans another guy.
June 15, 2005 at 4:41 pm
Tiger broadcasters are talking about gathering clouds. Come on rain!
June 15, 2005 at 4:42 pm
You’re right, Brian. We also sent a pitching prospect with him.
June 15, 2005 at 4:43 pm
Was that LHP Mark Phillips?
June 15, 2005 at 4:44 pm
Eaton’s line so far: 2.0 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 K, 1 BB
Maroth’s line so far: 2.0 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 K, 0 BB
June 15, 2005 at 4:44 pm
Yes, it was.
June 15, 2005 at 4:45 pm
Roberts and Greene coming up…
June 15, 2005 at 4:46 pm
Roberts is 2 for 2.
June 15, 2005 at 4:46 pm
Why do I remember crap like that? Geez, if not for my 9 year-old telling me today is my wife’s birthday, I would have completely forgotten it. But I can remember the name of a guy traded four years ago like it happened yesterday…
June 15, 2005 at 4:46 pm
I hope they don’t try to steal here.
June 15, 2005 at 4:48 pm
Padres Hit & Run. Greene flies out to right field. 4-1 Tigers.
June 15, 2005 at 4:49 pm
Maroth works incredibly slow.
June 15, 2005 at 4:51 pm
Nothing comes of 1-out knock by DR.
June 15, 2005 at 4:57 pm
6 of the last 7 batters have reached base.
June 15, 2005 at 4:59 pm
6 of the last 7 TIGERS batters, I should say.
June 15, 2005 at 5:01 pm
He’s gone: 2.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K
June 15, 2005 at 5:01 pm
2 BB, rather.
June 15, 2005 at 5:03 pm
The Nevin error was HUGE.
June 15, 2005 at 5:03 pm
And 2 HBP.
June 15, 2005 at 5:04 pm
They picked off Logan at first and he got to second.
June 15, 2005 at 5:05 pm
I’m watching the Rangers game, now.
June 15, 2005 at 5:05 pm
This team is the opposite of last month!
June 15, 2005 at 5:06 pm
Kyle Davies is getting destroyed.
June 15, 2005 at 5:07 pm
I am over this team! They don’t care!
June 15, 2005 at 5:08 pm
Chris. Calm down.
June 15, 2005 at 5:08 pm
Richard is starting a Nevin for Hideki Matsui bandwagon.
I don’t see how Matsui will fulfill our need for an iron-gloved would-be slugger who can whiff three times a game. Losing Nevin would create such a void.
June 15, 2005 at 5:08 pm
We could get some drunk fat guys from a softball team to play this good!
June 15, 2005 at 5:09 pm
I’d take a bucket of balls, but I think the Yankees would insist on giving up a bucket of balls being paid eight million dollars.
June 15, 2005 at 5:09 pm
Hey, I’m a drunk fat guy. I’ll sign for the MLB minimum. And, like Dave Roberts, I am a Winning MACHINE!
June 15, 2005 at 5:10 pm
Sorry, I was so pumped last month. I bought season tickets last year and was let down big time so I passed this year. I was thinking about buying season tickets this year, but forget it.
June 15, 2005 at 5:10 pm
Eaton’s line is finally finished: 2.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K
May has allowed two base runners in 0.2 IP.
It could be worse. We could be the Braves right now.
June 15, 2005 at 5:11 pm
I’m all for it. As long as you don’t make any virus excuses!
June 15, 2005 at 5:11 pm
You were disappointed by last season? What’s wrong with you?
June 15, 2005 at 5:12 pm
I miss the complete lack of annoying bandwagon fans we had from 2000-2003.
June 15, 2005 at 5:13 pm
Nevin called out looking. Ramon grounds out on a 2-0 pitch.
June 15, 2005 at 5:14 pm
Giles did the same on a 1-0 pitch.
June 15, 2005 at 5:14 pm
I was disappointed because they had one great month last year then quit the next month just like this year. They ended up short a few games of making the playoffs because of the slump they went into.
June 15, 2005 at 5:15 pm
Maroth has a career 4.43 DT Translated ERA…
June 15, 2005 at 5:16 pm
Did you watch any of the games from 2000-03?
June 15, 2005 at 5:16 pm
Like I have been saying they all swing for the fences. They do great when they work on the fundamentals, take a strike, and then put the ball in play.
June 15, 2005 at 5:19 pm
Darrell hasn’t been bad as a reliever with a 3.36 ERA.
June 15, 2005 at 5:20 pm
Yeah, I was also there in 98, I think it was, when they won the pennant and went to the fall classic.
June 15, 2005 at 5:20 pm
3.63, rather. And that was going into today.
June 15, 2005 at 5:20 pm
You went to games from 2000-2003, then?
June 15, 2005 at 5:22 pm
Lance, I think the padres should trade for you. What do you do for a living, and can Klesko take your place.
June 15, 2005 at 5:22 pm
yeah
June 15, 2005 at 5:22 pm
Klesko? Chris, Klesko has been the team’s second best hitter after Giles.
June 15, 2005 at 5:24 pm
I know. Just really frustrated.
June 15, 2005 at 5:49 pm
Hernandez just grounded out after the Padres’ first 3-ball count of the night. Either Maroth has been great, or the Padres have been really impatient.
June 15, 2005 at 6:00 pm
I’m a better fielder than Klesko, but they would definitely have to get rid of Nevin, as he and I are similar right-handed batters (strikeout-prone complainers). You need balance in the line-up.
There’s no way in hell Klesko could do my job, BTW.
June 15, 2005 at 6:59 pm
Farm Report: According to a poster to the discussion board at pdxbeavers.com, Kerry Robinson “exercised an ‘out clause’ in his contract today and took a release.”
I know GY was down on K-Rob, but I felt he was a good player to have a AAA … that he was still improving enough that he could possibly provide some short-term help … eh, not worth sweatin’ over …
More ABs for Hyzdu now … a guy I think is worse than K-Rob … meaning I think the Beavers will win fewer games without him … and I think that hurts the Padres (ie. I think there’s value in having a winning team at all levels in the minors … I want Barfield to be used to winning ball games, for example).
June 15, 2005 at 7:02 pm
… but on a second glace at the numbers (http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/Stats/teamstats.html?did=998&t=t_ibp&cid=248) … K-Rob’s .316 OBP is stunningly low … whereas Hyzdu has a .397 OBP (due to 28 BBs in ~140 PAs) … so long, Kerry!
June 15, 2005 at 8:22 pm
Adam Hyzdu responds with a HR and walk in his first 2 AB’s tonight … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....a_tacaaa_1
ps. I am NOT advocating a return of Adam Hyzdu to the Padres … I now think he’s good for the Beavers … but I’ll be hard pressed to ever believe he can/will be good for a major league club …
June 15, 2005 at 8:29 pm
Farm Report … A Matt Bush walk starts a 9th-inning rally … a Colt Morton single finishes it … the Ft Wayne fans go home happy … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....x_ftwafx_1
That’s how I’m going to end my evening … on a good note! Cheers!
June 15, 2005 at 10:24 pm
A Matt Bush walk? That’s news in and of itself.
June 15, 2005 at 11:53 pm
OK, one more … this from the Portland Beavers’ daily email … about yesterday’s game …
Beavers starter Tim Redding threw well in the first outing of his major league rehab stint, allowing just four hits in four shutout innings.