first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Darrell May (0-0, 4.96 ERA) vs Greg Maddux (3-3, 4.08 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS| SI | Padres.com
Huge game from Adam Eaton Friday night. After a sluggish start, he completely shut down the Cubbies, most notably Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. Eaton also singled, tripled, and scored two runs in the 6-2 victory. Akinori Otsuka also returned to form, getting the final four outs for his first save of the year.
On offense, the Pads were efficient and took advantage of opportunities. Eaton’s triple probably was the hardest hit ball of the night, but guys were able to find the hole, and when Neifi Perez threw wide of first on what should have been an inning-ending double play in the fifth, the Friars made San Diego native Sergio Mitre pay to the tune of four runs. It was also nice to see some good baserunning. Guys were getting good jumps and making nice slides. The Padres didn’t do anything that would make you stand up and take notice, but they executed well and they kept the Cubs on their heels all night. Good, fundamental baseball.
Saturday night features a matchup between two pitchers who have combined for 333 big-league victories. Of course, Maddux has 308 of those.
AB BA OBP SLG
May vs current Cubs 35 .257 .297 .314
Maddux vs current Padres 211 .284 .311 .341
Brian Giles (.348/.444/.565 in 23 AB) and Ryan Klesko (.353/.389/.529 in 17 AB) have had success against The Professor. They have the only homers, and Giles somehow has drawn four free passes, which is amazing against a guy who has averaged 1.87 walks per nine innings in over 4000 innings.
Only Jerry Hairston (.222/.364/.222 in 9 AB) has faced May more than 10 times. Nomar Garciaparra has the best numbers, and he’s on the DL. A couple more interesting splits so far for May:
AB BA OBP SLG
vs LHB 32 .219 .278 .281
vs RHB 103 .330 .386 .544
AB BA OBP SLG
home 48 .188 .273 .271
road 87 .368 .411 .598
I won’t be able to join the festivities tonight (band rehearsal), so carry on without me. You stay classy, San Diego.
How come I get this sense of “impending doom” everytime May is slated to pitch? Please make be be wrong again. How many bullets can you dodge when you pitch as crappy as May? One more I hope.
Since Darrell May is starting tonight, I thought you’d be interested to know how the guy San Diego traded for him is doing. Here’s what KC is getting for T. Long and his $4.9MM salary:
G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS
46 143 18 34 8 0 2 12 8 18 3 .238 .276 .336 .612
That’s $5MM for a .612 OPS corner outfielder.
here we go, thank goodness we escaped with only the homer against us. He isnt fooling anyone but he dodged pretty well…5 more innings to dodge..
phil nevin still slumping and driving in runs.. wtg phil..
With so many people sick with the flu (the radio guys were commenting about the epidemic that’s spreading in the clubhouse), they might have to ask May to go more than his usual 5-and-fly.
very nice inning, nice job may..
leadoff walk? great job sean, come on Khalil get him over..
chit!!! didnt get the job done..fly out
dang it! both Ojeda and Khalil failed to move the runner up..now May is supposed to drive him in from first? I dont think so…
fundamentals guys!!
Who else is sick? Ramon, Klesko? I ask about them because they aren’t starting tonight. Once again I have to ask–I know Sweeney is a lefty–why is Nady not playing left? Is Nady sick too?
They said Peavy is the worst. I guess his start tomorrow is in doubt. They may throw Woody instead.
Pretty sure they mentioned Klesko too. That’s all I can recall. Sorry.
I think you’re right about the lefty Sweeney playing instead of Nady.
I have no idea what is wrong with Nady. Something must be wrong tho, Bochy seemingly has had lots of opportunities to get him ab’s and he still isnt putting him in there.
on another note: wtf is with Nevin’s knee buckling in the batters box? thats really strange. Is something going on that the Padres are keeping from everyone?
Here is the latest from The AP: RHP Jake Peavy was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against Carlos Zambrano in the series finale because of an upper respiratory infection. Peavy will start Wednesday night at home against Cleveland. Woody Williams will come off the disabled list Sunday to start for the Padres.
well may pitched as expected but those two plays by khalil didnt help. may is bad enough without helping the cubs to score some extras with defense.
that should be it for may, who is next?
XBH for Burroughs! to right field!
The only pitch location I’ve ever seen Burroughs hit XBH hard is low and inside. anyone ever seen any other?
The only pitch location I’ve ever seen Burroughs hit XBH hard is low and inside. anyone ever seen any other?
again burroughs is stranded. at least its nice to see sean stinging the ball for a change.
I wonder if Burroughs is currently starting a tear in which his SLG will soar to…. .360.
I like how Bochy keeps a quick hook on May. Take advantage of that great pen.
this is starting to get really ugly. cant anyone play defense?
Thank goodness we won’t see any more May starts after tonight
did everybody leave?
good to see Nady and Burroughs having good days at the plate.
funny, but fitting that we start scoring runs after the bench players take over.
Farm Report: Ben Johnson with HR #10 for Portland Beavers tonight.
Luke Steidlemayer with another good start for Ft. Wayne … now 6-2 with 1.90.
Well I see I didn’t miss much. Here’s hopeing Woody is ready to go. Tough assignment to go up against Zambrano in your first start since coming off the DL with what seems like half your teammates suffering some illness/injury. I aim to be pleasantly surprised. See you tomorrow.