In-Game Discussion: Padres vs Cubs (5 Jun 2005)
Sun, Jun 5, 2005
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 1:35 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Woody Williams (2-2, 4.84 ERA) vs Carlos Zambrano (3-3, 3.62 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS| SI | Padres.com
Several Padres are sick right now, including today’s original starter, Jake Peavy, who has lost nine pounds since contracting an upper respiratory infection earlier in the week. Others who are ill include Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko, which makes Xavier Nady’s absence from Saturday’s starting lineup all the more baffling.
Nady eventually made it into the game, after things had gotten pretty well out of hand, and doubled and homered in three at-bats. I continue to be impressed by his ability to produce despite being completely buried at the end of the bench. Someday maybe he’ll get a chance to show what he can do in a more significant role. I hope it’s with the Padres, but who knows.
Williams was supposed to be making a rehab start at Elsinore this weekend, but due to Peavy’s illness, he gets the start this afternoon at Petco. Williams will be limited to 80 or so pitches today. It’s not the matchup that many of us had hoped for, but Woody is a pro. If he can just keep it close and hand it over to the bullpen, the Pads should be okay. Regardless of the outcome, today is the last time the Cubs and their fans will be in town this year.
The other good news is that, despite Saturday’s loss, the Padres actually gained a half game on Arizona, who dropped a doubleheader against the Phillies. The Friars now lead the NL West by 4 games and still have the NL’s second best record.
AB BA OBP SLG
Williams vs current Cubs 271 .303 .356 .502
Zambrano vs current Padres 89 .247 .316 .360
The key culprits against Williams have been Michael Barrett (.600/.667/1.000 in 10 AB), Todd Hollandsworth (.474/.500/1.158 in 19 AB), and Derrek Lee (.375/.444/.500 in 24 AB). Williams has handled Jeromy Burnitz (.143/.226/.393 in 28 AB) and Aramis Ramirez (.265/.286/.382 in 34 AB) pretty well.
Zambrano is holding opponents to a .193/.285/.319 line. I guess the best news is that he can be inefficient, so maybe the Pads can work some counts and get into the bullpen. Or maybe Zambrano’s e-mail elbow will flare up again. Klesko (.500/.545/.800 in 10 AB) is about the only Padre who has done anything against the big right-hander.
If you’re headed to the game today, as am I, remember that the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon is happening and the southbound 163 is closed until noon. The marathon site also recommends avoiding I-5, so your best bet if you’re coming from the north is probably I-805, then west on the 94 (which turns into F Street).
Here’s hoping the Pads can salvage the split today.
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June 5, 2005 at 1:50 pm
I, too, am off to a game today … perhaps to see a future Padre. I’ve been to see the Oregon St Beavers win their first two games (over Ohio St and St. Johns) in the NCAA Regional event this weekend. There continues to be a lot of talk of the Padres interest in Jacoby Ellsbury, the Beavers’ CF for their first round pick (#18). I’ve seen him play 4 games now, and he’s good … he’s fast (not Freddie Guzman fast) and makes solid contact with the bat … but I’m hoping the Padres have a power-hitter or front-line starting pitcher fall to them @ #18 … perhaps I’m dreaming, but that’s what all thoughts of the future (and pro drafts in particular) are all about
Here’s Woody’s stats after the 1st inning …
Pitches-strikes - W Williams 10-8.
Ground balls-fly balls - W Williams 0-3.
Batters faced - W Williams 3.
June 5, 2005 at 1:55 pm
Well, that was frustrating to v-watch …
- D. Roberts walked
- D. Roberts caught stealing, catcher to second
- S. Burroughs walked
- B. Giles walked, S. Burroughs to second
- P. Nevin popped out to first
- R. Hernandez struck out swinging
After 1 full inning, it’s 0-0 … here’s pitching stats …
Pitches-strikes - C Zambrano 27-13; W Williams 10-8.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Zambrano 0-1; W Williams 0-3.
Batters faced - C Zambrano 5; W Williams 3.
June 5, 2005 at 2:00 pm
I hate when we run ourselves out of things with the hit and run.
June 5, 2005 at 2:24 pm
With Zambrano you are not gonna get a bunch of hits. Stealing some bases or hit and run is good when you are sure the batter can make contact.
Woody is hanging in there…
June 5, 2005 at 2:26 pm
I guess it can work out. I like stolen bases. But the one in first inning was a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out, double play.
Burroughs is 5-for-9 in the series. He wants to keep his job.
June 5, 2005 at 2:38 pm
not only that, Sean seems to be hitting the ball with more authority. It could be that now that his legs are healthy he can use them instead of hitting JUST with his hands.
as I was typing, jackson misses turning the dp and we paid for it.. dang!!
June 5, 2005 at 2:43 pm
Hank, Sean’s legs must have been hurting him that much. Otherwise there is no excuse for the way he was swinging the bat. But I agree he has looked much better since coming back. Hopefully he will build upon this.
June 5, 2005 at 2:55 pm
Woody has looked pretty good, wonder if Boch will let him go one more? 88 pitches already…sked for only 80 pitches but Woody will be begging to stay in I expect..
June 5, 2005 at 2:56 pm
sweeney hit for woody, guess that answerrs that question, lol
June 5, 2005 at 2:58 pm
Since his wild first, we haven’t done much against Zambrano today. I feel like we let him off the hook there in the first.
June 5, 2005 at 3:08 pm
and in the second…roberts walked and burroughs singled before giles lined into the dp..
June 5, 2005 at 3:11 pm
here we go, top of the order and they have seen him twice…lets go dave, get us started..
June 5, 2005 at 3:16 pm
This is a promising start. Two straight hits.
June 5, 2005 at 3:16 pm
okey dokey, dave and sean have set the table..
giles, nevin and hernandez need to do the job!!
June 5, 2005 at 3:17 pm
Giles moves the runners. Here’s Nevin’s chance to tie the game.
June 5, 2005 at 3:18 pm
ok..giles got em over..now its up to Phil and Ramon to get em in..
June 5, 2005 at 3:21 pm
dang it Phil, I know it tough with 95+ but you gotta make contact and get that run in!
June 5, 2005 at 3:23 pm
It just makes me want to scream!!! so frustrating. Dangit! I know they are trying and got a pretty good idea how tough it is, but geeeesh.. you cant keep wasting opportunities like this!
June 5, 2005 at 3:25 pm
Doesn’t look to be our day. I would like to attribute the team’s sluggishness to the illness, and that when they are healthy again they will pick up right where they left off.
June 5, 2005 at 3:37 pm
That’s two runs now gifted to the Cubs because of poor throws to first on routine groundouts.
June 5, 2005 at 3:40 pm
We gotta make those plays! wtf is going on?
June 5, 2005 at 3:45 pm
Greene is just not having a good day. His slow reaction to the earlier one-out double play opportunity cost us the DP that then led to a run, and his poor throw just cost us another run. He looks lost at the plate as well. He’s pressing no doubt. Is he sick too now?
June 5, 2005 at 4:06 pm
he must be sick too. he made a couple off goofs yesterday that cost us runs early(while the game was still winnable)
June 5, 2005 at 4:17 pm
Well that’s that. Not a good way to end the series, but at least tomorrow is a day off and gives the team a chance to heal. I have no doubt that Bochy would have rested Greene today had Blum been healty. He looks like he could use a break.
June 5, 2005 at 9:25 pm
Farm Report …
#11 for Ben Johnson + #9 for JJ in AAA Portland loss … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....a_poraaa_1
#6 for Fernando Jr (now hitting .340) + #4 for Baker (now hitting .386) for A Lake Elsinore … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....x_lesafx_1
June 5, 2005 at 9:35 pm
Farm Report … a VERY interesting interview by Johnathan (of PDXBeavers.com) of the AA Mobile play-by-play guy … a fun look inside the Bay Bears …
http://www.pdxbeavers.com/comm......php?id=69