first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Woody Williams (2-5, 4.47 ERA) vs Derek Lowe (5-7, 3.69 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS | Padres.com
Now that was a dominant pitching performance. Brad Penny was outstanding, but Jake Peavy pitched about as well as a guy can pitch (dig the photo; it’s even better in print, splayed across the front page of the sports section). Some of us (myself included) would like to have seen Peavy lifted an inning earlier, but 124 pitches doesn’t strike me as outrageous, as long as it doesn’t become the norm. Robert Fick scored the only run of the game on an RBI double off the bat of Brian Giles.
Fick, subbing for the injured Ramon Hernandez, has also done a real nice job behind the dish after not having played there since 2001. He and Peavy were locked in last night. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The Padres did a tremendous job this off-season of assembling a solid bench and bullpen for relatively little money, and there is no better example of that than Fick. He never gives away an at-bat, and his versatility is such an asset. Am I fan? You bet I am.
For more on Monday night’s game, be sure to check out Rich Campbell’s take over at San Diego Spotlight. And speaking of SDS, Peter Friberg will be on “Outta Left Field” before tonight’s game, talking about the Padres draft. Tape it, watch it, love it.
That reminds me, there is a game tonight. Two very different approaches to pitching for the starters. Here are ground ball/fly ball ratios:
2005 career
Williams 0.91 0.86
Lowe 2.88 3.29
And, of course, the head-to-head matchups:
AB BA OBP SLG
Williams vs current Dodgers 166 .253 .337 .446
Lowe vs current Padres 111 .234 .298 .270
Jeff Kent (.350/.469/.750 in 40 AB) is doing the big damage, no surprise. The only other guys who’ve had much success against Woody are hurt. Story of the Dodgers season so far.
On the flip side, nobody has done anything against Lowe. Geoff Blum (.200/.250/.400 in 15 AB) has the lone homer. And in contrast to the recent past, Lowe has very pronounced lefty/righty splits this year:
AB BA OBP SLG
vs LHB 207 .324 .366 .449
vs RHB 182 .214 .226 .335
Sort of the anti-Penny. If we get a glimpse of Xavier Nady tonight, it most likely will be again as a defensive replacement.
With the D’backs losing at San Francisco on Monday, the Friars have extended their lead in the NL West to 4 1/2 games. Now is a good time to put a little distance between first and second place. Here’s hoping Woody and the boys can keep the ball rolling Tuesday night.
I tuned in late, and only got to watch Giles walk in 8th and got to watch the incredibly predictable Nevin K. What does Bochy think? I am in a 12-step program, and one of the slogans in the program is “Repeating the same behavior but expecting different results.” Perhaps someone needs to do an intervention with Bruce.
Then a bit tight 9th, though, as others have noticed, that 4th ball to Drew could have easily been a strike, given the ump had a pretty generous strike zone.
I am knocked on wood as I type this, but our pitching is really coming together. I am not too worried about Peavy’s and Eaton’s struggles lately (especially for Peavy after last night). But watching Stauffer, Lawrence and Williams pick it up has been very nice to watch. And then May throws in a spot start like he did in Minnesota; yikes.
Here’s hoping I did not jinx Woody. And as others have noticed, this could be our lucky season if we play as we did in the first 3 weeks of June and actually gain ground.
Bury the Blue.
Jay
I watch that 8 inning and was really hoping Giles was going to rip another single to score Davey.
Of course, Nevin has to get his Ks for the night also. Bochy needs to sit him down for a few games and let Nady into the lineup. Their slugging percentage is about the same and considering that Nady is only a part-time player, who knows how he’ll be with more ABs. Can’t be worse than Nevin.
Oh, that 2 base error was just killing me. Remember when he throw away the DP ball last week that led to more runs instead of out of the inning.
Also, I was surprised to see Bochy let Jake back in the 8th.
Here’s to Woody ‘the hard luck loser’ on the Padres staff so far. Let’s lady luck let him get a win tonight and the bats come alive for more than 1 run.
Jay: Nevin is the single most complicated piece of the Padre puzzle this year. He cannot be traded and yet, based on his returns for the first 60+ games, he’s probably not the best option at 1B right now. Teams that spend like the Pads cannot afford to be saddled with those kinds of contracts.
Hey Didi, haven’t seen you around before. Thanks for stopping by and giving your thoughts! I’m in total agreement with Nady/Nevin, if even just for the short term.
Hi Geoff,
Good writing on the site. Nice job.
I enjoy your blog very much.
Been reading starting this season. Just finally decided to put in my cents about Nevin. I’ve been wanting to rid of him for two seasons now.
Just waiting for the team to be winning a bit before I ranted. Nevin needs to be dealt this year and then we can deal with Klesko’s contract next year. At least Ryno takes walks.
I missed your “Outta Left Field” appearance.
Hope you had fun. Got a tape?
Richard – you asked yesterday about “food at the feed” … and, despite it’s name, there isn’t any Pizza at the Pizza Feed
I’m sure you’ll be able to purchase Petco’s finest consessions anytime you want … but unless I get a recommendation otherwise, I’m not planning to attend on an empty stomach …
So, where should we meet for a pre-game munch? I’ve heard there’s a pub near the Omni Hotel across the street from Petco … would that be a good place? Anybody know the name of the place I’ve described?
Lynchmob, there’s DOZENS of bars and pubs in the immediate vacinity. Dunno which one you have in mind. I think Richard’s my ride, so I defer to him.
Not sure if he’s a bar-going sort. I, myself, drink every chance I get, and would welcome the opportunity to tip a few with any and all of you.
I’m NOT a bar-going sort … but the term “pub” usually implies to me more-than-just-a-bar, meaning good food also, and that’s all I’m after … perhaps we should hit one of those Mexican places that Geoff was rav’ing about earlier this season?
I’m off to see the Emeralds play … I’ll check back in (much) later tonight …
The Field, on 5th between Market and Island, is a pretty cool Irish pub with good eats:
http://www.thefieldirishpub.com/
Just one possibility…
Earlier today I sent an e-mail to Paul Swaydan (who apparently is organizing the event for BP), asking whether food would be served, what time Towers would be speaking, and where exactly the auditorium is. Haven’t heard anything back yet. Do any of you know the answers to these questions?
Oooops, see now that LynchMob has already answered one of my questions. How about the other two?
Wait, did I read that right? There’s no pizza at the pizza feed? LynchMob, you being serious? I gotta look this up…
Being 19 y/o, I’m not much of a bar-going sort.
And the only place I ever ate downtown with any frequency is gone (Old Spaghetti Factory).
Geoff’s right about The Field… good place.
I’m pretty sure there’s all-ages dining.
Sorry, Richard, I just figured all 19-year-olds had fake ID’s.
Gagne is out for the year. … Sweeney is playing for Nevin tonight. … Klesko is still batting ahead of Giles. Oh well.
If Gagne wasn’t a member of the Dodgers, I think I’d actually like the guy.
He plays for Satan’s team, however, and now he’s suffering the repercussions that befall those who ally themselves with the Devil.
Too bad, so sad…
For those who didn’t get to see it, Peter was great on Outta Left Field. Did a real nice job of breaking down the Padres draft.
Also, the “poke Troy in the eyes” thing has taken on a life of its own.
Anyway, solid job, Peter.
Regarding Klesko hitting in front of Giles, I’d solve that by putting Giles in the leadoff spot.
Hey, Geoff, didn’t think you would be around tonight. When is that pizza feed?
Roberts has been great in that spot. Giles should hit second or third.
Scully: The Padres and Dodgers have split their last 44 games.
Kevin, the Pizza Feed is Friday night. Not sure the exact start time. I’ll pass that along as soon as I hear.
I don’t need the time because I’m in North Carolina. I was just wondering.
Look at Klesko playing the carom off the wall. Nice!
I thought that was out.
Ah, that’s too bad; I was hoping you’d be able to make it out here. Next time…
Great catch by Giles. Inning saver.
Giles: 3 putouts in two innings.
We’re only about 400 posts behind last night’s effort.
Kevin, Roberts HAS NOT been great in that spot. What’s your definition of great?!?!
He’s been better than I expected, but I expected that he’d be among the least productive everyday outfielders in recent memory. Sort of like Gary Pettis without the Gold Glove defense.
Look at his runs per PA, and you’ll find that no amount of Phil Nevin strikeouts will justify it.
He’s also no better than average in centerfield, and his ark is as bad as Johnny Damon’s. It looks better, because Damon throws like a girl, but it’s no stronger, and less accurate.
Sooner or later, having a fifth outfielder/pinch runner in the starting lineup is gonna catch up to us.
The Padres may NEVER score off of Lowe.
Roberts came into tonight hitting .283/.351/.449. Maybe I’m saying great because of the expectations, but I was hoping for a .350 on-base from him, and that was really hoping because his career on-base was that good. He has met that criteria, but the .449 slugging has been GREAT, because lead-off hitters aren’t suppose to do that, and Roberts career slugging is .357.
As for the fielding, I wasn’t commenting on that at all — only his play in the leadoff spot.
Plus, he has been a difference-maker for this team. When he plays, the Padres win. Their record with and without him is night and day. I don’t have the numbers off hand, but it’s a big difference.
Richard has the numbers, and they speak of a small-sample coincidence.
But coincidence be damned, Dave Roberts is the WINNING MACHINE.
I guess if you don’t read Friar Faithful, it’s not so funny.
They’re talking to Cesar Ramos on the TV broadcast. The inevitable comparison to Tom Glavine.
Actually, the difference isn’t as great as I thought. Coming into tonight, they are 9-10 without him and 30-21 with him. Still, a difference.
What’s Ramos saying?
Something about what an honor it is to be on the same field as Dave Roberts, WINNING MACHINE, I suppose…
Kahlil!
Great play by Greene (I’m so stoned.)
Great play by Khalil. Can’t believe some people didn’t think he had the arm to play short.
I would say 10 games is a significant difference!
Ramos was talking about not having overpowering stuff and trying to keep the ball down in the zone, throw strikes, etc. He carried himself real well talking with Mud and Matt.
Ten games WOULD be significant, if Roberts’ presence had a significant impact in the games.
I would bet that an analysis of how all those games were won or lost would show minimal impact from Roberts.
And remember, outside of Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, or Bonds in their best seasons, few players in baseball history have been worth more than a half-dozen wins per season above league-average level.
As I write this, Roberts singles off Lowe. Geez…
You’re right. It is a difference. I just thought it was more.
Kevin is stoned. That explains his love of Dave Roberts.
Or it was a “Fast Times” reference, in which case there is no explanation.
Scully on Klesko: He always looks annoyed.
“Fast Times”, of course. I always put that beside Greene plays.
10 game difference in 70 games isn’t big enough? Tough crowd.
Aloha, Mr. Hand…
Mark Grant is one of the nicest people alive, so it’s not surprising he made Ramos comfortable.
Grant and my dad are in Alpine Kaiwanis together, and Mark treats everybody as if he’s thrilled to see them, and recognizes you and remembers your name, even if you only met him once, several years ago.
None of this comes off as anything less than sincere, either.
Scully just called Sweeney “the dangerous Mr. Sweeney”! Then he of course strikes out looking.
Ten games in 70 would be swell, if anyone cared to show me a connection between Roberts’
being in the lineup, and the victories.
I don’t even need to do the research to have confidence in stating that there was seldom a compelling link.
I suspect our record might be better if he’d missed MORE time, or been used more sparingly.
Another Spicoli quip:
“You diiick!!!!”
Of course, this was a response to Mr. Hand’s confiscation of Spicoli’s pizza.
Which brings me to the rumored lack of pizza at the supposed “Pizza Feed.”