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.
15 (Bonds & Olerud)
Useless footnote: I once saw Linebrink and Wunsch start against each other in a Cal League game. Stockton at San Jose, 1997.
I think Jeter had a streak close to 15.
Those two seasons were as a less-than-full-time player, in which his stats are skewed by advantageous matchups.
Funny how he’s never inspired anyone to commit to him in CF (and stick with that commitment) for a full season.
He’s a role player, and we should all know it.
A lot of that is due to injury. I’m more worried about an injury than regression.
Oh and http://kittys.ytmnd.com/.
I mean, what the hell?
Geoff, Loretta was ALWAYS a good hitter. Injuries and an inability to impress the Mil. brass at shortstop kept him from posting impressive counting stats. When we acquired him (for that price, especially) I was ecstatic.
So many players have had great 200 PA runs (not that Roberts’ is “great”) that it’s not even worth running through them. Let’s get hold of ourselves, and make CF one of the positions high on our wish list.
Richard, I’d like some numbers on how many additional runs would be allowed if Nady were in CF. Can you do that?
I think we can all assume that MANY additional runs would be scored on offense.
Why take out Linebrink?
Nady is in the game. The good thing about having Nady as Klesko’s LIDR is that if the Padres do need a bat, at least we don’t have to suffer through Kerry Robinson flailing at empty air.
Of course I can. 8 runs per one hundred games. Dave has hit better, though.
I’m only worried about an injury because DR is supposedly a prince of a guy, and I would hate to see harm come to him.
Wouldn’t hurt the team a bit, though.
And apparently, Richard, “Aki gets the eighth.”
But I’d have sent Linebrink back out.
Kerry Robinson can’t even hit Triple-A pitching.
’cause Aki is Bochy’s 8th inning guy. Linebrink could have throw one pitch to get out of the 7th and would have had no chance to start the 8th, no matter if he was pitching better than Aki or not at this particular moment.
Well, I guess Aki deserves the eighth.
I never like formulas that absolve managers of their obligation to make in-game decisions.
The present-day bullpen configuration does that, as most of you are aware.
K-Rob’s Isolated Patience at AAA: .027
K-Rob’s Isolated Power at AAA: .059
Boo!
Lance, no mistake CF remains on the wish list. I’m just appreciating what Roberts has done for us so far this year. Well beyond my expectations. If he’s really turned a corner and can even maintain a 750 OPS, I’ll be reasonably happy. Roberts has proven to be a much more capable stopgap than I’d imagined he could be.
Bochy is right here.
Dan Iassogna is being a bastard.
I am a better baseball player than Kerry Robinson, and I am not kidding.
Of course, I am not proud of this.
Was Bochy displaying non-mayoral behavior?
What’s up with Iassogna. How the heck does Bochy get tossed on that pitch?
Four seconds from call to toss. That a record?
Iassogna needs to learn the strikezone.
Doesn’t look like Bochy was doing much. Fans behind the plate are giving Iassogna what for.
Kill the ump!
Geoff, you are always the voice of reason. Roberts is still a less than adequate player, but as you aptly described him, a stopgap.
And I hope he continues playing over his head.
DR thought he hit that out.
Look at him go! That’s gone anywhere else.
Dave Roberts does it again!
Home Run trot cost him an inside the park homer.
You think it’s an inside-the-park job if he’s not into his home run trot? Close call.
It’s up to Bob, now.
Maybe a homer if he is running hard out of the box.
DR is damn fast. If he comes out of the box running. He crosses home plate w/o a play.
Richard’s transfering his hatred from Nevin to the umpire.
DR is driving triples off the wall. Reminds me of Carew in the 77 All Star Game, except that DR sucks.
I think there is a legitimate change to either his swing or approach.
Nady sighting. I’m surprised Ojeda isn’t pinch-hitting.
Richard, what are DR’s updated percentages?
See!!! I say that I hope he plays over his head, and look what happens!!!
I’m the key to DR’s success!
.288 BA and .809 OPS…
Angus Young time.
What’s he slugging?
Richard: Nevin :: Lance : Roberts
Catcher’s Interference on Fick.
Hell’s Bells…
Richard, you may have a point regarding his approach. It looks like he waits for balls he can hit HARD, unlike in his past.
This is the sort of thing you would expect from Burroughs in the next couple years, but not from a 33 y/o slap hitter.
His OBP will never be enough, but maybe he’s learned to hit a little.
He’s still average at best in CF, and is miscast at leadoff.
Fick is mortal.
I agree on that, Lance.
What’s Angus Young slugging????
About 1.500, Kevin. Angus is the most feared hitter in the league.
That analogy should be on the SAT, Geoff.
I got an 800 on that half of the SAT…