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.
No, what’s DR slugging?
Awww, Geoff, I don’t hate DR. I just think I’m a better CF than he is. And I’m right.
From the AP tonight: 1B Phil Nevin was a late scratch for Tuesday’s game with a strained muscle in his left side. … The waiting game continues for RHP Adam Eaton, who missed his schedule start Monday night due to a strained flexor tendon in the finger. Eaton, who had an MRI on Monday that showed no damage, said he believes he will be able to make his scheduled start Friday night against Seattle. Manager Bruce Bochy said he wanted to wait before making that decision. … Bochy also said there is no word on C Ramon Hernandez, who left Friday night’s game at Minnesota with a sore left wrist sustained while diving back into first base. Hernandez played catch before Tuesday’s game, but Bochy said whether Hernandez goes on the disabled list will be determined in the next day or two.
I got an 800 on the math. Aren’t you all impressed.
Only 720 verbal, though.
.461? back of the envelope calculation…
Great bunt. hahaha
Eat that, Johnny Damon.
One out (Death).
OK, hit Giles leadoff, and DR cleanup…
Let’s go Padres! [clapclap clapclapclap]
Padres: 13 left on base.
Kevin’s bringin it. Back him up, Trevor.
I’d bat Fick leadoff until he cools off.
Choi vs Hoffman: 0-for-2, 1 SO
Two outs (Taxes).
Hee Seop Choi is a TTO hitter. Unfortunately for him, the first “T” stands for “Two.”
Not a bad idea, Richard. I can see how it could put more runs on the board, and that’s the idea.
“Goodnight everybody.” – Matt V.
Decent call.
Ciao, Choi! Three outs (Hoffman). That’s No. 412. He’s 47-for-49 vs. the Dodgers.
Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.Game over!!! Dong! Dong!!DONG!!! Dodgers suck.
Trevor with the icky. Ah, very nice.
Nice stat. 47 of 49…
Beating the Dodgers just never gets old.
Well, Choi managed one of the TTO.
Great starting pitching, the great Robert Fick and Hoffman makes it interesting in the ninth. Nice game. And listening to Scully was great as always.
I’m so happy, I could kiss Dave Roberts!!!
A 2-1 slugfest! Guess I was wrong about an all -shutout series.
A weak 176 comment effort tonight.
Only about 250 short of last night. So sad…
3-2 score tomorrow?