first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Brian Lawrence (3-6, 5.35 ERA) vs Cliff Lee (6-3, 3.62 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS| SI | Padres.com
After starting the season 16-4 at Petco Park, the Padres have dropped four more in just seven games on the current homestand. They’ve followed a 22-6 May by losing four of their first five in June. The Indians come to San Diego with a 26-29 record; although they aren’t winning a great deal, the Padres shouldn’t make the mistake of looking past them to the White Sox, owners of MLB’s best record, who come to town next.
The Cleveland lineup features several good young hitters, including Travis Hafner, Coco Crisp, and Ben Broussard, as well as some others who aren’t doing as well this year but who have talent (Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez). The pitching matchups look to favor the Padres, though, and if they can execute properly and stay healthy, they should put themselves in position to take the series.
Also, as a reminder, I’ll be on “Outta Left Field” Wednesday night. Show starts at 5:30 p.m. Be sure to swing by the Hall of Fame Bar & Grill if you’re at the game or call in if you’re watching on Channel 4.
NL All-Star voting was released again today. Only Ramond Hernandez has moved into the top five at his position (or top 10 in the the case of outfielders):
Catcher
1, Mike Piazza, Mets, 579,502.
2, Paul Lo Duca, Marlins, 378,213.
3, Johnny Estrada, Braves, 215,774.
4, Yadier Molina, Cardinals, 208,480.
5, Ramon Hernandez, Padres, 195,088.
I think some very small piece of credit belongs to Gaslamp Ball. The majority of the credit obviously goes to my article read by as many as 15 people.
Piazza and Nomar are the guys who are leading at their positions who just flat-out stink. It’s the retro craze gone way too far.
Hey everyone.
I have long giving up caring about the AS Game. The voting this year seems even more out of whack than usual.
It ceases to amaze me that Nady does not play more. I wonder what kind of grudge Bochy has for him. Nice diving catch for the first out of the second.
Nice 1-2-3 inning there for BLaw. He is looking much better this week.
X is a stud who deserves more PT.
Padre draftee bios here:
http://www.all-baseball.com/ducksnorts/archives/019074.html
It doesn’t look like the Pads are seeing the ball from Lee that well. 5 of 6 have now struck out, 3 looking.
Heckuva throw by Ramon. Wow.
Best throw he’s made this season.
B-Law works the walk. That was clutch.
Nice to see the Pads make Lee work for it, sad thing is that it was Lawrence who drew the walk.
And Blum’s at-bat was a little less clutch.
Nice bunt by Khalil.
Yes Blum had what I call the Petco Special. The Infield and/or foul popup with runners in scoring position.
Giles just swung at Ball 4.
Nice catch by Vic Martinez, but it was another Petco Special, this time in foul territory. How do you put two runners in scoring position and then proceed to not hit the ball out of the infield. Frustrating. Giles continues to be very below avg. at home.
It is a good thing that Lawrence has brought his game tonight because this contest has all the makings of a 2-1 affair.
Nice job by X to fight that pitch for a single.
When is Peavy starting again?
Kevin, I believe Peavy is starting tomorrow with Eaton scheduled on Thursday.
That’s a homer literally in any other park.
Oh yeah, and I am sure the thought occurred to Ryno
7 LOB through 6, 4 in scoring position.
Lawrence has cruised. World of difference from last week. I hope he gets away from his Jekyl and Hyde patter. But he sure has looked pretty good tonight. 90 pitches, 7 IP, 5 hits, no walks and a K.
That is 8 shutout innings by BLaw. Time to give him the win with the big guns coming up. How about a solo shot and bring in Hoffy to close it out?
Dammit. Nevin hammered that ball. Right into the first baseman’s mitt for an inning-ending DP.
I hope that botched DP by Blum doesn’t come back to bite us.
Yahoo says “X. Nady grounded out to pitcher, D. Roberts to second” … did he bunt?
Burroughs is up … with 2-outs and winning run @ 2B … will a “single to left” win the game for us”?
No, just a weak bouncer to the pitcher.
No, the slow comebacker caught the pitcher flat-footed and he was unable to make a move for a DP.
CF Dave Roberts was a late scratch with a sore right shoulder. Xavier Nady replaced him in the lineup. … The Padres are close to nearing full health as the seven players who were stricken with an upper respiratory infection last week are all back playing. LF Ryan Klesko, who missed two games over the weekend, was back in the starting lineup. RHP Jake Peavy, who missed a start on Sunday, is set to pitch on Wednesday against Cleveland.
Pitching stats thru 9 full … score: 0-0 …
Pitches-strikes – C Lee 111-74; A Rhodes 14-10; B Howry 7-4; S Sauerbeck 4-3; B Lawrence 97-71; S Linebrink 14-9.
Ground balls-fly balls – C Lee 3-9; A Rhodes 0-2; B Howry 1-0; S Sauerbeck 0-1; B Lawrence 6-16; S Linebrink 1-1.
Batters faced – C Lee 28; A Rhodes 4; B Howry 2; S Sauerbeck 1; B Lawrence 27; S Linebrink 4.
Suraida!
The tenth is Aki’s!
In my best Vaskergian (sp?) voice, of course.
Aki has it working tonight. That thing bounced in front of the plate and Belliard swung at it.
What does “Suraida” mean?
Aki in 10th …
- J. Gerut struck out looking
- R. Belliard struck out swinging
- A. Cora grounded out to second
16 pitches … 11 for strikes
It’s how they say “slider” in Japan:
http://ww1.baywell.ne.jp/fpweb/drlatham/nihongo/diction.htm
No “yusho” for Aki tonight … thanks for the explanation & link, Geoff!
Hoffman’s in. I guess the Padres are thinking they are going to win it this inning.
Bochy goes “all in” …
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Broussard is not a fast man, there was no need to rush that throw.
I know the error has led to two runs, but what’s up with the boo birds again?
Wickman for the save, facing Giles, Nevin, Klesko.
vs Giles: .250/.300/.250 in 8 AB
vs Nevin: .167/.286/.167 in 6 AB
never faced Klesko
Fick is the only guy left on the bench. He’s at .200/.333/.200 in 5 AB.
Trevor deserved better than he got in that inning.
I like the “all in” comment. There shouldn’t be any boos as well as this team has played.
Klesko keeps it alive for the moment. Ojeda has never faced Wickman. Ramon was the Padre hitter with the most success against Wickman.
And of course, Ojeda almost ties it up.