first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Woody Williams (2-3, 4.46 ERA) vs Jon Garland (9-2, 3.40 ERA)
The Padres salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the Indians behind seven shutout innings from Adam Eaton, who also drove in a run at the plate. The emergence of Eaton this year has been one of the keys to San Diego’s success thus far.
Next up, the White Sox. There’s really not much to go on with the head-to-head matchups, and to be honest, I’m kinda fried from the week. Go read the chat Vince and I had about the series, if you haven’t already; it’s all pretty much there.
If you’re stuck for ideas, why not continue yesterday’s discussion of Bobby Abreu and Brian Giles as potential future HOFers? FWIW, I like Abreu’s chances better because of his age. Off the top of my head, I’d think that Giles would have to play at a high level into his 40s to have a shot. Doesn’t strike me as likely, but you never know.
Anyway, enough of the HOF; let’s see if the Pads can get a win tonight.
Errata, Corrigenda, and Other Latin Words
In Wednesday’s In-Game Discussion I said, while talking about the Padres 1996 draft, “I believe Jason Middlebrook (ninth round) is the only guy who ever sniffed the big leagues.”
Jonathan of PDX Beavers fame wrote in to set the record straight, and for this I am grateful:
You missed only one guy – the Pads 15th round pick that year, Steve Watkins, one of my favorite Beavers pitchers of the last few years.
Watkins had a cup of coffee with the Pads last year (11 games), but is now ironically with the Indians system. He’s in AAA currently, and pitching OK. He had a very good spring with Cleveland and I expect he’ll get another look in the bigs at some point this year.
Also, catcher Brian Loyd was their 5th round pick that year – maybe the most brutal Beavers hitter of the last 5 years. Oh man, he was overmatched at AAA, never got beyond that point.
Of course, how could I have forgotten Watkins? And Loyd, for that matter; he’s the guy the Padres sent to Toronto in exchange for a washed-up Randy Myers. The one other interesting name from the 1996 draft was Vernon Maxwell. I say “interesting” because not only does he share the same name as a pretty good basketball player, but also he was part of the deal that sent Hideki Irabu to the Yankees.
Thanks again for the heads-up, Jonathan. And if any of you haven’t visited PDX Beavers, be sure to do so. That’s your source for info on the Padres Triple-A affiliate in Portland.
dang that burroughs is sure killing us..
yall forget about the triple the other night?
I am actually wishing to listen to Flannery right now. These Sox announcers are the biggest homers I have heard in a while.
It’s easy to forget about that triple when the following 50 ABs involve a short pop up to shallow left. Also forgot about the triple because if I recall the next three batters left him there.
Hey Hey Giles heating up, two homers in two days. Let’s chase this guy now.
Ryno doesn’t take a strike …
Cesar was awesome – I should have the interview & article posted
*missed the tag!*
…on monday-tuesday
Bad baserunning there.
Ramon swings at first strike … who do these guys think they are, Brian Giles?
I always thought you were taught to slide to the opposite side of the bag from the fielder but I never played the game so what do I now?
However, it looks like he was probably safe though…..
Peter – lookin’ forward to it! How’d you arrange that?
Bang Bang play with no good angle to tell. Call could have gone either way.
DAMN, if Nevin stays at second, we trail by one.
I have my ways
So long, Boch!
Garland over 100 pitches now …
I arranged it through the U. Miami Athletic Dept.
Key AB for Khilil … who will PH, if we get there?
pitch 2 was a strike – #3 was off the plate…
Anyone know where Padres rank in # of base-runners thrown out? Those are killer!
missed DP vs. Cubs, missed call against Phil vs. Chi-Sox, wide Garland K-zone (I just turned on the game, how consistent has the strike zone been tonight?) – what is it with umps and chicago teams?
Thru 7 full … score 3-1 …
Pitches-strikes: Garland 108-68, Williams, W 81-53.
Ground outs-fly outs: Garland 7-8, Williams, W 8-11.
Batters faced: Garland 26, Williams, W 25.
… send Woody back out? I ‘spose … but it ain’t obvious …
Short leash … yank Woody! Let’s get the pen in there … we can get 2 more runs!
Woody deserved better. He’s looked solid since coming off the DL.
Ru-dy! Ru-dy! Ru-dy!
ug … i know that’s in depth and insightful … but that’s ‘nuf said …
man! – ugh!!!
Is the infield playing in? Can’t tell that from Gamecaster
Litterally threw the game away.
I’m outta here … got a 0615 tee time … and tix to OSU vs USC tomorrow night … Buck vs Kennedy … the 2 best pitchers in the Pac-10!
Time for some rally caps! Get the out shileleigh (sp?)!!!
That Nevin baserunning error and the WP by Seanez are huge, otherwise this game would be tied.
Well, once again we did not hit. Someimes, its the pitcher, but who can tell with these fickle hitters.
We are still ice cold with the bats. Maybe Giles can lead us out of out hitting slump as before.
Nevin looked out by a whisker. The throw beat him and most umpires rely on that to indicate the call.
Boch got tossed, good for him.
Woody pitched well enough to win, but our hitters let us down again.
Millions of dollars a year, big houses, any car the want, any toy they want, and they can’t hit the f____ing baseball. If I performed so poorly at work, I would be fired.
A bitter Padre Mike
Luckily, tomorrow is another day.
Tough game. Chicago definitely doesn’t give you anything. Patient hitters, few walks allowed, solid defense. Played close enough to win, but the keys:
Nevin getting thrown out; if I was a CWS fan, I would say good call; very, very close, but they go that way sometimes. What annoys me about the play is that Nevin was jogging into second, saw the bobble and then sped up. If he running hard the whole way, takes a turn, and sees the bobble, he is in easily. Seems like a Nevin thing; don’t have to be all out all the time. OK, but don’t arbitrarily decide you are Charlie Hustle and then get thrown out at a horrible time.
The catch by Rowan. That after some questionable calls on Greene by the HPU.
AJ Piezrn-whatever’s HR. Woody was cruising; if he doesn’t give that up, we are in this.
The passed ball hurt, but 1rst and 3rd and no outs usually yields a run. The fact that it was a PB/WP and 3k’s hurts, but tough to expect too much differently.
To keep rambling, I am wondering if teams are adjusting to the Padres hitting style. I would argue they have been pretty patient, but I am seeing a lot of first and second pitch strikes thrown against the Padres. Being patient is good, but if they are throwing meatballs on pitch 1, I can understand the swinging. And I do think it depends on the hitters. Some just look bad on two strikes (Burroughs, Nevin); others seem to keep their approach intact, trusting their eye (Giles, Klesko).
One final note: did a base on balls beat up Nevin as a kid? He won’t let them walk him.