first pitch: 4:10 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Woody Williams (5-5, 4.15 ERA) vs Tom Glavine (6-7, 4.71 ERA)
previews: ESPN | Padres.com
Gravity. The rising of the sun. The Padres failing to capitalize on opportunities against mediocre pitching. Brownian motion. Xavier Nady sitting on the bench watching his team score one run. Sometimes it is comforting to know that there are things you can count on in this world; other times, not so much.
Maybe today will be better. The matchup:
AB BA OBP SLG
Williams vs current Mets 125 .240 .314 .512
Glavine vs current Padres 203 .241 .311 .365
That ISO against Williams (.272) is kind of alarming, no? Mike Cameron (.389/.450/1.056 in 18 AB), Cliff Floyd (.333/.375/.733 in 15 AB), and Gerald Williams (.313/.353/.750 in 16 AB) are doing the damage. Okay, how in the heck is Gerald Williams still even playing? And Jose Offerman is on this team, too! No Otis Nixon? How about Ken Oberkfell? Surely there must be a spot for Vic Davalillo.
Except for slugging percentage, Glavine’s numbers against Padres hitters are almost the same as Williams’ against Mets hitters. Phil Nevin (.250/.318/.650 in 20 AB) and Mark Loretta (.333/.500/.467 in 15 AB) have had the most success on the other side. Eric Young (.286/.337/.364) has batted against Glavine 77 times over the years. I guess you could say they know each other pretty well.
Don’t Blame Khalil
Khalil Greene homered Tuesday night, accounting for the Friars’ lone run. The Padres’ young shortstop turned a corner early last month:
G AB BA OBP SLG
thru June 10 38 140 .236 .288 .386
since June 11 32 116 .319 .365 .517
What to Do with Ramon
Catcher weighs team vs. family (U-T). Ramon Hernandez‘ injury has come at a most inopportune time. He would like the Padres to sign him to a new deal, and yet, his injured wrist points up the considerable risk in inking a catcher–any catcher–to a long-term contract. Guys get dinged up behind the dish, and Hernandez isn’t real young. Peter and Rich both have discussed the situation over at San Diego Spotlight.
I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: I have a feeling that the Red Sox’ overpaying of Jason Varitek this past winter will end up pushing Hernandez out of the Padres’ price range. It’s a shame, because Hernandez has been terrific. OTOH if he gets a four-year deal, like Varitek did, he’ll be 33 in the final season. I haven’t studied it, but I’d venture to guess there haven’t been a whole lot of 33-year-old catchers in recent history that were worth $8-10M.
Put it this way: Do we really want to end up with another Phil Nevin? The Padres cannot cover their mistakes as easily as a lot of other teams with bigger bank accounts. Look at how long it took the team to get out from under the Randy Myers contract or, more recently, how long it took to turn the roster spot formerly occupied by Terrence Long into something useful.
Make no mistake: I’m totally down with re-signing Hernandez, but only if it doesn’t put the Padres in a position where they become limited in other moves they can make.
Why is Bochy wasting ABs on Nady vs RHP?
Oh, THAT’s why!!!
M. Loretta singled to center
- B. Giles singled to center, M. Loretta to second
- P. Nevin struck out swinging
- R. Klesko struck out swinging
- X. Nady singled to right, M. Loretta scored, B. Giles to third
DJ up … he’s the tieing run!
Good time to use Sweeney (PH for DJ) … just didn’t work out … flied out to right … 7-3 Mets going to bottom of 8th …
Anyone watching Hensley?
Seems like another good inning …
- D. Wright flied out to center
- M. Piazza walked
- G. Williams ran for M. Piazza
- D. Mientkiewicz grounded into fielder’s choice, G. Williams out at second
- M. Cairo flied out to deep right
GO CLAY!
Roberts or Fick to PH here?
Fick works a walk … we’re one more baserunner from seeing Looper … then ANYTHING can happen
Forget Klesko and Nevin tomorrow. put Nady in left and Fick at first and Blum, as an after thought at catcher. These guys are hungry, N, K, H are fat and happy. I want this team to perform! If you don’t perform, you don’t play.
God, K and N drive me crazy. Old, stuck in thier ways, ballplayers failing to make any kind of adjustments or contributions. Give me young and hungry anytime over these old farts.
Was’t that the Es before the became the Ws?
Sigh …
- R. Fick walked
- K. Greene struck out swinging
- M. Loretta grounded into double play shortstop to second to first, R. Fick out at second
Any word on Loretta’s health? In other words, is he 100% … or is there a chance he rushed back?
Well, L hit in yesterday’s game. Porbably ok. Give the guy a couple a weeks. My concern is P and K. They suck yest are making 9 and 8 mil. How can they live with themselves?
One last request for report on Hensley … anyone watching his MLB debut?
Hensley looked pretty poised. Stayed around the plate, mixed it up. His one walk to Piazza came after a good battle. It seems like he had a good sinker and curve/change, but he didn’t look overpowering. He didn’t throw too many cookies, except to Floyd, and he got away with them. He did not hit 90 on the TV gun.