first pitch: 4:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Brian Lawrence (6-12, 4.80 ERA) vs Jason Vargas (3-0, 2.38 ERA)
preview: ESPN | Padres.com
If the Marlins played in the NL West, they would be 3 games ahead of the Padres. In terms of wins and losses, the gap between the Fish and the Friars is the same as that between the Friars and the D’backs.
The Padres will be without the services of Khalil Greene for the next few weeks. Greene broke his toe in Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Phillies. Wilson Valdez has been recalled from Portland to take Greene’s spot on the roster. Valdez doesn’t hit much, doesn’t walk much, doesn’t have any power. Presumably he’s a good defender. Damian Jackson will get most of the starts at shortstop in Greene’s absence.
For the lowdown on the Marlins, check out episode 2 of Ducksnorts Radio. For good convo, hang out and start yappin’.
Go Pads!
Links
- August Update: BA Top 10 Padre Prospects (San Diego Spotlight). Peter Friberg revisits Baseball America‘s Top 10 Padres prospects, including the departed Travis Chick and Justin Germano, and the red hot Josh Barfield.
- Padres reliever gives up go-ahead runs in ninth inning (NC Times). It would be interesting to see Trevor Hoffman‘s splits in save vs non-save situations this year. Anybody have those?
- Hensley learns to slow down (NC Times). Brian Hiro spotlights rookie pitcher Clay Hensley, who credits Portland Beavers pitching coach Gary Lance for adjusting his mechanics to create more movement on his pitches. I’d still like to see him get a shot at the rotation, but I’m happy he’s contributing.
- Sub-.500 club retains favored role (U-T). I just have to give Tom Krasovic props for citing Baseball Prospectus.
- BayBears’ bats batter Biscuits (Mobile Register). First off, great headline. Second, Padres’ first-round pick Cesar Carrillo gave up one run on three hits over seven innings, striking out eight at home against Birmingham. Double-A isn’t proving to be much of a challenge for Carrillo: 24.2 IP, 19 H, 7 BB, 27 SO, 2.92 ERA in four starts.
- Chris Oxspring named Pitcher of the week in PCL (Scout.com). Oxspring is 28 years old but he knows how to pitch. Another guy I wouldn’t mind see getting a shot at some point down the stretch.
AZ losing, LA just went ahead.
That’s 424, Richard. But the save is just a bgus stat anyway, right?
Actually, the save is only SORT OF bogus. The fact is that if you find yourself in position to accumulate 424 of them, someone in charge thought you were very good, and for a very long time. And they were probably right.
Dodgers scored 3 in the 9th to win.
Wilson Valdez failed to finish the Portland Beavers’ Triple-A game against Colorado Springs on Sunday for good reason. The 27-year-old shortstop was removed in the third inning after getting the call from the Padres to join the team for the series opener against Florida. “It was a total surprise, but obviously I was very happy,” Valdez said. “I am coming here to learn and give my best effort.” Manager Bruce Bochy didn’t waste time using Valdez in the lineup, making him the starter against the Marlins. Valdez, who hit .233 in the 19 games with the Chicago White Sox last season, was called up after regular Khalil Greene went on the disabled list after suffering a non-displaced fracture of his left toe in Sunday’s game against Philadelphia. … The Padres’ 58-59 record before Tuesday’s game is the latest in a season in which a team has led a division with a sub. 500 record. The Texas Rangers led the American League West with a 52-62 record in the strike-abbreviated 1994 season.
“That’s 424, Richard. But the save is just a bgus stat anyway, right?
Actually, the save is only SORT OF bogus. The fact is that if you find yourself in position to accumulate 424 of them, someone in charge thought you were very good, and for a very long time. And they were probably right.”
Right on both accounts assuming the word you meant was “bogus.” It’s a dumb stat in a lot of ways, but I still have an affinity for it.