first pitch: 4:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Pedro Astacio (2-10, 6.06 ERA) vs Livan Hernandez (13-4, 3.27 ERA)
preview: Padres.com
Did you notice Adam Eaton doing his Astacio impression in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game? Maybe Eaton figures that’s his best shot at getting back into the rotation.
As for today, I’m trying to figure out whether Astacio vs Hernandez is more of a mismatch than Darrell May vs Johan Santana. It’s a tough call. Santana can completely shut down a team, so I guess I’d go with that one. But Hernandez just keeps rolling.
How did the Pads end up with Astacio in their rotation, anyway? And how come it’s okay for Eaton to learn how to work out of the bullpen on the fly but not for Xavier Nady to play third base? And how come I can’t stop thinking about these things?
Three games with the Nats. Should be fun. Check out the other side of the story over at Oleanders and Morning Glories, Harper Gordek’s excellent blog on all things Washington baseball. And be grateful the Pads don’t have to face John Patterson. 
Linkorama
- No catching help in Padres’ system (NC Times). This one’s a little old but still relevant. John Maffei looks at the Friars long-term catching situation, as well as other items of note from around the minors.
- Padres were Washington bound for ’74 (NC Times). Maffei comes up with another winner. From the article: “The Topps Company, the nation’s largest baseball card manufacturer, was so convinced the Padres were moving that Series 1 of the company’s 1974 set had Padres players listed as ‘Washington – Nat’l Lea.’”
- Early returns positive on trade for catcher Olivo (U-T). Well, he’s certainly contributing more than Miguel Ojeda was this year.
- Moneyball (Flynn Files). Among teams that rank 16-20 in payroll, the Padres are middle of the pack in terms of on-field success. How ’bout those Cleveland Indians.
- Circle the Wagons: Running the Bases Part II (Hardball Times). Interesting look at the effect of parks on baserunning tendencies. Also, I like any stat that rates Damian Jackson first over the past five years.
- Conversation with Paul McAnulty (PDX Beavers). Jonathan talks to the sweet-swinging lefty from Oxnard. On his approach at the plate: “Hit the ball hard. See it and hit it.” On playing pro baseball: “I get to play a game for a living. A lot of people lose sight of that. I mean this is just awesome.” Actually, the entire interview is awesome. McAnulty seems like he’s got a good head on his shoulders. And we know he can swing the lumber.
- Klesko sidelined by back (Padres.com). Lefty slugger expects to be back in the lineup in a few days. Also, Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon becomes the latest to “freak out” over Akinori Otsuka‘s delivery. Get over it already. Seriously, let it go.
- Turning Human Stress into Productivity, Baseball Style (Management by Baseball). I’m not even going to attempt to summarize this. I’ll just say that MBB is one of my favorite blogs, and I’m never disappointed in what Jeff Angus has to say. Read it.
- Prospect Retro: Roberto Petagine (Minor League Ball). John Sickels looks at former Padre Petagine, who after a six-year stint in Japan has resurfaced with the Red Sox. Petagine has a cult following, of the sort that, say, Tim Hyers was never able to cultivate. Good for Petagine.
- NL Worst (The Mirl). Friend of Ducksnorts and all-around solid dude Ed Barnes (you read the interview, didn’t you?) has posted an article detailing exactly how pitiful the NL West has become. Ed notes that poor play throughout the division dampened deadline deals and concludes that it’s up for grabs… assuming anyone wants it.
There you have it. Memo to Washington: Fear the Astacio!
Six runs is about a series’-worth for the Pads. Hopefully we can keep the offense going.
Nearly extra bases for Vidro. Crap.
No Kevin? That’s death and taxes by my count.
I don’t know what Guillen was swinging at there, but it looked like a high change. Taxes are being paid.
That might be the best play Sweeney has made all year.
Nice to take this one.
Hoffman.
Nats have lost 12 straight 1-run games after starting the season 24-8 in those contests.
That was a sweet, sweet victory.
Padres win! Padres win!
Damn Im smart…lol
I’m listening to Ted and Flan, so I didn’t see Sweeney give Bochy an excuse not to play Nady again this season. How good was the play?
Three-and-one on the road trip, with the bats coming alive. It’s starting to remind me of May, when it seemed like they were putting up 8-10 runs on a nightly basis.
I know why the Padres are making so many baserunning mistakes…
Its been two months since any of them had any practice at running bases..
Sweeney’s play was good, not great. Nady would have made it, Nevin might have. It was more about quick reflexes than lateral movement.
OF Brian Giles singled in the fifth inning, meaning he has reached base in 39 of his last 45 games. … OF Ryan Klesko was held out of the lineup for a third straight game with a strained back. He was listed as day to day and the team thinks he could miss all of the weekend series at Washington. … The Padres are the first team to lead a division this late in the season with a losing record since the Texas Rangers were atop the AL West at 52-62 on Aug. 11, 1994 — the day before the strike started.
dprat – thanks for the WC update … any local mention of “Eaton’s season is now in doubt”?
Burroughs 0-for-4 tonight @ Portland … avg now down to .250 … oh ya, he’s working on his swing … right …
Carillo ended up doing OK tonight for Mobile … 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 Ks … OK, 4 walks is a bit much … but he was able to limit damage and get the W … ASG = All Systems Go!
By the way, it may be that my previous posts weren’t as clear as they could have been, because I didn’t mention that I live in North Carolina.
Geoff, the reason Sweeney is getting so much PT is because he is the best hitter on the team right now, and he is also doing so much better than Nady against righties that it is worth playing him over Nady. I can’t figure out why Nady is not playing left with Klesko hurt; Young is doing a fine job lately, but he is more of a bench player and has hit more like one than Sweeney has. I have to assume Bochy is going with what he perceives to be the “hot hand”.