first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Woody Williams (6-10, 5.14 ERA) vs Russ Ortiz (4-8, 6.95 ERA)
previews: ESPN | Padres.com
Padres averted a sweep at home by the Rockies Sunday afternoon. And a collective sigh of relief with news that Brian Giles suffered only a bruised right knee (article contains Monty Python reference) after colliding with Dave Roberts. Both players are considered “day-to-day,” with Roberts spraining his right thumb on the play.
Meantime, the Diamondbacks are in town and the showdown in the West begins. Sorry, let me try that again without laughing. Ah, never mind.
Two veteran pitchers having subpar years go at it Monday night. Both have had success against the other teams’ hitters, though:
| AB | BA | OBP | SLG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams vs current Diamondbacks | 214 | .234 | .302 | .416 |
| Ortiz vs current Padres | 176 | .239 | .348 | .352 |
For Arizona, Shawn Green (.371/.405/.600 in 35 AB), Quinton “Scottish Therapist” McCracken (.308/.400/.769 in 13 AB), and Royce Clayton (.385/.429/.615 in 13 AB) have had the most success. Williams has pretty well neutralized the two batters he’s faced most, Luis Gonzalez (.171/.261/.293 in 41 AB) and Craig Counsell (.139/.184/.250 in 36 AB).
On the other side, it’s been Brian Giles (.389/.577/.444 in 18 AB) and Mark Loretta (.400/.455/.700 in 10 AB). It’ll be interesting to see who gets the start in center tonight. Neither Dave Roberts (.160/.222/.240 in 25 AB) nor Eric Young (0-for-11, 4 walks) has done much against Ortiz.
Other Stuff
Some of these have been sitting on the shelf for a few days, but better late than never.
- Greene’s return nearing (Padres.com). Kevin mentioned this in comments over the weekend, but good news bears repeating. The Padres are targeting a September 1 return for shortstop Khalil Greene. “At this point, it feels virtually pain free in everything I do,” Greene said. “There’s a little stiffness here and there, but I think that’s natural.”
- Stretch run is at hand for NL West contenders (NC Times). Greene and outfielder Ben Johnson look to rejoin the club Wednesday. Right-hander Andy Ashby is expected to be activated when rosters expand on Thursday.
- Johnson playing way into likely job in outfield at Petco (U-T). Speaking of Johnson, he’s mentioned as a candidate for the left field job next year if Ryan Klesko moves back to first base. Also, there is talk that right-hander Cesar Carrillo could make the big-league rotation out of spring training next year.
- Catcher Miguel Olivo tries to live up to his potential with the Padres (NC Times). John Maffei profiles the Pads’ new backstop. Quoth manager Bruce Bochy: “I always liked him when he was with the White Sox. He’s playing like we thought he could. He plays with energy. he has some pop in his bat, and he’s a good receiver.”
- Ross sent down, but spirits up (U-T). The other new catcher is now the other old catcher.
- 2005 MLB Standings Since All-Star Break (via Baseball Musings).
- Padres prospect mailbag: Conniff edition (Scout.com). John Conniff looks at Chris Kolkhorst, Daryl Jones, and Matt Lauderdale.
- Hank recaps Sunday’s games in the Pads farm system. Jonathan provides more details of the Beavers’ victory behind Chris Oxpsring.
- Congrats to the kids from Ewa Beach and Rancho Buena Vista for winning and finishing third, respectively, in the Little League World Series. Primer thread on Ewa Beach’s victory.
That’s all for now. Time to take care of business. Go Padres!
69 Comments
Just a note (I love Scully calling game):
Astros-Dodgers
The Astros’ team bus arrived at Dodger Stadium about two hours before gametime — just as Dodgers Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully was testing out the public address microphone for the pregame ceremony he would emcee commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ only World Series championship team. “One-two-three-four,” Scully’s inimitable voice echoed through the loud speakers. “Welcome to the Houston Astros, walking down the steps to the dugout, perhaps on their way to a wild-card championship. Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell have been here for 15 minutes. What is your excuse for arriving so late?”
GO Padres!
Any chance Kottaras will get a September callup?
The good news: The Padres won on getaway day.
The bad news: They lost the first two games of the series.
I believe they call that a Pyrrhic victory.
Probably no callup for Kottaras. Ross will probably come back from Portland and Kottaras and Barfield are slotted for the Arizona fall league. For this reason, I dont think Barfield will recieve a callup either. McAnulty and Johnson(might be here in time for playoff roster). I am sure they would like to add a couple to that but the problem is the bullpen has too many guys performing great to drop one off the roster. I am sorry but I dont agree with that. Sure its a tough decision but we are going to need some offensive help and right now we have 13 pitchers. I think we need to add two bats and those are the two that I would add.
I agree with Hank about Kottaras. I doubt that he’ll get called up, and even if he does, he won’t get any meaningful PT. In addition to the guys Hank mentions, there is also talk that Freddy Guzman may make an appearance again as a pinch runner this September.
Great piece on Ben Johnson in the U-T. He’s had just an outstanding year in Portland.
One minor quibble though. Anyone who says he can play center is legally correct. Just like Ryan Klesko “can” play center. But I assure you, if you’ve seen Ben play center, you don’t think he should play center. He’s an excellent athlete, has all the physical gifts you’d want in a player, but he’s not a centerfielder.
Didi: Thanks for the Scully tidbit. Dodgers or no, the guy is just a master.
Brian: Yes, and no. A truly Pyrrhic victory would have entailed DL time for Giles after the collision. We need to be thankful for little things with this team. Very little things.
Jonathan: When I saw Johnson at Elsinore he played right field exclusively. He looked like he had the wheels to handle center but was built more like a corner guy. I love the comp to Brian Jordan. Maybe not quite as athletic (that whole NFL thing, you know).
Tonight: after a disatrous top of the first, Cleveland finds itself down 5-0 against a pretty decent pitcher (Bonderman). My team would throw in the towel and call it a night. The Indians? They score 6 in the bottom of the first! Man, I’m becoming an Indians fan. That team is hot!
Disatrous? Disastrous? Next time, I’ll stick with “really, really bad.”
The question is can any of these call up dudes help the damned offense? Maybe, maybe not. Are any able to make the team next Spring.
Hell, can any of them hit!?
Wouldn’t it be fun to see Klesko sit for Howard with a hot bat?
Meanwhile, over in Iraq….
Geoff – Would you say it could have been Pyrrhicker? ;>)
In case you missed my mention yesterday — Alejandro Escovedo was phenomenal. Best show I’ve seen in years.
Off to SBC tonight to watch top Giants pitching prospect, 20 year old Matt Cain (most Ks in all of minor league baseball), make the first start in his career. He faces the Rockies.
OT: I check’d out this BA article about the upcoming World Cup … http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/050829worldcup.html … it mentions 2 current Padre farm hands (Jared Wells, and Mobile’s backup catcher Luke Carlin) … and former Padre JJ Trujillo … I’d been wondering about “the other JJ” … the article indicates he’s with an independant team … but must be doing something right!
Mike: Johnson, Knott, and McAnulty all can hit right now. Barfield might not right away but as he’s shown, once he makes the adjustment at a given level, he does just fine.
Brian: I did catch that about Escovedo. Very cool. Also, let us know how Cain looks. The more information we can find about the enemy…
Geoff:
Johnson played mostly RF here in PDX too. But they had a stretch where he played CF – and he didn’t look too comfortable out there. He’s athletically gifted enough to play the position, but I don’t think he should be logging any innings there right now for a team trying to make the playoffs.
I also love the Brian Jordan comparison – especially physically. Johnson is built like a Mack truck – I could see him taking off some WR’s head. Good thing he hits more like Brian Jordan and not Vince Faison – another guy built like Brian Jordan.
LM – Count me as a JJ Trujillo fan. I loved that guy in Portland – and he’s a class guy. Good to hear that he’s doing well.
Well, a win tonight would mean a 6.5 game lead over the AZ, so it would be nice. Maybe we’ll get to 500 by seasons end.
Its so frustrating, being 5.5 up is supposed to be fun. Remember 98, we clinched in the middle of Sept.
With this team, you don’t know who is going show, Jeckle or Hyde…not sure which one hits better.
Anyway, cranky before the game begins, cause I’m sitting here detrashng the bills and anything to do with bills make-a-me cranky.
BTW, humor an old man….what is Escovedo…some new rock band?
PM: I hear ya on the bills front. As for Escovedo, he’s been around a while. Here’s some info:
http://www.musicaustin.com/rock/aescovedo.html
Speaking of Ben Johnson, he’s up and in the lineup tonight. Replaces Pedro Astacio, who was placed on the DL with a strained right quad:
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?ID=134963
Well, looks like I’m on Gameday because the wife, from NYC, is hooked on Annie Hall, funny flick if your my age.
Good work Wood, now lets see if the boys have some hits in em tonight or else Wood will have to pitch a nono tonight.
But I’m not bitter. Just old.
Do you think Ben Johnson is on steroids?
What is the status of Giles?
Annie Hall is a great movie. The scene with the lobsters gets me everytime.
We should be able to get to Ortiz. Those first two outs were hit pretty hard, and Randa made him throw 11 pitches for the third.
Giles is listed as day-to-day. No word on when he’ll be back in the lineup.
Anybody listening to the Storm tonight? Khalil is supposed to get in some rehab. I may tune in.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Vin Scully should call every baseball game.
We’re all day to day.
Freakin’ Glaus.
Thats so true Kevin.
How would a guy go about getting to Dodger stadium from the LA or the SD airport(southwest airlines) on the weekend of 9-10-11 sep 05? Reason I ask is: If there was a way, I might take that flight from Phoenix back just for one or two games but I dont have a lot of money for cabs or stuff..Help anyone?
Just tuned in to the Storm game, and Ciriaco is at shortstop tonight, so I don’t know what’s up with Khalil. On another Elsinore note, Jared Wells has been named the Cal League Pitcher of the Year:
http://www.californialeague.com/news.html
Nice going.
TV guys are saying that Giles tried to talk his way into the lineup tonight but Bochy wasn’t biting.
Woody just got arrested in LA. But he’s back with what’s her name.
Wood just gave up a dinger to Troy. Who names thier kid troy, Professor of Greek?
Hmmmm, isn’t looking good so far, but I’ll keep my mouth shut just to say Russ “Kofax” Ortiz has six up six down.
Sign that man.
Hank, here are directions to Dodger Stadium:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/la/ballpark/la_ballpark_directions.jsp
Are you coming to SD at all?
It worked out well for Troy McClure.
And Troy Johnson.
Who is that?
Michael Johnson has a homer tonight for the Storm. Disclaimer: The game is at High Desert.
Oh, you can call me Troy?
Troy Johnson is the host of Outta Left Field, TV show on before home games. He pops in here every so often and will poke you in the eyes if you’re not careful.
Actually, Peter Friberg from San Diego Spotlight was supposed to be on the show tonight. Anyone catch that?
Who was the guy who said you can call me Troy, or you can call me Roy, or you can call me … ?
due to family restrictions, the only possibility to view a game would be for me to fly back to either san diego (and drive up) or fly into la and maybe take a bus to the stadium. I have not been to la in over 30 years, and the thought of trying to make it to the stadium without having done it before, leaves me a little apprehensive.
southwest airlines is cheap enough from Phoenix but I have only that small window of opportunity..the weekend series at the dodgers.
Peter did a nice job on OLF tonight.
In my 20’s and 30’s navigating the lax was not a problem at all, but in my 60’s? Well let me just say that my maximum sustained walk would be about 2 miles and you can walk 2 miles and never even leave the airport in la.
I would rather fly into SD and drive up and I would feel a lot more confident. Know what I mean?
So I guess technically that’s an inside-the-park homer?
How come when I say we should worry about the dbacks pitching I get shouted down by nay sayers who claim that the dbacks dont have any pitching and about how strong the Padres pitching is.
It sure doesnt look that way tonight..
Other than Jake, who we got thats better than the dbacks staff?
Vasquez, Webb, Halsey, Ortiz, Valdez…
Ruling is homer on the bat. That was weird. Third base umpire initially ruled it in play. Either way, it’s a run for the Snakes.
anyone know if there are any buses that would be going up to dodger stadium for that series?
seems like no one is driving up for that one..
nm, I will figure it out…
been in Hawaii too long.
I forget about the way it is over there.
Hank, you may be onto something…
Padres starters: 4.59 ERA
Top 5:
1. Peavy 2.97
2. Eaton 3.53
3. Lawrence 4.61
4. Williams 5.14
5. Stauffer 5.40
D’backs starters: 4.54 ERA
Top 5:
1. Webb 3.73
2. Halsey 4.44
3. Estes 4.56
4. Vazquez 4.59
5. Ortiz 6.95
We’ve been stronger at the front and back, they’ve been better in the middle. Also, the Pads have run 10 different guys out there this year; Arizona has only used 7 starters.
Apparently they’re *still* debating whether Stinnett’s homer left the yard or was an inside-the-park job.
Well, Stauffer is not currently in the rotation. And if you check Astacio “starting” numbers just for the Padres, they are very good.
Yeah, I was going with the 5 guys who have pitched the most innings. Also, Astacio is now on the DL. And apparently Peavy injured his non-pitching hand while taking out the trash. He’ll still make his start tomorrow.
Damn, I didn’t know about Astacio.
Geez, this is ridiculous. Bases loaded, one out. Sweeney hits a shot to Clayton, who short hops the ball. Runners freeze, thinking he’s caught it. Clayton throws home, Stinnett throws to third for the good ol’ 6-2-5 DP. Can’t fault the runners. That was just another great play by Clayton. Damn.
We need to get into their bullpen. Now.
well, again its ugly ball. But I don’t care, I’ve got Luciano Pavarotti singing Nessum Dorma!
What a cresendo! Magnificant!
This should be the new game in Ducksnort IGD:
What are you doing that is more fun then watching Padre ugly ball?
Now I’m on to Thousands are Sailing by the Pogues, great band! Going through the MP3 collection.
Soon I’ll be doing the dishes! Hurray.
I’m having a root canal. That’s better than listening to Mark Grace.
I’m flipping back and forth between “Antique Road Show” and “Sam the Cooking Guy.”
Did you see Klesko cooking? That swing was so beautifully violent that Tarantino directed it.
Maybe I ought to try that, Kevin. I sure could use the laughing gas.
Anything has to be better then getting spanked by the AZ including two errors.
Lets see, there is cleaning the dog doo in the backyard…in the dark!
Guess I better get to those dishes. My wife keeps eye-balling me.
Goff, you are a better man then I if you can continue to blog on the Dogres.
Sam made a peach cobbler on his show tonight:
http://www.thecookingguy.com/cookbook/recipe.php?id=232
Yum…
well check these second half numbers:
Peavy 2.64, Astacio 3.82, Lawrence 5.68, Williams 6.95, Park 7.03, Stauffer 8.62 and Eaton 9.00
dbacks:
Vargas 3.77, Webb 4.05, Vasquez 4.69, Halsey 4.86, Gosling 4.34, Ortiz 13.50
and here we are getting our butts kicked by their worst starter
It’s 6-3 now. I don’t know if that’s a butt-kicking.
Diamondbacks bullpen has a 6.18 ERA this year.
Nice catch by Johnson going into the visitors bullpen.
That was sweet.
Dishes are done and so are the Padres.
I guess its down to 4.5 games. God the sooner, somebody catches us the better, put us out of our misery.
Now watch, the Worsters will take the next to and tease us all again.
That’s it for me, gotta clean the rest of the toilets in the house, for the third time tonight.
Their bullpen is making this interesting.
Giles pinch-hitting. Represents the tying run. C’mon, guys; we need this one.
Glaus can’t find the pop foul. New life for Giles.
Dammit, Giles almost put that onto the porch. EY pinch hitting. Olivo at third, one out.
Okay, the Snakes came away with the win, but that bullpen is terrible. We are going to get to them before this series is over. And I’m still more concerned about the Dodgers than the Diamondbacks.
So close, so close. Giles just missed hitting that pitch out.
Damn.