IGD: Padres @ Rockies (17 Apr 06)

first pitch: 5:35 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Chris Young (1-0, 3.18 ERA) vs Jeff Francis (0-1, 7.20 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN.com

The Padres open a three-game series at Coors Field Monday afternoon in the last stop on their current road trip. After avoiding the sweep in Atlanta thanks to some late-inning heroics Sunday, the Friars look to Chris “More Cowbell” Young to keep the momentum going.

This will be Young’s first start in Denver, which has been a wrecking ground for many pitchers. However, Young is no stranger to extremely favorable hitting environments, having called Arlington home for his first two big-league seasons.

Also, and I’m not sure if the media has picked up on this yet, Young is 6’10″. I don’t know what bearing that has on anything, but I hear it constantly so I’ll assume it’s important.

The Pads still are struggling a bit on offense. Adrian Gonzalez, Brian Giles, and Dave Roberts are about the only guys hitting right now. Khalil Greene has cooled off after a fast start, although he’s still working deep into counts and putting good wood on the ball. On defense, the Padres are playing more “Things That Go Bump in the Outfield” than I’d like to see — Roberts, Greene, and Terrmel Sledge really need to sit down and have a good chat over tea and scones.

You’re welcome for that visual.

On the bright side, the pitching is starting to come around, and I’m actually feeling a little optimistic about the bullpen for the first time in a long time. Scott Cassidy has done well since his recall from Portland, and Alan Embree — occasional lapses in control notwithstanding — is looking solid in the early going.

So, sit back, relax, and watch the pelotas fly. If you can’t have baseball, you can have the next best thing — games at Coors Field. Go Padres!

17 Responses »

  1. What’s your over/under for runs scored in tonights ball game? I think the typical/average is 8 … @ Coors with Young vs Francis? How about a starting bid of 13?

  2. remember Sunday Philly beat Colorado 1-0

  3. how bout the Padres score 2 in the first and then get shut out the rest of the way while the rocks score 10.

  4. Catcher must bat 4th. There is to be no deviation. Catcher must bat 4th.

  5. Nady watch: 3-3 with an HR now hitting .409

  6. barfield homers and gets plunked his next ab? pretty standard fare for a rookie. wonder why the Padres dont pitch inside?

  7. there is the offense!!!

    chris young is the new secret weapon..

  8. Three errors for the rocks, two for the thirdbasemen, they want to lose to use. Good to see the young kids playing hard ball.

    Piazza looks stiff at the plate, like if the ball isn’t exactly in the right location, he can’t wack it.

  9. Pitching details thru 7 full …

    Pitches-strikes – C Young 108-75; J Francis 110-62; R Ramirez 12-7.

    Ground balls-fly balls – C Young 8-9; J Francis 7-4; R Ramirez 0-1.

    Batters faced – C Young 28; J Francis 28; R Ramirez 3.

    … + 2 wild pitches for C Young … otherwise, nice outing so far! At 108 pitches, I’d say it’s time to turn it over to the bully …

  10. Damn, kids are done with their homework. That means they get the TV in the Den, and the wife is on LandO in the livingroom. So I’m relgated to the garage and the radio. Of course, that’s were the frig full o beer is too.

  11. Wonder if Bochy would even consider leaving Linebrink in to pitch the 9th?

  12. dont even go there…

  13. Anyone watching this game? How “deep center” was Hawpe’s fly-out to start the bottom o’ 9th?

  14. Hoffy with Save #1! Bank it!

  15. Cubs rallying in top o’ 5th … up 3-0 on Dogs …

  16. thats save nr 2 for hoffy(on the season)

    CY is starting to look like the real deal…another good outing,

    Barfield doing the job and even Big Ben got it going tonight.

  17. hank – thanks … guess i missed YESTERDAY!!!