first pitch: 4:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD, ESPN2
matchup: Jake Peavy (13-7, 2.88 ERA) vs Jason Schmidt (12-7, 4.40 ERA)
preview: Padres.com
The national story is about Barry Bonds and his various issues. For me, he’s still an opponent and the Padres need to concern themselves with not letting him beat them. One thing I would like to see Padres pitchers do is work him inside. Specifically, I’d like to see them make Bonds move his feet a little. Seems to me that’d be a good approach against a guy with a bum knee.
As for the rest of the Giants, the other player they are most dependent upon is Schmidt, who was hurt in 2005 and who posted subpar (for him) numbers. If this team is going to have any chance to succeed in 2006, they absolutely need Schmidt to return to 2003-04 form.
For the Padres, new center fielder Mike Cameron joins first baseman Ryan Klesko on the disabled list to start the season. This has caused a little shuffling of the roster and lineup, most notably Dave Roberts moving back to center. On the bright side, the Friars will be raising their 2005 NL West Division Championship flag before the game, and local football hero Reggie Bush will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Baseball is back! If you can’t make it down to the park this evening, feel free to hang out here and chat. I’ll have photos up after the game.
A guy gives up back-to-back hits, do you have your #5 hitter bunt?
Giles took out Feliz…
Greene is having a pretty nice day.
6-1 Friars.
oh shutup joe morgan.. I like thrown saringes on the field. especially to Bonds, something ironic about it all.
Damn Dave Roberts.
Ryguy, are you familiar with http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/
Pads win..
Very much so, Richard. but still, there’s something tastefully ironic about a thrown saringe on the field. ..
and also: Jon Miller said the same thing but these guys are like the Giants announcing duo so you couldn’t tell their heavy bias on national tv.
Good win, this is an opening day where I think we got all that we wanted.
And also, Adrian Gonzalez looked great but please,please don’t ask him to bunt again.
Watching A-Gon try to bunt was ugly.
LM: I told you he was dominating. You don’t have to throw a no-no or a shutout to dominate.
Linebrink with the hold … it’s killin’ me
Pat – AMEN!
Final pitching details …
Pitches-strikes – J Schmidt 109-70; J Taschner 11-8; J Accardo 18-11; J Peavy 96-62; S Linebrink 8-6; C Hensley 11-7.
Ground balls-fly balls – J Schmidt 5-14; J Taschner 1-0; J Accardo 0-1; J Peavy 5-11; S Linebrink 0-3; C Hensley 3-0.
… so, Linebrink with 3 fly balls … Hensley with 3 ground balls … what’s it all mean?
I like Peavy’s pitch count … nice!
Well Peavy finished really strong with striking out the side in the 7th. He had great movement on all of his pitches today.
Here’s some news (and their opinion) I just read over at rotoworld.com …
Padres claimed catcher Rob Bowen off waivers from the Tigers.
From Minnesota to Detroit to San Diego in less than a week. The Padres will likely go to 11 pitchers for the short-term to make room for Bowen, who is a future backup at best. It’s really all they need with both Woody Williams and Chan Ho Park in the pen. Either Scott Cassidy or Brian Sweeney figures to be demoted. When Ryan Klesko or Mike Cameron is activated later this month, the Padres will likely become the latest team to make an attempt to get Bowen through waivers
Finally, an NCAA tourny game that makes some sense … but it was still a 3-seed beating a 2-seed