first pitch: 12:35 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Clay Hensley (3-3, 3.90 ERA) vs Jeff Francis (3-4, 3.86 ERA)
If you ever need a reminder of what makes Kevin Towers a solid GM, his acquisition of Clay Hensley for Matt Herges in 2003 isn’t a bad place to look. Herges was a useful enough part, but Hensley could be a strong member of the Padres’ supporting cast for years to come.
Like Tuesday night’s starter, Chris Young, Hensley has been much better away from Petco Park (2.57 ERA, .173/.241/.306) this year than at home (5.27 ERA, .276/.353/.429). As with Young, I’m at a loss to explain this discrepancy.
Good work, Scott Cassidy! Now, more runs please!
How much longer can Bochy’s infatuation with Castilla last? Even when Klesko could barely raise his arm, he was getting on base. A trip to the 15 day DL may be just what Castilla needs.
Another one pitch out by Vinny Castilla. This is ridiculous. Send him down, bench him, cut him. Just don’t let him bat.
Pathetic.
Why is EY still in the game? Did anybody watch that double? Would Doc have gotten to it for an out?
Come on, Bochy. Doc for EY.
Argh. Lead off walk to Helton.
Come on, Scotty.
Come on. A GiDP, Scotty.
EY can be a good tool when used right. Bochy’s treating him like an everyday player.
No wonder Towers sent Johnson down. BJ would be beating his head against a locker.
Whew. Dodge another bullet there.
Good job, Scotty.
Bochy and his love for veteran older player is clouding his judgement for what is good for the team.
Ben Johnson should be playing against ML pitching to get better and get comfortable fielding in Petco Park and other ML ballparks, learning secrets from other veterans like EY, Castilla, Giles, Piazza.
EY with a 2-pitch pop out at first. The Padres gave away outs like candies during Halloween.
Wow, Giles swinging K.
Piazza with a 2-pitch out as well.
After Cameron walked, Giles K’d, and Piazza flied out.
Trevor Time.
Why would a pick-off attempt be counted as a pitch?
Bong, bong.
We missed Kevin around here for the Trevor Time calls.
Interestingly, the Rockies didn’t pinch hit with a LHB against Trevor.
Game over. Good job by Clay and the bullpen.
Nice win, Padres!
Here’s a topic for some post-game conversation … what are your “Top 10 Feats by a Padres Player”?
The reason I throw this out is that I just finished research & write-up for #80 on the Friar Faithful Top 100 list … and he did something that’s *easily* on my list of “Top 10 Feats by a Padres Player” … and yet I didn’t remember it all! I’m interested to see if any of you come up with it …
Here’s other feats that are on my list …
– Nate Colbert’s 5 HRs in a DH
– Clay Kirby’s near no-no
– Kevin Brown’s 1998 stretch-drive and post-season
– Steve Garvey’s Game 4 in 1984 NLCS
– Randy Jones Cy Young season
– Ken Caminiti’s MVP Season
– Tony Gwynn’s career
– Ozzie’s barehanded play
– Kurt Bevaqua’s WS HR
What else?
Good news:
The Padres purchased the contract of RHP Brian Sikorski from Triple-A Portland and designated right-hander Jim Brower for assignment.
LM
What about Trevor’s 1998 season? 1.48 ERA with 53 SV and 86K . . While we’re on 1998:
Vaughn’s 50 HR
This may be part of the Kevin Brown thing, but what about that playoff game against the Astros? 17k . . totally sweet.
And this is not really a “feat” more like a moment:
How about Chris Gwynn’s PH double off of Chan Ho in 1996 which sealed the NL West?
BTW — Nevin was just traded to the Cubs.
Excellent news, Didi.
I was waiting for that to happen.
NG – good ones!
Yes, there are several classes of “feats” … single plays … single games … DHs … streaks … seasons … careers …
The one I’m thinking of is a single game … but when I started making my list, I had to start with Colbert’s 5 HRs in DH … so that’s why I decided to just lump them into generic “feat”s …
Another of my favorite feats was Mike Ivie getting 5 doubles in DH at Candlestick Park … probably on my list more because I was there than for any other reason
Similarly, I remember seeing Dave Winfield hit a Grand Slam batting cleanup in the first inning in a game vs Giants @ Candlestick … that was fun, too!
Sikorski had a 3.14 ERA and a 44/7 K/BB ratio in 28 2/3 innings as a reliever for Portland … welcome to the big leagues, Brian!
The best part about Chris Gwynn’s double was that he’d been having good at-bats all year with almost nothing to show for it, like Hansen a couple of years back. You know people were screaming at the TV for Bochy to use someone, anyone, else.
Finley’s HR against FRod early in 1998 felt important. Brown’s start against the Braves in the playoffs, he was such a stud on both sides. 11 strikeouts, 3 hits, and he got 2 hits and scored a run himself.
Most memorable for me would have to be the NL Championship in 84. Getting down 0-2 to the Cubs and then the trememdous elation of coming back to win the series. From the outhouse to the penthouse after all those previous years of frustration.
Yep, that would have to be it for me.
hank – tell me/us the “feat” that you remember as key to that 84 NLCS … I’m looking for player names … along the lines of the “Top 100 Padres” list …
One of the definitions of “feat” says “an act or product of skill, endurance, or ingenuity” … yes, that describes Nate Colbert hitting 5 HRs in a double-header … Randy Jones with 25 Complete Games in 1976 … Wynne + Kruk + Gwynn with back-to-back-to-back HRs to lead off a game … Kevin Brown’s 16 K’s vs Astros in 98 NLDS …
Yikes, this note from the AP game story …
Bochy said the Padres will decide Thursday whether ace Jake Peavy will skip his scheduled start in Pittsburgh on Saturday to let his shoulder tendinitis settle down.
… talk about “Red Alert”!!!
Ben Johnson with HR #4 @ Portland … http://tinyurl.com/rrbuf
News on some former Padres …
Nady had emergency appendectomy surgery on Tuesday and will be sidelined for approximately four weeks.
The Reds recalled Justin Germano on Tuesday from Triple-A Louisville.
Man, there were a lot of “heros” in that series. From defensive plays, to clutch pitching, to a sac bunt to set up the tieing run in a “cant lose” situation. This was a TEAM thing and it was wonderful. It seemed as if they were determined not to lose. It was just a team experience. I could single out a few key plays, but without the other plays, those would be meaningless.
I’d sorta noticed Morton missing from Storm box scores … here’s why …
Padres catcher Colt Morton came off the disabled list at high Class A Lake Elsinore. Morton, a third-round pick in 2003 out of North Carolina State, had been sidelined with a groin injury since May 3. Morton was hitting .242/.384/.407 with a pair of home runs in 91 at-bats before the injury.
Another “feat”, Andy Ashby’s 75 pitch complete game. I was there; it was a thing of beauty.
TF: oh, what a pitching performance that was. That was a fun game to be at. Thanks for bringing that one up.
How’s about Clay Hensley pitching a very nice game, AFTER being hit in the head with a flying piece of a broken bat?
If Ozzie’s barehand play makes it, how about Greene’s spectacular game in the throwback unis? He made three great plays, at least, in that single game.
Peavy outdueling Clemens last year was another great one.
Not sure if any of these would be Top 10, but just thought I’d throw them out there.
Yeah Tom,
Finley’s GW salami was the greatest regular season moment I have personally witnessed. That was the moment I think I really began to say, “this team has “it”".
TF
I was going to bring that Ashby game up, too. It doesn’t get much better than that if you’re a baseball fan.
That Finley GS was wonderful. I agree with you Jesse — it defined the 98 season very early on. They were like a machine that year.
The game 1 WS loss that year was devastating to me — after Tony hit his upper deck HR, I thought for sure they were going to win the game. Tino Martinez ripped my heart out and stomped on it. OK, I’m getting sick just thinking about this . . .