IGD: Padres @ Rockies (26 Aug 06)
Sat, Aug 26, 2006
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 5:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Clay Hensley (7-10, 4.07 ERA) vs Jason Jennings (7-10, 3.32 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
buy tickets
Bad news is, the Padres got spanked in the opener at Coors Field. Good news is, the Dodgers and Reds both lost, so the Friars remain a game back in the NL West and a game and a half back in the wild card races.
In unrelated news, I’m continuing to import all the old Ducksnorts stuff into the new site — it’s taking more time than I’d anticipated but we’re getting there, and it’s fun to reminisce. I converted three months (October - December 2002) this morning, and here are some posts I thought you might enjoy while we’re waiting for the game to start:
- Brock2 Projections for Eight Rising Stars. Some of the comps are interesting: Adam Dunn vs Brian Giles, Albert Pujols vs Manny Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano vs Jeff Kent.
- Running Commentary on Game 1 of the 2002 World Series. It’s weird to think how few baseball blogs there were back then that I would even attempt something like this. I was coding everything by hand when I wrote this one, so I must’ve hit the old FTP software pretty hard that night. Blogging tools have come a long way since then, but a part of me misses the days when you had to be a geek to have a web site.
- What Might the Padres’ 2003 Lineup Look Like? Wiki Gonzalez, Ramon Vazquez, Deivi Cruz, Eugene Kingsale. Anyone still wonder whether it’s better to be in the midst of a pennant chase or be stuck with truly lousy players?
- Frivolous Friday. Say hello to the blogging equivalent of prog rock. I swear I was sober when I wrote this. Man, I used to throw some weird stuff up here.
- Why the Rumored Nevin for Griffey Deal Made No Sense. Remember this? I like the ending, where I actually say something smart for a change: “I’d rather see them pursue Brian Giles, who is younger, cheaper, healthier, and more productive at this point in their respective careers than is Junior. Plus he’s from San Diego. What could be better?”
Ah, good times. Thanks for your indulgence. Go Padres!
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
August 26, 2006 at 12:15 pm
“…Part of me misses the days when you had to be a geek to have a web site.”
…or at least intelligent…
August 26, 2006 at 12:22 pm
“Bad news is, the Padres got spanked in the opener at Coors Field. Good news is, the Dodgers and Reds both lost…”
Furthermore…
To quote Bill Beane, “Baseball is a war of attrition, and what’s being attrite is pitchers’ arms.”
Padres pitchers used Friday night:
Brocail 1.0 IP
Williamson 1.1 IP
Sweeney 1.2 IP
Dodgers’ relief pitchers used Friday night:
Carrara 0.2 IP
Tomko 1.1 IP
Broxton 1.0 IP
Dessens 2.0 IP
Saito 1.0 0 IP
Sele 3.2 IP
Our ‘pen is still relatively fresh for the rest of our series, where the Dodgers’ has to be gassed.
August 26, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Good news … http://www.theonion.com/content/node/51807 … oh, wait, it’s a joke
August 26, 2006 at 1:17 pm
Stauffer with short/rough outing for Portland last night … http://tinyurl.com/ndjum
August 26, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Nice game write-up about the Portland Beavers’ game last night by DavidB at http://www.pdxbeavers.com/
August 26, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I was sending an email to a friend and mentioned Ducksnorts. I told him it was likely the best sports fan blog out there. None of the trash talking, venomous attacks you see on some. Instead, it was knowledgeable fans talking rationally about the good and bad of their team with an insightful debate. I figured that since I’d complimented the blog to someone else, I’d better pass on that compliment to all those contributors to Ducksnorts, especially GY. Thanks, everybody.
August 26, 2006 at 2:08 pm
LarMar … right back at ya, bud!
August 26, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Scoreboard watch: Gi’nts beat Reds … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260826126 … that’s a good thing!
August 26, 2006 at 4:21 pm
From last nights AP game story notes … Park is recovering well from Wednesday’s surgery to stop bleeding in his small intestine.
August 26, 2006 at 4:39 pm
The San Diego Padres optioned outfielder Ben Johnson to Triple-A Portland on Saturday to make room for recently acquired infielder Russell Branyan on the 25-man roster.
The Padres also placed pitcher Scott Williamson on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain and recalled right-hander Jon Adkins from Portland.
August 26, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Wow … I figure’d this’d be a tough decision … did *not* expect Branyan to replace Johnson … I read that Branyan can / has played OF … so the brass is saying they prefer a guy that gives them some defensive options (a la Eric Young) … Branyan has played mostly RF for TB this season … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6149/career … bleh … it’s not obvious to me …
August 26, 2006 at 5:03 pm
BTW, Todd Walker’s fpct is up to .848 now … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5700/career … perhaps this Branyan move is to make Walker’s defense look better / acceptable?
August 26, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Hmmm, in the story about transaction, it says that Branyan was acquired “for pitcher Evan Meek and a player to be named later or cash” … hmmm, I didn’t know about that 2nd part … fyi.
August 26, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Yes, that was in the original trade.
August 26, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Yowzer … game on! First 5 Padres reach … it’s 3-0 and nobody out in Top o’ 1st!
August 26, 2006 at 5:23 pm
… then zippo … with Josh doing the GIDP-thingy …
August 26, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Anybody out there watching? If so, what does this mean: ” K. Matsui singled to shortstop”?
August 26, 2006 at 5:29 pm
The race is on. We get the first 5 on. Rocks get the first 3 on. I hate Coors Field. Speaking of that, Mr. Coors pled guilty to his DUI today.
August 26, 2006 at 5:30 pm
infield hit, he beat it out.
August 26, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Manny went to his left, toward second, although slowly. He dove and stopped the ball, whirled to throw to first, and pulled Gonzalez off the bag. Infield single.
August 26, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Oh, yeah. As Mr. Coors says in his commercials: “Drink responsibly.”
August 26, 2006 at 5:39 pm
MLBtraderumors.com says what Buster Olney said
the following players cleared waivers
David Wells
Shawn Chacon
Jae Seo
Sidney Ponson
Bruce Chen
Jeromy Burnitz
Jeff Conine
Jay Payton
Bobby Kielty
Reggie Sanders
Luis Matos
Jay Gibbons
Geoff Jenkins
Gabe Kapler
link http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....index.html
August 26, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Pitching details after 1st …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 20-10; J Jennings 37-24.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 3-0; J Jennings 4-1.
Batters faced - C Hensley 5; J Jennings 10.
August 26, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Adrian fielding error … tell me about that?
August 26, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Thru 2 …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 32-21; J Jennings 37-24.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 4-0; J Jennings 4-1.
Batters faced - C Hensley 9; J Jennings 10.
August 26, 2006 at 5:54 pm
and just for people who have been watching;
the last time the Padres wore a jersey other than the alternate blue: Aug 16
the last time the Padres wore the road sand: July 29
what is the deal with that?
August 26, 2006 at 6:03 pm
The road sand jerseys SUH-huck, that’s what!
Much more in favor of the blue top on the road…
August 26, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I am shocked that they sent Johnson down.
August 26, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Why put on a hit and run with Manny f’n Alexander? Why put on a hit and run, period?
August 26, 2006 at 6:12 pm
I think ti’s okay to send Johnson down, he’s not going to get playing time and he might as well get more in AAA
August 26, 2006 at 6:13 pm
Thru 3 1/2 (fell asleep there) …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 47-30; J Jennings 65-39.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 6-1; J Jennings 7-2.
Batters faced - C Hensley 13; J Jennings 18.
… nice bottom of 3rd for Clay … Barfield makes up for GIDP with RBI single … 4-1 Padres …
August 26, 2006 at 6:13 pm
Get Blum back in there. Poor guy goes 4-4, then sits the next two games!
August 26, 2006 at 6:16 pm
They should have released Bellhorn.
August 26, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Hey, folks. Just got back from my walk. Nice to see an early lead. Surprised that Johnson was send down to make room for Branyan; then again, Johnson wasn’t getting much PT. I’m also okay with Alexander getting the start with a sinkerballer on the mound.
August 26, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Good point GY — didn’t think about that.
August 26, 2006 at 6:25 pm
After 4 full …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 63-36; J Jennings 65-39.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 9-1; J Jennings 7-2.
Batters faced - C Hensley 18; J Jennings 18.
… looks like Clay struggled thru bottom of 4th …
August 26, 2006 at 6:25 pm
yea I mean watching Geoff Blum play SS, he can’t make that long throw consistently.. as he showed sometimes when I saw him in New York.
August 26, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Let’s chase Jennings this inning! DR starts it off with a walk …
August 26, 2006 at 6:29 pm
There’s no reason to keep Bellhorn. When are all of these guys going to play?
I guess Branyan’s the first backup at 3B, 1B
Bellhorn now is solely behind Barfield
For now Blum is starting SS
Whatever. I guess I don’t care.
August 26, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Clarify: as long as they win, I don’t care.
August 26, 2006 at 6:31 pm
For now — the bases are full of Pads.
C’mon Bard!
August 26, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Mud has an issue with the strike zone. He thinks Jennings is getting calls on the outside corner that he shouldn’t be. I disagree.
August 26, 2006 at 6:37 pm
Hey, Ollie’s pitch’d for the Mets tonight … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260826121 … did OK … still had “control problems” (5 BBs) … he’ll get a W from 11 runs of support …
August 26, 2006 at 6:38 pm
Jennings already over 90 pitches . . .
August 26, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Big AB for Barfield here … bases loaded 2 out …
August 26, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Damn. Holliday robs Barfield of a three-run double.
August 26, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Seem’d like a nice AB for Cameron to work the walk … could/should he have been more agressive with the 2 strikes he got?
August 26, 2006 at 6:42 pm
Jennings now at 99 pitches … thru 5 IP for him … wow, he’s issued 7 walks …
August 26, 2006 at 6:43 pm
I’d forgotten that Josh Bard was drafted by the Rockies. He was their #23 prospect according to BA in 2001. John Sickels gave him a C+ grade in his 2001 book.
FWIW, Rob Bowen was #7 for the Twins according to BA in 2001 (A. J. Pierzynski was #18; both got a C+ from Sickels).
August 26, 2006 at 6:44 pm
Jennings is all over the place. He can thank Matt Holliday for keeping him in this game. I thought Barfield had a grand slam or at least a double.
August 26, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Last inning for Clay? He’s due up 2nd in 6th … guess we don’t *need* to use a PH’er … eh, I’m getting ahead, aren’t I …
August 26, 2006 at 6:46 pm
Dogs go down 1-2-3 in top of 1st vs D-backs …
August 26, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Damn, Barfield has gotten quick on that turn. Nice DP to get Hensley out of the inning.
August 26, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Isn’t that just typical … the guy that makes the great play with the glove comes up and hits into the GIDP … oh wait, it’s s’pose’d to be the other way around???
August 26, 2006 at 6:53 pm
Jennings has been relieved … Clay’s at 79 …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 79-47; J Jennings 99-53.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 11-2; J Jennings 9-3.
Batters faced - C Hensley 22; J Jennings 25.
… let him hit? I s’pose so … after Sept 1st, with McAnulty / Cust / Sledge / Johnson on the bench, I’d expect a PH’er here for sure! (and for MannyA also!)
August 26, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Did Clay almost get ahold of one? …
C. Hensley flied out to deep right
… almost make Peavy proud?
August 26, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Clay had a nice at-bat. He took Hawpe to the warning track.
August 26, 2006 at 6:57 pm
The numbers don’t bear it out, but Hensley actually has a clue at the plate.
August 26, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Small sample size
August 26, 2006 at 7:00 pm
I hate when you let a pitcher hit late in the game … then he starts off the next inning with a walk …
August 26, 2006 at 7:00 pm
With 79 pitches, I don’t see a problem with Hensley pitching the 8th, with a four-run lead.
August 26, 2006 at 7:01 pm
That’s a pretty play by Alexander. Yeah, I’m real comfortable having him behind Hensley.
August 26, 2006 at 7:01 pm
Yes, Clay gets 3rd GIDP!
August 26, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Meredith and Embree are warming in the ‘pen.
August 26, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Kevin - I agree … that was my bottom line in #55 …
August 26, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Thru 6 …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 94-55; J Jennings 99-53; T Martin 8-5.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 13-3; J Jennings 9-3; T Martin 2-1.
Batters faced - C Hensley 25; J Jennings 25; T Martin 3.
August 26, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Not good Eaton in Texas tonight … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260826113
August 26, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Right, but I thought you hinted at a PH’er later in the season.
August 26, 2006 at 7:06 pm
Dog’s & D-backs scoreless thru 2 … D-backs with GIDP’s in both 1st & 2nd …
August 26, 2006 at 7:07 pm
I’ll bet it’s a “playoff-like atmosphere” at Comisky tonight … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260826104
August 26, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Hey, I just noticed this odd play back in 4th inning …
M. Alexander flied into double play right to first, J. Barfield out at first
… whassup with that?
August 26, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Walker is hitting .321/.438/.491 in 53 AB with the Padres. Here’s the part I love: 11 BB, 1 SO.
August 26, 2006 at 7:10 pm
re: 68 … ya, I’m just looking forward to having some hitters on the bench in September …
August 26, 2006 at 7:11 pm
That seem’d like a weak top of 7th from our 2-3-4 “hitters” …
August 26, 2006 at 7:12 pm
LM (71): Barfield was running on the pitch and the ball was hit on a line. Barfield scrambled back, and it looked like he might’ve gotten his hand back in before the throw arrived, but it was the right hand (umpire was on the other side of the bag). Very close play either way.
August 26, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Todd Walker = anti-Branyan …
August 26, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Matt V. just said that Branyan will start at 3B tomorrow, with Walker at 2B.
August 26, 2006 at 7:13 pm
Yeah, I just don’t see why PH’ing would have been a good call in September either. Hensley was fine. Maybe I’m still misunderstanding.
August 26, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Hensley goes upstairs to get pinch-hitter Sullivan swinging on three pitches. Don’t see Clay finish guys off up in the zone too often.
August 26, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Bellhorn, and his .956 FPCT, in at 3B …
August 26, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Kevin … no, you’re not misunderstanding … it’d be the right call to leave him in even in Sept … I mispoke just while pondering having some real hitters on the bench in Sept …
August 26, 2006 at 7:18 pm
re: 78 & 81 … OTOH … we’ll have a deeper bully also … and anticipating a post-season appearance, it’d be nice to save an inning or 2 off Hensley’s arm down the stretch … I guess that’s a part of what I was thinkin’ … again, perhaps ahead of things …
August 26, 2006 at 7:19 pm
Nice 7th for Clay … 3 K’s!!! After 7 …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 106-64; J Jennings 99-53; T Martin 20-12.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 13-3; J Jennings 9-3; T Martin 4-2.
Batters faced - C Hensley 28; J Jennings 25; T Martin 6.
… now we PH for him?
August 26, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Nomar knocks in 2 … Dogs up 2-0 …
August 26, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Now it’s Meredith and Adkins in the ‘pen.
August 26, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Joe Table is 40 years old! Amazing for an RHP that had a WHIP of 1.81 back in 1999!
August 26, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Mesa’s also #12 all time on the saves list. Branyan is in the on-deck circle in case Alexander keeps it going.
August 26, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Damn, Manny takes Holliday to the wall. We could very easily have 10 runs tonight.
August 26, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Manny to the wall….definitely must be using the non-humidor balls tonight!
August 26, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Just noticed Cameron is hitting sixth, which seems unusual to me (would think he’d be in the top 3 spots). Anyone have any insight on this?
August 26, 2006 at 7:27 pm
He does poorly against Jennings is the explanation I heard.
August 26, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Russ’ll wait for the 9th … mighty Manny has flied out …
August 26, 2006 at 7:28 pm
they liek Walker in the 3hole…. Walker’s hit .321 in August.. so I don’t blame them, plus as long as Giles doesn’t swing for power, he might as well hit 2nd.
August 26, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Meredith in for the 8th …
August 26, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Meredith has tied the Padres rookie scoreless innings record.
August 26, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Colorado’s first three hitters are a combined 7 for 12 but the team has scored only once. That would never have happened in the ‘old’ Coors.
August 26, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Going into the game, Cameron was .077/.143/.0.77 against Jennings. Probably one of the smarter things Bochy has done lately.
August 26, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Kevin & Ryguy - thanks!
August 26, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Nice inning by Cla … 5 pitches … all for strikes … 1 GB + 2 FB outs … single to Helton, who’s been on fire lately …
August 26, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Lefty in to pitch, so Piazza hits instead of Branyan to start the ninth.
August 26, 2006 at 7:36 pm
Linebrink is up; he’ll work the ninth.