IGD: Padres vs Nationals (5 Aug 06)
Sat, Aug 5, 2006by Geoff Young
first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Mike Thompson (3-3, 4.34) vs Pedro Astacio (2-1, 5.23)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com
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After Friday night’s 6-2 loss at the hands of the Nationals, the Padres are now 26-31 at home this year. Only three teams (Braves, 22-28; Cubs, 23-31; Royals, 23-31) have a worse home record. That’s not the kind of company you want to keep if you’re trying to reach the playoffs.
The Diamondbacks lost again so they’re still a game out of first. But the Snakes, with their lack of pitching, don’t concern me nearly as much as the one team in the NL West that actually took steps to improve itself at the trade deadline — the Dodgers.
Bright spots? How about this: On May 8, Adrian Gonzalez was hitting .224/.286/.318. Since then he’s hit .337/.379/.591.
Gonzalez can’t do it alone, though. Time for the rest of the team to pick up its game. If the Padres are serious about defending their NL West title, they need to start acting like it. Now.
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 5, 2006 at 9:16 am
If only we had a REALLY tall pitcher our problems would be solved.
August 5, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Anyone in the hizzy tonight?
August 5, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Now I’ve seen everything, a triple for A Gon!
August 5, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Yeah, that was something. Piazza did a fantastic job working the walk ahead of Gonzo. Down 0-2 and wouldn’t expand the zone. Let’s get some more here.
August 5, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Astacio didn’t look good at all. This could be a breakout night for the offense.
August 5, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Kearns looked liked Termel on that one.
August 5, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Man, Giles crushed that ball. I can’t believe it didn’t leave the yard. Still, he’s on second base.
August 5, 2006 at 8:26 pm
Brian Schneider’s double was his first extra-base hit since July 9, when he homered and doubled against the Pads. He hasn’t knocked an extra-base hit against anyone other than the Padres since June 17, when he doubled against the Yankees.
August 5, 2006 at 9:12 pm
I am, ahem, in the hizzy. And the Padres get two hits to go ahead.
Just sayin’…
August 5, 2006 at 9:18 pm
It’s good to see them push the runners around after leaving 11on last night.
August 5, 2006 at 9:20 pm
In last night’s comment, Nick G mentioned he’s planning go to HOF induction ceremony next summer … me too … anyone else?
I haven’t started to look into where to try to stay … I know Cooperstown is a small town … so I’ll bet rooms there are pricey for HOF induction weekend … anyone have suggestions for a good place to stay that’s “nearby”?
August 5, 2006 at 9:41 pm
I always feel more comfortable with a 3 run save situation.
August 5, 2006 at 9:48 pm
Eight-pitch save. Nice. Trevor reaches #30 on the season for the 11th time in his career. Lee Smith is second, having accomplished the feat 10 times.
August 5, 2006 at 9:48 pm
With my apologies but since no one else was here to do it, I’ll take the honors –
Death
Taxes
Hoffman
August 7, 2006 at 10:04 am
I’ve been planning the trip to the HOF in ‘07 since TGwynn retired. It also helps that I have close friends in Buffalo and Rochester to also visit during the trip.