IGD: Padres @ Cardinals (25 Sep 06)

first pitch: 5:10 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: David Wells (2-5, 4.80) vs Jeff Suppan (12-7, 4.07 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
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The Padres head to St. Louis in a matchup of the two NL division leaders that are still looking to clinch a playoff spot. The Padres’ magic number is 6, while the Cardinals’ is 5. The Friars also are up 2 1/2 games on St. Louis in the battle for home-field advantage in the first round.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

David Wells remains in search of his first win since returning to the Padres. Right now he is easily the weakest link in the rotation, and it’d be nice to see him get into a groove. The good news is, he hasn’t looked terrible in his four starts for San Diego. The bad news is, “hasn’t looked terrible” doesn’t really cut it when you’re gunning for the playoffs.

Current Cardinals are batting .293/.321/.537 against Wells in 147 at-bats. Scott Rolen (.444/.444/1.222 in 9 AB), Jim Edmonds (.314/.351/.629 in 35 AB), and Juan Encarnacion (.292/.320/.583 in 24 AB) have been the chief culprits.

Meantime, Jeff Suppan continues to excel at getting the maximum out of the minimum. He allows a ton of hits, he doesn’t have impeccable control, and he doesn’t strike people out. All he does is win games and post respectable ERAs. And unfortunately for the Padres, he’s got a couple other things working for him: Suppan has a 2.97 ERA over 97 innings at home this year, and a remarkable 2.04 ERA over 83 2/3 innings since the All-Star break. Difficult to explain, but there it is.

Current Padres are batting .326/.379/.624 against Suppan in 178 at-bats. Mike Piazza (.533/.533/1.533) has five homers in 15 at-bats. Dave Roberts (.667/.700/1.111 in 9 AB), Geoff Blum (.571/.571/.714 in 14 AB), and Brian Giles (.273/.370/.545 in 24 AB) also have enjoyed success against the finesse right-hander.

Big series at Busch begins tonight. Go Padres!

221 Comments

  1. Posted September 25, 2006 at 4:05 pm | Permalink

    As previously noted, Wells has been scratched in favor of rookie Mike Thompson. Wish I’d known that this morning when I was doing my research. ;-)

  2. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 4:30 pm | Permalink

    Wells has missed time with gout before. I think it was about 8 yrs ago, when he was with the Yanks.

  3. Didi
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:05 pm | Permalink

    Go Padres! Let’s go and beat those Cards.

  4. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:14 pm | Permalink

    Giles, double play, surprising no one

  5. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:17 pm | Permalink

    The Cardinals announcers have done their homework: they mentioned the Padres have the best rotation in the NL and that their hitting is much better on the road than at home. And now they’re showing home/road splits for Giles. Good work so far.

    Not another grounder to the right side with a runner on. That is brutal. I think Giles needs to be leading off now, with the way Roberts has struggled and the way Giles is prone to hitting those routine grounders.

  6. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:17 pm | Permalink

    Yeah I don’t think there is any doubt that Giles has given them close to nothing for the past 10 days. It’s hard to continue to win games when your #1 and #2 hitters are lucky to get on base once per game between the two of them.

  7. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:20 pm | Permalink

    As of three pitches, Mike Thompson looks excellent.

  8. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:20 pm | Permalink

    Super, off to a hot start tonight

  9. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:20 pm | Permalink

    Oops. That fourth pitch was not so hot.

  10. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:22 pm | Permalink

    Ben B – talk about how good Suppan looks, please!

  11. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    Yeah, Suppan is definitely dominating the Padres. They’ll be lucky to get any hits tonight. Actually, he did have a really good first inning with three easy ground balls, and getting ahead of every batter.

  12. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:26 pm | Permalink

    Another easy grounder. Ouch.

  13. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:27 pm | Permalink

    Lucky hit. We’re still doomed.

  14. Sean Callahan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:28 pm | Permalink

    So Wells, in all likelihood, will have been worth zero wins this (regular) season. The Padres damn well better make the World Series after giving up Kottaras.

    Do you suppose that the reason the Dodgers and Diamondbacks have good farm systems is because they don’t trade their best prospects for 43-year old one month rentals?

  15. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:29 pm | Permalink

    Another lucky hit. Here comes the routine ground ball double play.

  16. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:29 pm | Permalink

    Keep talking, Ben B…

    FYI, U2 and GreenDay absolutely ROCKING the superdome right now

  17. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:30 pm | Permalink

    is anyone else convinced that we didn’t lose much when Kalil went down?

  18. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:31 pm | Permalink

    Ok, now ground ball on the first pitch to Barfield, because that’s what he does. Ok, I was late there, on the second or third pitch now.

  19. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:31 pm | Permalink

    Sweet…let’s get into that nice, soft Cards bullpen…

  20. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:32 pm | Permalink

    Clayton/Ben B — I know what you’re doing and I LOVE IT….

  21. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:32 pm | Permalink

    re 17: we lost the Female 13-34 demographic

  22. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:33 pm | Permalink

    Wow, too slow on that one. And look what happened. Well, here’s the Doc to end the rally, since he has been slumping so badly recently.

  23. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm | Permalink

    um last I checked the Dodgers traded Guzman this past season for Julio Lugo who doesn’t even start on an everyday basis for them.

  24. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm | Permalink

    re 21: you wouldn’t know enough about that demographic to know if it was ever even there…

  25. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm | Permalink

    Lucky break there. I’m calling it right now, with Giles up it will be like always: grounder to second.

  26. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:34 pm | Permalink

    Atta boy BG!! make a liar out of me, I don’t care!

  27. Bryan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:35 pm | Permalink

    REDBIRD SOUP FOR BRIAN GILES

  28. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:35 pm | Permalink

    re 24

    You either, newly-30 boy!

  29. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:35 pm | Permalink

    It’s a good thing the Cardinals’ center fielder sucks, because that should have been out number 3. Suppan, despite the apparent results, it’s still dominating.

  30. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:36 pm | Permalink

    wait – was that Giles? I was focusing on the 2nd baseman but I never saw the ball… did he do something other than ground out to 2nd??

  31. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm | Permalink

    Should have been caught, seriously? I thought that looked like a line drive off the wall

  32. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm | Permalink

    re 29: LOL! (which isn’t good becuase I’m in the middle of “quiet hours” at my grad school library…

  33. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm | Permalink

    I’m just estimating, but I think Suppan is on pitch #100 already

  34. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:38 pm | Permalink

    That one should have been a strikeout. The ump is just blind.

  35. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:40 pm | Permalink

    is now to early to go to Cla Meredith? I’m thinking he could get through the next 5 innings in 45 pitches or less….

  36. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:40 pm | Permalink

    In every other part of my life, I am a sane, completely rational person. Yet once a rally like that starts, even though it clearly has absolutely nothing to do with what I’m writing here, I just have to keep going with the reverse jinxing.

  37. Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:42 pm | Permalink

    Lovin’ it!!!

    http://padresrundown.blogspot.com/2006/09/dodger-day-off.html

  38. Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:43 pm | Permalink

    LOL @ 35

  39. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:43 pm | Permalink

    Thompson trying to set a team record for GB to Short induced. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

  40. Sean Callahan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:45 pm | Permalink

    re 23: The Dodgers got Lugo to fill in for Kent and Garciapra while they were on the DL. They’ll also get a draft pick if they lose Lugo to free agency.

    When Wells retires, what will we have to show for the trade?

  41. Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:46 pm | Permalink

    re: 40 Kottaras doing well for the Red Sox

  42. Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:48 pm | Permalink

    re. 40: hopefully this shiney gold trophy thing I saw some of the White Sox players holding….

  43. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:50 pm | Permalink

    Well if you are comparing Kotteras to Guzman I don’t think anyone values Kotteras more, Guzman has such a high upside.

    That draft pick is hardly a done deal considering how Lugo has played. A .541 OPS over 131 AB’s is not a good trade for the Dodgers, especially when they turned around and still brought in Betemit to play 3B.

    Lugo and Betemit were overkill for the Dodgers. Wells was a bad trade when it happened and it is a worse trade now that he is hurt.

    Mark

  44. Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:52 pm | Permalink

    re: 11

    Suppan is dominating. The Padres will be lucky to get anyting going tonight–just five runs on five hits through two innings.

  45. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:55 pm | Permalink

    Saints block a punt on ATL’s first possession – TD, New Orleans. Couldn’t write a better script.

  46. Bryan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:56 pm | Permalink

    OT: My friend was at the game on Friday night and he got me one of the player calendars that they gave out. It has next year’s schedule in it, and it looks like we don’t have a game on Opening Day. We don’t start till Tuesday, the 3rd, in San Francisco. I don’t know about anybody else, but Opening Day is BY FAR my favorite day of the year, bar none. And not having a game that day, home or away, kinda ruins it. :(

  47. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 5:56 pm | Permalink

    re 43: yeah, after hoping to claim that Well’s stats would “tell the tale”, I am not left to believe that his acquisition was nothing more than an injection of life — a necessary injection — into the rest of the club. note the word “injection”, as I believe that Brian Giles only responds after a “cycle” of “injections”…..

  48. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:02 pm | Permalink

    ok, could use a triple-play here

  49. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:03 pm | Permalink

    DP works too, now make it pay off and get out of the inning w/ no more damage

  50. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:09 pm | Permalink

    can we all make a pact here? Rudy Seanez should not be allowed anywhere near the field this evening…

  51. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:10 pm | Permalink

    Sometimes these big early leads work against you…you stop focusing as much, meanwhile the other team just starts chipping away, gaining momentum. Need MT to keep inducing those nice ground balls…get a couple more innings and turn this thing over to the pen

  52. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:12 pm | Permalink

    man on for Giles, but 2 outs…no DP chance here!

  53. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:14 pm | Permalink

    Good baserunning by Doc there – ready to go as soon as that ball hopped away from the catcher

  54. Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:16 pm | Permalink

    Just got off the phone w/ Padres’ minor league 3B David Freese – I’ll have his interview up probably within 24 hours…

  55. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:18 pm | Permalink

    Wow….LaRussa going to the ‘pen early!

    Every time I see him go to the mound, I think:

    “Daniel LaRusso’s gonna fight? Daniel LaRusso’s gonna fight!”

  56. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:22 pm | Permalink

    I love Doc Roberts

  57. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:22 pm | Permalink

    Me too. unfortunately Walker didn’t get the job done this time

  58. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:26 pm | Permalink

    great, manny alexander, defensive specialist, with the E

  59. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:27 pm | Permalink

    The Cardinals’ announcers just criticized Todd Walker for making that poor third, launching into the speech about how he’s had difficulties making the transition to third base with the longer throw. One problem: that was Manny Alexander.

  60. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:28 pm | Permalink

    Bochy needs to go to the ‘pen early. Is Chan Ho available?

  61. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm | Permalink

    Is walker hurt?

    Boch said CHP is not 100%, but availble for a couple of innings if needed.

  62. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm | Permalink

    You have got to be kidding me

  63. SD Padres Gal
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm | Permalink

    I just come home to THIS!!!!

  64. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm | Permalink

    So much for that lead

  65. SD Padres Gal
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:31 pm | Permalink

    I curse on Edmonds. His mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries.

  66. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:31 pm | Permalink

    CRAP

  67. Mark O
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:31 pm | Permalink

    yikes..

  68. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:32 pm | Permalink

    Well, we all know the Cards can hit . . . and there’s exhibit A

  69. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:32 pm | Permalink

    LaRussa looking like an effing genius tonight. Takes suppan out, reliever (didn’t catch name) K’s Walker to end threat. Pinch hits with Edmonds, 3 run jack to tie the game. No way Bochy should have left Thompson in to face him in that situation.

  70. SD Padres Gal
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:33 pm | Permalink

    Adkins in for Thompson…one batter too late

  71. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:33 pm | Permalink

    Who’s warming up? Anyone? I’m watching on GameDay

  72. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:34 pm | Permalink

    Someone should explain to Bochy that there is only 1 week left in the season and Thompson hadn’t pitched in 2 weeks….maybe he shouldn’t have been expecting 6 IP.

  73. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:34 pm | Permalink

    scratch #71. pretend like I never wrote that

  74. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:35 pm | Permalink

    On the bright side, Houston has tied up Philly 4-4 in the top of the 7th.

  75. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:35 pm | Permalink

    There was a rumor, maybe it was Olney’s blog, that St Louis might not retain Edmonds next year. Wonder if he wants to come play RF in SD?

  76. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:36 pm | Permalink

    I can’t believe Wells has freakin’ gout.

    At least they only tied. Just like 0-0 . . . just like 0-0 . . . just like 0-0 (I’m going to keep saying that until I feel better)

  77. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:38 pm | Permalink

    Curious move putting Alexander in . .. I know Walker has had his problems, but . . .

  78. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:41 pm | Permalink

    Was Alexander put in just for defense, or is Walker hurt? If it’s just for defense – a defensive replacement in the fourth inning with your #6 pitcher starting?

  79. Nick G.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:42 pm | Permalink

    Walker’s gotta be hurt . . .

  80. BigKTfan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:43 pm | Permalink

    Stros take the lead, 5-4.

  81. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:43 pm | Permalink

    what about branyan? any update?

  82. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:49 pm | Permalink

    Nice play by Manny to rob pujols. Not that that makes up for the E last inning…

  83. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 6:57 pm | Permalink

    Cassidy up in the pen, if we get to Adkins’ spot in the order with a man on, looks like Cassidy will pitch the 6th

  84. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:01 pm | Permalink

    Ouch, this is brutal. Isn’t the Cardinals’ pen their huge weakness?

  85. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:04 pm | Permalink

    supposedly. can’t believe Bochy left Thompson in there to face Edmonds. No way that should have happened. How many ridiculous, one-in-a-million HRs are we going to face during this pennant chase?

  86. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:14 pm | Permalink

    Anybody know why Bochy hates Cassidy so much? I mean the guy has an ERA under 3 with decent peripherals.

  87. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:15 pm | Permalink

    OT … good to see Zach Greinke back in the bigs for KC … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260925109

  88. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    Cassidy worked into and out of a jam there…threw about 50 pitches

  89. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:17 pm | Permalink

    Wow, I just noticed that Preston Wilson is hitting leadoff for the Cards? That can’t be a good/right thing, can it? If Bochy did that, we’d be screaming bloody murder!

  90. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:17 pm | Permalink

    Stark on Hoffman:

    http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=stark_jayson#20060925

  91. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:19 pm | Permalink

    It seems like we’re getting jobbed on calls on the corner. Maybe two or three pitches on the black for us called balls and two or three called strikes for them. I guess when Cassidy is throwing balls by them in those locations it doesn’t become an issue.

    And, yeah, Preston Wilson leading off is a sign of the lack of depth in this Cardinal lineup. They have Pujols and Rolen, and Duncan has hit really well, but beyond that the lineup is pretty weak.

  92. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:20 pm | Permalink

    Maybe the team could get their second hit outside of that big second inning. Naaw, too much to ask.

    Oops, there it is. Even if it was really, really ugly.

  93. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    Eckstein hit a foul off his upper knee last night on a splitter from Clemens.. not sure if that is what has taken him out of the lineup or not, but happened to see it — it looked pretty f’n painful….

  94. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    Giles enables Manny to have a “productive AB” … I s’pose …

  95. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    Big CHOPPAH by Piazza to take the lead!

  96. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    Attaway Padres! Way to absolutely murder those hits. Wow.

  97. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:23 pm | Permalink

    i swear, every time I jump on this site and start baggin’ on Giles, he starts producing…. whatever…

  98. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:23 pm | Permalink

    Gonzalez pulls a Giles

  99. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:23 pm | Permalink

    Bing!

    - B. Giles ground rule double to left
    - M. Alexander sacrificed to catcher, B. Giles to third
    - M. Piazza singled to left, B. Giles scored

    More! More! More!

  100. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:24 pm | Permalink

    We’re into the 7th with a lead…let’s see if Meredith/Linebrink/Hoffman can get ‘er done

  101. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:24 pm | Permalink

    come on Astros… come on Astros….come on Astros….

  102. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:24 pm | Permalink

    One more inning for Cassidy? Or bring in Cla?

  103. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:25 pm | Permalink

    Bring in Cla! Bring in Cla! Bring in Cla!

  104. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:26 pm | Permalink

    FYI, Fantasy Football fans: Shaun Alexander out indefinitely with a broken foot. Madden cover jinx lives on…

  105. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:26 pm | Permalink

    It’s not obvious to me to root for the Astros … I’m interested to take my chances of knockin’ them Dogs outta the picture completly :-)

    OTOH … facing the Dogs in the playoffs would be fun … especially ’cause it’d mean the NL pennant is on the line!

  106. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:27 pm | Permalink

    I’m not as fascinated with Embree as is Bochy, but if this clears Cla for the 8th, then it’s all good

  107. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:27 pm | Permalink

    Bochy chooses … (c) none of the above … hmmm …

  108. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:28 pm | Permalink

    Nope, just saves Meredith for Poo-holes

  109. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:28 pm | Permalink

    Here comes THE CLA!

  110. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:28 pm | Permalink

    Now bring in Cla?

  111. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:29 pm | Permalink

    Ah … OK …

  112. Bfeeder
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:29 pm | Permalink

    When in Rome…Bochy does his best LaRussa impersonation and opens the revolving bullpen door…

  113. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:29 pm | Permalink

    Let’s see how “on” Cla is after 2 IP yesterday afternoon

  114. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:31 pm | Permalink

    Embree does the LOOGY thing … one of my favorite wikipedia entries … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOOGY :-)

  115. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:31 pm | Permalink

    I’m nervous…feel like he’s “sizing” up Cla here

  116. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:32 pm | Permalink

    never mind – retract!

  117. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:32 pm | Permalink

    Cla! Cla! Cla! Cla!

  118. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:33 pm | Permalink

    seriously, righties look as bad against Cla as lefties do against Mariano Rivera….

  119. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:33 pm | Permalink

    SIT DOWN PUJOLS! Wow. How often do you see Pujols swing that badly? And even on the pitches he fouled off he just pounded them into the ground weakly.

  120. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:33 pm | Permalink

    re: 115 … he *was* sizing him up … and that’s a dangerous thing … be wary of the Pujols … be very wary! Way to go Cla!

  121. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    Yahoo’s box shows Embree pitching the whole inning … tech ain’t perfect …

  122. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    bottom 9 in Philly, still 5-4 Hou

  123. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:35 pm | Permalink

    That was a filthy sequence to Pujols. You just don’t see him swing like that real often.

  124. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:35 pm | Permalink

    A better place I should go more often is http://snap.stats.com/premium/sfa/stats/snap/boxscores/boxscore_260925124.asp

  125. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

    I wish! (they just put Scott Rolen’s name up as batting for SD.)

  126. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:38 pm | Permalink

    re 125

    Did we trade Manny for him, straight up in the middle of the game? Done and done!

  127. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:38 pm | Permalink

    2 outs, bottom 9, Phillies down 1 with nobody on… our old buddy Dan Wheeler on the hill…

  128. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:40 pm | Permalink

    Game! Astros beat Phillies!!

  129. Stu
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:41 pm | Permalink

    Astros win 6-5

  130. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:41 pm | Permalink

    damn no Linebrink? Is he hurt?

  131. Stu
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:41 pm | Permalink

    sorry, make the 5-4. right result, wrong score. my bad.

  132. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:41 pm | Permalink

    re: 126 Geoff Blum was the real batter…sorry Geoff; love ya man, but you would be gone so fast …

    Houston beats Philly 5-4!

  133. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    is it wrong to want to pitch Cla in every inning? seriously, the guy’s up there throwing like a 2nd baseman to 1st base… his arm can totally take the abuse….

  134. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    Meredith still in there…hope he’s got the Steve Austin bionic arm

    RE: Astros…that puts more pressure on the Cards here, they’ve got to be feeling the heat – that was an 8.5 game lead like a week ago!

  135. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    Cla was left in through the eighth yesterday too…just a thought; are we seeing an audition?

  136. BigKTfan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:43 pm | Permalink

    Linebrink might be pithcing the 9th. Trevor’s worked a lot lately.

  137. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:43 pm | Permalink

    13 pitches, 10 strikes, 4 outs….

  138. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:43 pm | Permalink

    Scott Linebrink has been marginalized, thank goodness. Has Bochy or anyone said anything about this.

  139. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:43 pm | Permalink

    This could be a game where Hoffman is not available so Linebrink gets the 9th

  140. SD Padres Gal
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:44 pm | Permalink

    this may be outta a left field, but do you think they’re stretching Cla’s appearances to convert him to a possible starter?

  141. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:44 pm | Permalink

    Khalil gets that grounder

  142. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:45 pm | Permalink

    And Heeeeeeeeere’s Liney!

  143. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:46 pm | Permalink

    I don’t agree with this move… Cla had thrown all of 17 pitches… Liney scares me…. of course, this Schumaker kid would only scare me if he was behind the wheel of an F1….

  144. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:47 pm | Permalink

    The “Linebrink Run” would NOT be a good idea here

  145. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:48 pm | Permalink

    Wow – that was a heckuva first cut!

  146. Mark
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    That was good. I did not think replacing Meredith with Linebrink was a good move, but it worked out. But on the whole, Meredith has been much better.

  147. Marsh
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    what happened to liney hitting upper 90’s on his fastball?? btw – was that willy mays hays running the bases?

  148. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    Linebrink is better against lefties than righties, I think. And lefties actually have a chance against Meredith.

  149. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:50 pm | Permalink

    Seriously…amateur hour out there

  150. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:51 pm | Permalink

    Wow, Houston used 9 pitchers … 1 got a Win … 3 got Holds … 1 got a Save … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260925122 … Philly burned 7 pitchers in defeat!

  151. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:52 pm | Permalink

    Nice piece o’ hitting, Rob Bowen! Let’s get some margin here…DR needs to hit a double so Giles can’t come up with the oh-so-tempting DP sitting there. (“Must…ground out…to second….”)

  152. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:53 pm | Permalink

    Padres could help the Cardinals collapse in this series.

  153. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:54 pm | Permalink

    151: It’s funny because it’s true.

  154. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:55 pm | Permalink

    uh oh – prove me wrong Brian

  155. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:55 pm | Permalink

    Uh oh. Dave Roberts on first base with Brian Giles coming up. Less than two outs. Here we go.

  156. Kiel
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:55 pm | Permalink

    Wikipedia:

    Many still believe that gout is caused by a combination of dietary factors and “laziness”. In particular, many believe that gout develops following several years of excessive alcohol consumption combined with an ongoing lack of physical activity and a diet completely lacking in purine-neutralising foods, such as berries, as well as other specific fruit and vegetables.

  157. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:56 pm | Permalink

    thank you doc, now the obligatory gb to 2nd doesn’t kill 2 birds

  158. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:56 pm | Permalink

    Roberts: 45 steals

  159. Mark O
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:57 pm | Permalink

    Manny Alexander with the chance to hit into the DP… Mr. Hoffman warming up in the bullpen..

  160. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:57 pm | Permalink

    here’s where some bench depth would be good, can’t stomach having Manny hitting third in the lineup….ahhh…there’s my man. Muscles Branyan, let’s get it on!

  161. Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:58 pm | Permalink

    That’s the most by a Padres player since Bip Roberts had 46 in 1990.

  162. Mark O
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 7:59 pm | Permalink

    Would be a great time to see that “freakish power” from Branyan..

  163. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:00 pm | Permalink

    trying to work RB on the o/s corner…a good idea, unless you miss over the middle

  164. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:01 pm | Permalink

    as far as freakish power goes, did look like he hit that a mile in the air

  165. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:02 pm | Permalink

    dammit. how does doc get gunned out at home? really thought Liney helped himself out there

  166. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:02 pm | Permalink

    So who plays 3B in bottom of 9th?

  167. Stu
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:02 pm | Permalink

    Scott Linebrink, professional hitter…

    dammit.

  168. Mark O
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:05 pm | Permalink

    Branyan at 3rd in the 9th..

  169. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:05 pm | Permalink

    That makes no sense…Pinch hit for Manny Alexander and then not pinch hit Linebrink.

    I understand that we want to keep Scotty in the game to close and I fully agree, but why depress your defense if you are not going to go all the way through with it?

    It just seems if you are going to play for 1 run, you really should play for 1 run. Hopefully this works out, but I just wonder sometimes…

  170. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:06 pm | Permalink

    not a good start

  171. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:07 pm | Permalink

    Yikes. And now Pujols is going to come up.

  172. Kiel
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:07 pm | Permalink

    I was hoping we’d get to see Pujols.

  173. Stu
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:07 pm | Permalink

    A double play ball would be quite nice right here.

  174. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:08 pm | Permalink

    c’mon, nice easy ground ball here…

  175. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:10 pm | Permalink

    ok – I’m going on record right now – this CANNOT happen again to us, no way no how

  176. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:10 pm | Permalink

    (meaning some ridiculous walkoff HR)

  177. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:11 pm | Permalink

    Can we bring Meredith back in to pitch to Pujols?

  178. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:11 pm | Permalink

    I agree with Matty…He went.

  179. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:11 pm | Permalink

    3-0, just give him 1B, you’ve lost this AB

  180. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:12 pm | Permalink

    I don’t like this…not at all…Rolen may be struggling, but he deserves his rep…

  181. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    No, you can’t walk him like that. Now the run scores on a single. Although I’d have to say those first two pitches looked like strikes to me.

  182. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    prove me wrong, please!

  183. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:14 pm | Permalink

    WoooHooo

  184. Clayton
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:14 pm | Permalink

    Phew!

  185. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:14 pm | Permalink

    HUGE! That is a full 2 game lead folks…

  186. Stu
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:14 pm | Permalink

    YES!!!

  187. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:15 pm | Permalink

    And regarding my post #169…just b/c it works does not mean it was the right thing to do.

  188. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:15 pm | Permalink

    No sweat. Easy inning.

  189. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:15 pm | Permalink

    Whew, just got done taping a radio segment in time to see Scotty close it out. That was a little nervewracking.

  190. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:16 pm | Permalink

    Prince Albert’s attitude when he plays the Pads reminds me of the organ that a Prince Albert also refers to…remember the sucker punch on Bennett?

  191. Ben B.
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:16 pm | Permalink

    2 games with 6 to play! That’s 2 games over both Philly and LA. Good work yet again by the bullpen. And that go ahead run featured two of the luckiest hits I’ve seen, but I’ll take it.

  192. BigKTfan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:17 pm | Permalink

    All I can say is I’m glad that you guys weren’t managing today! Based on the comments on the board, if Bochy heeds your advice, Pads lose 7-4.

    BTW, great win! Thanks, Boch!

  193. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:17 pm | Permalink

    Walking Pujols was the right thing to do. Every day of the week. They never “lost” that at-bat, because their intention was to walk him to the entire time. It was an unintentional intentional walk.

  194. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    Magic number: 5

  195. Masticore317
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:19 pm | Permalink

    Whew…nailbiter, especially on the dialup!

  196. Bryan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:20 pm | Permalink

    The past week in Padres baseball:

    A San Diego pitcher two outs away from a no-hitter.
    An all-time major league record broken.
    A single from Scott Linebrink.

    Which of the above is the most amazing?

  197. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:21 pm | Permalink

    What, no love for Piazza’s triple? ;-)

  198. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:22 pm | Permalink

    192 … well said!

  199. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:22 pm | Permalink

    So that makes the Magic Number 5, right?

  200. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

    re:194 yep, I always think I’ve done it wrong…so I’m glad you’re confirming it…

  201. Mark O
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

    I think the at-bat with Pujols was all based on the first pitch….if that pitch gets called a strike (which it certainly looked like it was), Linebrink pitches him more aggressively..but after he fell behind he was in trouble. Also..the difference between Pujols and Rolen….Rolen swung at the same pitch that Pujols took twice..

  202. LaMar
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:25 pm | Permalink

    Hey, GY, maybe we should have a meet up down at Petco on the big screen on a night if it looks like the Padres can clinch. What do you think?

  203. Bryan
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:28 pm | Permalink

    197: Brilliant, GY. Five stars.

    I’d be so down to head down to the Park at the Park for a possible “you-know-what” type of game (my brother and I don’t say the C word, September baseball calls for superstition). Celebrating with all the Padres fans there and then down in the Gaslamp would be awesome.

  204. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:45 pm | Permalink

    OT … Travis Chick getting another pasting for the M’s … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260925112

  205. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:46 pm | Permalink

    A meetup? Oooh, I’m liking it. I can make it Friday (6:40 p.m. PT start) or Sunday (1:10 p.m. PT). Anyone else?

  206. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:46 pm | Permalink

    Magic number is the number of Padres wins OR Dodgers losses left to win the division.

  207. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:49 pm | Permalink

    Hmmm, I’m gonna be in town on Thursday for a wedding on Saturday … I could be talked into a trip downtown … even if we have C-word’d by then …

  208. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:52 pm | Permalink

    re: 206 … right Kevin … and there’s also another “magic number” … you’ve described the “magic number to win the NL West” … to me, the more critical is the “magic number to get into the playoffs … which at this time is defined as … the number of Padre wins + max(LA losses, Philly losses) …

  209. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:53 pm | Permalink

    re: 208 … and just to be clear, since LA & Philly are both 82-74, both of the magic numbers are 5 at this time …

  210. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:56 pm | Permalink

    Here’s a reason to root against Philly … if they drop out (ie. lose enough games to be behind both Padres and Dogs), then even if we tie the Dogs, we’ll be NL West champs without a 1-game playoff … that 1-game playoff is something that’d be HUGE to avoid! I’d rather have the Dogs in the playoffs (as the wild card, of course) than have to do that 1-game play-in game.

  211. Posted September 25, 2006 at 8:56 pm | Permalink

    re: 208-209

    Sure, but winning the NL West is the goal. Until that is no longer a possibility, then I don’t really acknowledge the wild card.

  212. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 9:01 pm | Permalink

    211 … that’s where we disagree … I think getting into the playoffs is the goal … because that’s step #1 to winning the World Championship … it’s not old-school, but it’s the way things are.

    For example, it comes down to Sunday … we’ve clinch’d the wild card, but not the NL West … do we go with #1 starter? Or save him for game 1 of playoffs? I s’pose this hypothetical also would require knowing the status of home-field advantage …

    I wonder if SA + KT + BB are pondering this yet? Does that get them looking too far ahead? Or would that just be prudent?

  213. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 9:11 pm | Permalink

    Our rotation here on out …

    Tues … Woody (vs Carpenter)
    Wed … CYoung (vs AReyes)
    Thu … Jake (at AZ)
    Fri … Hensley (at AZ)
    Sat … Gout-man? Thompson? (at AZ)
    Sun … Woody (at AZ)

    The playoff schedule is at http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/schedule/ps_06.jsp … the non-WildCard matchup starts Tuesday … so if LA is the WC, Padres would play NL Central champs on Tuesday … if Phily is the WC and Padres the NL West champs, Padres would play Phillies on Wed … if Padres are the WC, they would play Mets on Wed …

    Tuesday will be Jake’s normal rest … but it’d be CY’s turn … who goes #1? Is there any doubt? :-)

  214. LaMar
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 9:32 pm | Permalink

    Count me in for at least Sunday. I’m not sure about Friday yet.

  215. LynchMob
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 9:34 pm | Permalink

    More from Wikipedia … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gout

    Famous people who had gout:
    One of the most famous sufferers of gout was Henry VIII. Others include John Calvin, Khubilai Khan, Nostradamus, John Milton, Queen Anne, Isaac Newton, Henry Fielding, Samuel Johnson, Charles V, Pablo Neruda, Alfred Lord Tennyson, George IV, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Karl Marx, William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, Benjamin Disraeli, Kirk Reuter, David Wells, Rubens, Lennart Torstenson, Peter Gomes, Alexander Hamilton, George Mason, Benjamin Franklin, Jared Leto.

    … Kirk Reuter and David Wells on the same list as John Calvin, Isaac Newton and Ben Franklin??? Just bizarre …

  216. Posted September 25, 2006 at 10:35 pm | Permalink

    re: 212

    If the Padres were the wild card, they would play the Mets. I wouldn’t want to play them first. Yes, wild cards have often won the World Series, but that’s not the easy way to do it.

  217. Posted September 25, 2006 at 10:36 pm | Permalink

    A history of closing:

    http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20060926-120124-4264r.htm

  218. Jay
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 10:56 pm | Permalink

    Nice win. I like Bochy’s moves. Even leaving in Thompson, though I disagree with Piazza on the second fastball. You sneak the one heater by him, then try something else. Two past him is like the old addage, foul me once, shame on you, foul me twice…; anyway, I also like the four out Linebrink move, though I thought he should have double switched (maybe he did). It was by necessity, but that was Linebrink of old. Made Rolen look bad. He would have gone after Pujols, but as Mark O as in 201, it was about that first pitch (which was a strike). He gets that call, different AB.

    Wow. 2 up with 6 left. A tough 6, but man, just have a little fun here, just imagine what it feels like if you are the Dogs tomorrow looking at the scoreboard. Pretend, fantasy like, we have a nice lead tomorrow, you now face the Rox basically 2.5 back. You lose, you are 3 down with 5 left, very, very tight. A little pressure, no? All those dramatic jacks and still cannot make up ground. Frustrating? Well, we’ll see. We have the cornered, rapid Red Birds trying to peck our eyes out Hitchcock style, so let’s keep playing tough.

  219. Axion
    Posted September 25, 2006 at 11:55 pm | Permalink

    I say if we win 4 of the next 6, we clinch.

  220. Posted September 26, 2006 at 7:48 am | Permalink

    Profound Axion…profound!!!

  221. Nick G.
    Posted September 26, 2006 at 8:13 am | Permalink

    I feel good today. Nice win last night.