IGD: Padres @ Diamondbacks (27 Sep 06)
Thu, Sep 28, 2006
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 6:40 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Jake Peavy (10-14, 4.13 ERA) vs Miguel Batista (11-7, 4.36 ERA)
preview: Padres.com
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Unfortunately the Padres couldn’t hold off the Cardinals on Wednesday, and the Rockies couldn’t hold off the Dodgers, so the Pads’ lead in the NL West is back down to 1 game. And the Phillies, who needed 14 innings to beat the Nationals, aren’t letting go of their wild card dreams just yet.
So, this is our season. Four games in Phoenix.
Nobody said it would be easy.
Jake Peavy goes for the Padres in the opener, and he’s gotten hot at just the right time. Peavy has a 2.61 ERA over 72 1/3 innings since the beginning of August, and his peripheral numbers are strong as well.
Miguel Batista gets the call for the Diamondbacks. His ERA is a very respectable 3.59 since the All-Star break, but the other numbers don’t necessarily support it. He’s been stingy with the long ball in the second half, but walking and striking out four batters apiece per game isn’t exactly a recipe for sustainable success. Batista also has posted a much higher ERA at home than away, and his extreme lefty/righty splits play into the Padres’ favor. Lefties are hitting .318/.403/.486 against Batista this year, while righties are at .255/.309/.363.
The Snakes might appear to be vulnerable, but they always play the Padres tough. And I don’t buy that non-contenders are just mailing it in at this point of the season. They’ve got professional ballplayers on their team, too. Everyone wants to win; that’s why they play the games.
Nobody said it would be easy. But it sure will be fun. Go Padres!
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September 28, 2006 at 6:03 pm
Test for Jake. Very important game and he has pitched very u and down, so would like to see him be tough tonight, and NO Coffee!!!
Hitters have to be patient and play small ball like we can. A dinger from Piazza or somebody would be nice. And no bellhorn, please.
September 28, 2006 at 6:12 pm
As usual, good breakdown Geoff… those lefty/righty splits are huge… our lead is now technically 1/2 a game….
September 28, 2006 at 6:34 pm
It’s game time…let’s get it going.. I’d love to see a nice 3 or 4 run win for the Pads…but I know better than to think that they’ll do anything the easy way…
September 28, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Lefties didn’t do much in the first. Oh well.
September 28, 2006 at 6:49 pm
great…starts off hitting Counsell
September 28, 2006 at 6:50 pm
GREAT throw, GREAT tag
September 28, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Uh oh. Not a good start at all.
September 28, 2006 at 6:54 pm
On that ball four, maybe Jake was confused from watching Russell Branyan’s at bat against Carpenter two days ago. Ohhh yes, I am still bitter.
September 28, 2006 at 6:54 pm
Raining in DC…can’t tell if that’s just a delay or a potential wash out
September 28, 2006 at 6:54 pm
D-backs announcers are saying Pedro is out for the playoffs.
September 28, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Good to get Gonzalez out - those career #s against Peavy are frightening
September 28, 2006 at 6:57 pm
21 pitches, a hit batter, a walk, and two fly balls later, Jake gets out. Yikes.
September 28, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Yeah, not the start we need for “Give the Bullpen a Break” night
September 28, 2006 at 6:58 pm
#10 is not quite right, the Mets announced that he won’t pitch in games 1 & 2 and their manager said if he can’t start he won’t be on the roster, the question is whether Pedro can go in game 3
September 28, 2006 at 7:00 pm
ESPNews reporting “out for the postseason” - torn calf muscle
September 28, 2006 at 7:02 pm
#9: That game was supposed to start about 7 hours ago. Sucks to be the Phillies.
September 28, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Peter: sounded like the D-Backs announcers just got updated info that he was out the entire playoffs. Of course, he could just be setting us up for a Schilling moment, even if the announcers have good info.
Oh god. The announcers are trying to convince me that Cameron is going to bunt here.
September 28, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Daniel Cabrera - 8 1/3 No hit ball…isn’t he like 6′10 too? What’s up with RHP with gigantism throwing 8 1/3 of no-no lately?
September 28, 2006 at 7:02 pm
MLB.com says Pedro out at least 4 weeks.
September 28, 2006 at 7:03 pm
“torn tendon in left calf muscle” - I have espnews on in the background - it’s confirmed
September 28, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Nice job by Cameron to work the walk after falling way behind. Let’s score a few here.
September 28, 2006 at 7:05 pm
big spot for Blummer here
September 28, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Too early to pinch-hit for Blum?
September 28, 2006 at 7:06 pm
Houston won, St. Louis is getting destroyed at Milwaukee. That could get real interesting.
September 28, 2006 at 7:06 pm
Wow…don’t see many 4-0 BB with the bases loaded
September 28, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Batista is all over the place. If Barfield swings at the first pitch, I’m going to scream.
September 28, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Thank you Miguel Batista. Hey, it appears the announcers were correct in telling me that sometimes Batista just completely loses his control.
September 28, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Pedro wasn’t the same pedro when he came back. Its one of those reasons nobody can be sure what the Mets will do. other than start El Duque in game one and tom glavine in game two, weird.
September 28, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Barfield listens to Geoff
September 28, 2006 at 7:08 pm
ATTAWAY BARFIELD! He takes the first pitch!
September 28, 2006 at 7:08 pm
barfield one of the best road hitters, come through here.
September 28, 2006 at 7:08 pm
well, there goes that approach. No business swinging at that pitch
September 28, 2006 at 7:09 pm
alright Jake, hep’ yoself out
September 28, 2006 at 7:13 pm
one of the things that is good about ending in Arizona, is in case it rains they have the roof. In philly they’re still waiting to start their game tonight and they’re going to probably wait all night to start it because its a game that has to be played.
September 28, 2006 at 7:13 pm
inside to either lefty or righty hitters, Bautista is not getting the inside pitch called (not that I mind)…
September 28, 2006 at 7:13 pm
the Doctor is IN!
September 28, 2006 at 7:14 pm
crooked number
September 28, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Not so sure I like the vibe with a 4-0 lead being handed to Jake early again. Let’s get some more first.
September 28, 2006 at 7:15 pm
DR saves us from the curse of the Ugly RsBI
September 28, 2006 at 7:17 pm
And the inside fastball is finally called a strike.
September 28, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Batista needed 37 pitches to get through the second.
September 28, 2006 at 7:21 pm
And the inside fastball is called a ball. It’s ok, only costs Jake one pitch.
September 28, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Another blown call, on the checked swing, again only costs Jake one pitch.
September 28, 2006 at 7:23 pm
That’s exactly the inning the team needed. 10 pitches, two k’s and a ground ball out on the first pitch. 31 total for Jake now.
September 28, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Peavy only needed 10 pitches that inning. A little better than 37.
September 28, 2006 at 7:25 pm
I would take Adrian Gonzalez to task for swinging at the first pitch there, but that one deserved to be crushed 400 feet. So just bad execution.
September 28, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Announcers crediting Cameron for the big inning, when he turned his 0-2 count into a walk. In the next at bat Blum was walked on 4 pitches to force in a run.
September 28, 2006 at 7:30 pm
What’s up with the two-out hits? This is weird.
Two correx from (my) earlier comments: Cards are losing at home (not in Milwaukee), and the Phils/Nats game was supposed to start 10 hours ago (not 7).
September 28, 2006 at 7:31 pm
And then the Phillies have to fly down to Florida tonight for three games this weekend.
September 28, 2006 at 7:32 pm
re 48 - that’s it, Geoff. You’re fired. Come by on Monday to pick up your last check.
September 28, 2006 at 7:33 pm
interesting question on Padres.com
What was the best KT move this offseason?
-Acquiring Mike Cameron from the Mets
-Acquiring Adrian Gonzalez, Terrmel Sledge and Chris Young from the Rangers
-Acquiring Josh Bard and Cla Meredith from the Red Sox
-Signing Mike Piazza as a free agent
September 28, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Okay, why did it take Ed Hickox that long to determine whether or not the pitch was a strike?
September 28, 2006 at 7:35 pm
#50: LOL. I get a check? Sweet!
September 28, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Bard / Meredith. It’s close w/ Young and Agon, but Meredith has saved this team too many times to not be the pick, plus throw in Bard (who, as the D’backs announcers just pointed out, has gotten over 225 AB’s now with the BA still over .340)
September 28, 2006 at 7:36 pm
If he’s concluded that it is a strike, I’ll gladly sacrifice Blum to get that strike for Peavy.
September 28, 2006 at 7:38 pm
nifty play by Jake there
September 28, 2006 at 7:39 pm
I think Jake has always wanted to be a shortstop.
September 28, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Damn, Jake couldn’t put Counsell away. A healthy Giles catches that ball.
September 28, 2006 at 7:42 pm
Counsell breaks up the chance at the no hitter.
September 28, 2006 at 7:44 pm
I’ll say this for Hickox: his strike zone is inconsistent for both teams.
September 28, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Great pitch..despite the snakes announcers saying it looked like ball 4..
September 28, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Peavy got the Branyan strike.
September 28, 2006 at 7:44 pm
3rd strike looked good to me, not sure what announcers are bitching at
September 28, 2006 at 7:47 pm
wow..just got Jake at first…and i’m not sure if they did get him..
September 28, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Montero officially cannot throw.
September 28, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Geoff (or anyone else), when was the last time you can remember not noticing the umpiring? It’s been consistently inconsistent for at least the last week-plus as much as I can remember…
September 28, 2006 at 7:49 pm
That play couldn’t have been any closer….Jake was out barely out…
September 28, 2006 at 7:50 pm
I think the umpires(especially in St. Louis) do get intimidated by the large crowds, see Yankee Stadium circa World Series 1998….not sure how that works in Arizona tonight….I can only assume the home plate umpire simply sucks
September 28, 2006 at 7:50 pm
Roberts didn’t like the call..but it’s in about the same spot as the 3rrd strike that Jake got in the previous inning…
September 28, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Wow, more weird strike three calls.
September 28, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Ankle feels pretty good after that shot. Another two-out knock.
September 28, 2006 at 7:52 pm
I think Batista’s just about done.
September 28, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Big Fly to right for Mr. Brian Giles…
September 28, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Sprain the other one!
September 28, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Those are some amazingly fast hands. I was sure he was jammed and was going to pop it up to left.
September 28, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Hopefully this means Meredith, Linebrink and Hoffman can hit the showers
September 28, 2006 at 7:57 pm
I’d like to thank Colorado for such an outstanding effort these past 3 days-at least we don’t have to worry about the Giants quitting
September 28, 2006 at 7:58 pm
Why are the Diamondbacks announcers so excited about Minnesota?
September 28, 2006 at 7:58 pm
who knows…
September 28, 2006 at 8:00 pm
What sucks is going to have to listen to the Luis Gonzalez memorial tribute for the next 4 days on the Arizona broadcasts..
September 28, 2006 at 8:01 pm
As long as I get to enjoy it with the Padres comfortably ahead, todo es bueno.
September 28, 2006 at 8:02 pm
If we had a guy who made the game winning, clutch hit in the WS, I’d be making a huge deal about his last series with the team too.
September 28, 2006 at 8:02 pm
(off of Mariano Rivera, of all people)
September 28, 2006 at 8:03 pm
#81..true enough..it’s easier to watch with a 7-0 lead
#82…I understand it’s a big deal..but he isn’t retiring..he’s going to play for someone else and to make a big deal out of it for 4 days???
September 28, 2006 at 8:04 pm
I’m a big fan of Eric Byrnes’ plate discipline.
And I can get behind anyone victimizing the Yankees and Rivera.
September 28, 2006 at 8:04 pm
It couldn’t have been off Rivera though, ESPN has told us all so many times that Rivera is automatic in close games, especially in the playoffs, especially in the world series.
September 28, 2006 at 8:05 pm
Since I’ve been a Padre fan my entire conscious life, I don’t know you feel about the guy who got the clutch hit to make all your dreams come true. I’ve gotta believe it’s a pretty special thing.
September 28, 2006 at 8:06 pm
Umm, Jake, falling behind people is not how you pitch with a 7 run lead.
September 28, 2006 at 8:07 pm
I agree…I guess it bothers me that a team that has been in existance for as short a time as the D-backs have WS win and we’re still searching…..the fans of teams like AZ and Florida have no idea what it’s like to want something so bad…
September 28, 2006 at 8:08 pm
This isn’t looking like a 8IP effort from peavy tonight
September 28, 2006 at 8:10 pm
Nope, we need more runs so Bochy can use the guys he doesn’t trust.
September 28, 2006 at 8:10 pm
This is barely looking like a 6 IP night for Peavy.
September 28, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Branyan strikes again.
September 28, 2006 at 8:19 pm
Hey Geoff,
Ready to add picking up Branyan for the proverbial bag of bats to your list in 51?
September 28, 2006 at 8:21 pm
Is there any new news on Khalil now? I heard his finger improved suddenly, but how close is he to actually hitting again? Will he be on the postseason roster?
September 28, 2006 at 8:21 pm
I heard that Mark Grant threw BP to Grene yesterday…so they were saying on the pregame show that his confidence has to be really high right now..
September 28, 2006 at 8:23 pm
rest jake, get ready for game 1
September 28, 2006 at 8:23 pm
re 87: garvey, Craig Lefferts against the Alt, in 98, Gwynns brother in 96, having to win all three in la in 96. Bad call against the yabks in 98, forget the pitcher but it was against bernie Williams and he crushed the next ptich in the identical place and crushed the Padre WS dreams that year.
September 28, 2006 at 8:26 pm
RE 98,
I think we are talking about Mark Langston pitching to Tino Martinez?
September 28, 2006 at 8:27 pm
PM, facts are a bit off. It was Tino Martinez and the pitcher was Mark Langston in the 98 WS. craig lefferts in 98?
September 28, 2006 at 8:33 pm
And 11 hours later, the Phillies and Nationals have gotten underway. Wonder if any fans are there for the 11:30 p.m. ET start.
September 28, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Game is finally starting in D.C.
September 28, 2006 at 8:38 pm
Could the Padres clinch tomorrow night if they win this one? That is if the Dodgers also lose tomorrow. And if so, is it going to be televised on the sporadic MLB Extra Innnings package?
September 28, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Magic number for the division is 4, only 3 for the wild card though. They can clinch a playoff birth tomorrow but the division will have to wait until Saturday.
September 28, 2006 at 8:40 pm
If the Phillies lose tonight and the Padres hold on to this lead and win, and then the Padres win tomorrow and the Dodgers lose, then the Padres would clinch a a playoff spot and a tie for the NL West. Since they win the West in the event of a tie with the Dodgers, then they would have effectively clinched the division.
September 28, 2006 at 8:41 pm
Astros 0.5 game back. Would this be the biggest flop in history?
BTW, where’s that half game?
September 28, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Cards-Giants game rained out and will only be made up if it is meaningful on Monday.
September 28, 2006 at 8:45 pm
if the Astros end up 1/2 game behind or ahead, it will have to be played. Which leaves the possibility of:
Ca