first pitch: 7:10 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Jake Peavy (9-14, 4.17 ERA) vs Brad Penny (16-8, 4.04 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com
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Brad Penny was an All-Star this year but he hasn’t pitched like one since the break. He owns a 5.81 ERA over 12 second-half starts, and opponents are hitting .305 against the power right-hander. Penny has struggled against the Padres this year, sporting a 9.00 ERA in 15 innings against them. That said, he’s won 16 games so he must be doing something right.
For the Pads, Jake Peavy has a 3.77 ERA in the second half of the season. Perhaps more importantly, he’s cut his homers way down, allowing just 7 in 76 1/3 innings. His run support still isn’t the greatest (his 5-6 record since the All-Star break is worse than Penny’s despite having an ERA that is lower by two full points), but at least he’s a lot closer to “vintage Peavy” than what we saw earlier in the year.
Padres have taken two out of the first three at Chavez Ravine to reclaim the NL West lead. Worst case, they leave LA with a split and just a half game back in the division. But nobody is thinking about a split right now.
Wild card is a nice Plan B, but the division is the real prize. Time to go get it. As we like to say around here, winning starts with beginning.
Where’s Matty V.?
I just love that two-thirds of the Dodger fans in attendance were sitting in a line of cars while that was happening.
Wow, Doc still in there. Does Bochy’s faith pay off?
No. But at least not a K.
Never seen that before. But at least we still got a shot at the win. Yawn, past my bedtime.
Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain’t over now. ‘Cause when the goin’ gets tough… the tough get goin’! Who’s with me? Let’s go!
C’mon, Adrian, we need a knock here..
Nice hustle Brian.
How many runs do we need to be safe? 8?
Anyone but Manny please? P-Mac?
The options seem to be: Cassidy, Seanez, Thompson or Sweeney
Good knock, good knock. Now it needs a little love to grow.
I’d put Hensley in
Oh, I’ll take that extra base runner. Thanks.
Cassidy? Thompson?
Come on P-Mac, represent the farm system!
P MAC!
Hensley’s the scheduled starter tomorrow…who would go in his place? Thompson?
Hoffman’s got to start the inning no matter what.
jeez….everything they hit goes for ever, and everything we hit dies at the wall…
Wow, we almost witnessed Pmac history again.
OMG PMac, so close.
Close, but no cigar.
I’m sure my nads will descend back down from my chest cavity in half an hour or so.
We have had such bad luck with gappers and long fly balls.
Masticore, nicknames in all caps followed by exclamation points are reserved for run-scoring plays.
The PMac ball was deep? Gamecenter simply says “fly out to center”.
THE BARD!!!!!!!
Yes! JOSH!!!
P-Mac took Lofton to the wall.
Giles! He’s had a hell of a game.
Boston, I love you!!!!!!!!
Yeeeesssss!!!! I’d like to plant a kiss right on the top of that beautfiul bald head.
Masti, right at the wall.
I’m not comfortable w/ a 1-run lead… but I’d rather have that than a tie game…
Wowser!
Josh Bard…that Red Sox trade just keeps paying dividends.
I hear Boston’s nice this time of year, Mr. Mirabelli…enjoy.
Oh, and Hensley’s back in San Diego, so he’s out.
See, like 676 and 677.
SHAKESPEARE!!!!!
Bard was clutch. Can I put in an order for about seven more runs?
nice RC (680)
Maybe Padres will have babies after tonight
Trevor’s gotta go the 10th
YES!!!
*many
Giles just paid back a portion of his contract by his hustle there.
Goodness sakes, if this goes much longer I may as well just stay up until work…
2AM here on the east cost almost!
Who works the bottom half?
I was joking about Hensley, just to be extreme
Only three players have ever reached 714 posts.
No not Seanez
696: Hoffman’s got to. Maybe Rudy.