IGD: Padres @ Reds (12 Sep 06)
Tue, Sep 12, 2006
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 4:10 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Chris Young (10-5, 3.66 ERA) vs Eric Milton (8-7, 4.95 ERA)
previews: Padres.com
buy tickets
As of this writing, 86 pitchers have worked enough innings to qualify for a big-league ERA title this season. Among those pitchers, Chris Young (86) and Eric Milton (85) are the most extreme fly ball pitchers in baseball. Young is so far out of line with the rest of the pack that he’s in danger of losing his planet status.
As it was last season, Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati is the second easiest NL park in which to hit a homer this year. You’ve got to believe there are better places for a guy like Milton to try and earn a living. Hey, don’t look at me; I’m not his agent.
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.
September 12, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Geoff, you meant the Reds.
September 12, 2006 at 3:47 pm
GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! Yep, Reds it is. Sigh…
September 12, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Just to be clear, #2 was directed at myself, not Didi. Thanks for the catch; I’ll fix that as soon as I have a chance (hopefully before the game ends).
September 12, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Good afternoon! Anyone in front of a TV? I’m trying to get a gage on the rain situation.
September 12, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Clear skys…for now.
The field is Nasty Sloppy. Puddles all over the outfield and the IF looks like a mud puddle.
Should be an interesting game.
September 12, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Thanks, CM! Lets hope no one gets injured…on our team.
September 12, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Okay, how do you let Hatteberg steal a base?
September 12, 2006 at 4:25 pm
You have Piazza behind the plate. Love the bat, love the guy, but it’s rare when he catches a guy stealing.
September 12, 2006 at 4:27 pm
And Piazza makes up for it in a big way.
September 12, 2006 at 4:28 pm
That was a “wooooo” hit.
Man he punished that baseball…
I think they call that Prodigious Power.
September 12, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Ben Johnson goes down to get it…a double for Big Ben.
He is a good ball player. It is too bad that we have to say goodbye to DR to get this guy everyday playing time.
He reminds me of a Reggie Sanders…only w/o the nagging injuries.
September 12, 2006 at 4:34 pm
The Reds announcer just hit the nail on the head with Bellhorn: “You look at the stats for this guy and you say ‘he can’t hit’.” Unfortunately, he then offered a disclaimer, that Bellhorn could get hot and carry the team over two weeks, or something. He should have just stuck with his initial judgment.
September 12, 2006 at 4:41 pm
Good to see C-Y is in good form!
September 12, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Young just walked the pitcher on four pitches. I have no words for how bad that is.
September 12, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Fearsome bottom third of the order tonight.
September 12, 2006 at 4:55 pm
What’s with the balls CY kept throwing? Good thing Hatteberg popped out in the infield.
Now get Aurilia out.
September 12, 2006 at 4:56 pm
#3: No problem, Geoff. We got your back.
September 12, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Bochy must not want Branyan getting a big head, with the newspaper stories and actually hitting the ball. 3 HR in 32 at-bats and he’s on the bench.
Not one strike to Milton, what the hell is that?
September 12, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Arggh.
September 12, 2006 at 4:59 pm
There you go, Chris. Screw around in this ballpark and you’re behind in a hurry.
September 12, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Is Chris getting squeezed or he just can’t throw strikes?
September 12, 2006 at 5:00 pm
He just can’t throw strikes.
September 12, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Maybe the mound is too slippery. Didn’t look that way the first 2 innings though.
September 12, 2006 at 5:01 pm
* non-right down the middle of the plate strikes.
September 12, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Let’s Go, Adrian.
September 12, 2006 at 5:10 pm
Was that RF out from Bellhorn almost out of the park?
September 12, 2006 at 5:10 pm
This lineup is scary bad against lefties.
September 12, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Go Manny Alexander. Go, man, go.
September 12, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Yeah, it was against the wall. The Reds announcers think it was a product of the GABP.
September 12, 2006 at 5:15 pm
The Padres is 11th in the NL against lefties with OPS of .749, with the Giants being worse in the NL West.
September 12, 2006 at 5:18 pm
That’s still better than against righties at .742 OPS, good for 14th in the NL. If not for the pitching, the Padres is nowhere since the team cannot score runs, in the bottom third of the league for that category.
September 12, 2006 at 5:20 pm
Help your own cause, Chris. This is the place to do it.
Good job at the bottom of 4th.
September 12, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Nice AB, though, 9 pitches. Alright, Cameron.
Let’s go, Mike.
September 12, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Good work with that stat, Didi. I would have though they are a lot worse, because this means Bellhorn and Alexander starting, Roberts on the bench, and Gonzalez and Giles hitting much worse. Plus Mike Cameron and Josh Barfield are not leadoff hitters, and those are the choices against lefties.
September 12, 2006 at 5:25 pm
There’s another hit to right that was 5 feet away from going out.
September 12, 2006 at 5:26 pm
That was an ugly swing on the first pitch.
September 12, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Aargh, first pitch out after a walk.
Man, that’s two first pitch out from Barfield.
Rookie, don’t follow the example of Vinny. Please.
I’m out. Going home. Go Padres!
September 12, 2006 at 5:37 pm
re:31
No offense to the Padres pitching, but their strength is their fielding, which is first in the National League.
September 12, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Meantime, LA is pounding the hapless Cubs, 6-0 in the middle of the 2nd inning.
September 12, 2006 at 5:42 pm
can’t ignore park effects when assessing the offense.
September 12, 2006 at 5:43 pm
did they mispell McAnulty’s name on his jersey? it think it says “MCANLUTY”
September 12, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Yeah, I just rewound it. Classic.
September 12, 2006 at 5:46 pm
wow. fantastic AB by McAnluty.
September 12, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Nice doubel by McAnluty
September 12, 2006 at 5:47 pm
that was Cultch
September 12, 2006 at 5:48 pm
The Padres are 15th in the league in runs. They are seventh in road runs. They are 16th (last) in home runs, runs at home, not long balls. Park effects.
September 12, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Looks like Seldge got a hit, too.
September 12, 2006 at 5:51 pm
good to see that AAAA talent paying dividends
September 12, 2006 at 5:52 pm
nice job by P Mac and Sledge
who is coming in for Alexander? Blummer?
September 12, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Is there any reason Bellhorn is even on th team with pMac and Tsledge around? Too bad we can’t take them to the playoffs, or can we. Not sure how that works. You can see thosetwo young guy have desire. Bellhorn is just playing out his career string for service time, or so it seems, just another DV.
September 12, 2006 at 5:57 pm
The Padres are last in home OPS (.703). They are SECOND in road OPS (.787) to the Mets. They are 13th in overall OPS (.744). Park effects.
September 12, 2006 at 5:59 pm
PM — that’s an interesting point . . . service time. He had 8 years going into this year. So, you figure, show up, K every 3 ABs and collect your $800K.
Well, somebody loves him: (or is obsessed, maybe)
http://www.markbellhorn.net/
September 12, 2006 at 6:01 pm
That last play should not count toward service time.
September 12, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Milton left game with stiffness in his left elbow.
September 12, 2006 at 6:03 pm
nice defensive play by the pads. Not sure if it was on purpose, but they deked Encarnacion into thinking the throw was going home, but Barfield cut it off while standing on 2nd hence holding both runners with one throw.
September 12, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Its the curs of Bellhorn, strike outs in key moments, errors at third loadng basebases and if a run scores, Cly’s streak is over. Send thisguy packng. At least Vinny could play third!!!! I’ve got some comments to leave on that Bellhorn site, too. Ok, Cly pulled us ou but thanks to Bellhorn.
September 12, 2006 at 6:04 pm
SUHWEEET. Scoreless streak intact.
September 12, 2006 at 6:04 pm
wow. Meredith’s streak lives.
September 12, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Meredith: 33 consecutive scoreless innings.
September 12, 2006 at 6:06 pm
I don’t think Barfield cut the throw off. Cameron was trying to double the guy off second for a double play.
September 12, 2006 at 6:08 pm
a side note: Give the bullpen an assist for that lead run. I don’t think CY would have been pinch-hit for so early if not for such a deep and reliable pen
September 12, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Wow, the Padre clubhouse looks like the Admirals Club at the airport for first class (LAX). Its pictured on the Bellhorn worship site (52). No matter, the guy is toast, batting under the Mendoza line. Maybe he can play O line for the Raiders new week, the need some help.
September 12, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Cameron definitely threw to second, but when I saw the replay it seemed kinda like Barfield purposely waited till the last second to poke his glove out and receive the throw, to give the illusion that the throw was gonna pass him.
September 12, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Unfortunately, Bellhorn stays on the team and continues to get playing time because he can hit right-handed. Walker and Branyan both are lefties and struggle against lefties, so there really are no better options than Bellhorn, as pathetic as that is.
September 12, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Had to leave the computer for a few mins — left with the bases loaded and one out. Great to see “Claw” and the Pads were able to come through!!
Nice . ..
September 12, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Holy Mark Bellhorn obsession, Batman!
That website is nuts!
PM where on the site are the Pads’ clubhouse pictures? Didn’t see them . .
September 12, 2006 at 6:38 pm
Linebrink’s streak of consecutive non-1-2-3 innings is alive.
September 12, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Damn. A couple of bleeders.
September 12, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Didn’t he go 1-2-3 in both innings when he pitched against san francisco in the extra innings game? Wow, Linebrink gave up a slow bouncer to third that Bellhorn screwed up, a single into right by Dunn, and then another slow bouncer, and that’s enough for a run.
September 12, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Maybe he did. But he should not be the eighth inning guy any longer.
September 12, 2006 at 6:45 pm
That’s pretty crappy. Darn.
Blum, Cameron, Giles. C’mon boys, let’s get it done. . .
September 12, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Based on that inning? Based on a lineout to second, an infield single misplayed by Bellhorn, a single into right, a slow roller to second, and a K? I think he pitched well that inning, except for the pitch to Dunn.
Yeah, you’re probably right, though. Meredith has been a lot better, but I like that Meredith can be used whenever instead of being locked into the 8th inning role.
September 12, 2006 at 6:52 pm
No, based on the 2006 season. He hasn’t been very good.
September 12, 2006 at 7:00 pm
http://www.releasebellhornnow.com
September 12, 2006 at 7:02 pm
$8 and I could have that domain…might be worth it as a rant site to vent my anger at this guy.
September 12, 2006 at 7:12 pm
YOU’RE LETTING BELLHORN HIT AGAINST A RIGHT HANDED PITCHER?!?!?! WHEN YOU HAVE BOTH TODD WALKER AND RUSSELL BRANYAN ON THE BENCH?!?!?!
September 12, 2006 at 7:12 pm
I’m thinking that Bellhorn has naked pictures of Bochy’s wife, or something. How else does he keep getting playing time?
September 12, 2006 at 7:13 pm
And how does Weathers manage to walk him? Thank you very much.
September 12, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Because Bochy is not very good at his job.
September 12, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Thankfully a walk. Phew!
September 12, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Walking Bellhorn is the functional equivalent of throwing a first pitch strike to Vinny.
September 12, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Here’s hoping Bard gets it done. We just burned Walker and Gonzalez.
September 12, 2006 at 7:23 pm
I think the announcer said five different players have hit in the No. 8 spot for the Padres tonight. That’s actually smart, if they are trying to keep Alexander’s and Blum’s at-bats down by pinch-hitting for them a lot. I’ll give Bochy some credit.
September 12, 2006 at 7:24 pm
The problem is that we’re stuck with Blum and Bellhorn hitting for themselves in extra innings.
September 12, 2006 at 7:28 pm
They should be pinch-hit for as much as possible.
September 12, 2006 at 7:35 pm
#83: That is correct, although 10 players have actually occupied that spot tonight: Alexander, McAnulty, Meredith, Embree, Knott, Linebrink, Adkins, Walker, Bard, Brocail
#85: Agreed, but Cust is the only position player left on the bench and the Reds still have three left-handers in the bullpen.
September 12, 2006 at 7:36 pm
Khalil’s injury is proving to be a huge limiting factor.
September 12, 2006 at 7:40 pm
It looks like it will take a HR to win this game.
September 12, 2006 at 7:41 pm
But at least the Dodgers are tied with the Cubbies. However, the $15 Million Marlins can’t be stopped apparently.
September 12, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Bruce, it was supposed to be one of *our* guys hitting the homer. Nice going.
September 12, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Why do I really hate Linebrink and Bellhorn right now?
September 12, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Aw, Bruce, it wasn’t your fault!
Nice job on the comments tonight, guys … I’m just now checking in … and #45 and #53 and #67 had me ROTFLOL …
After all the laughter, losing in extra innings in mid-Sept hurts a bunch …
September 12, 2006 at 7:51 pm
How can you expect to win anything with a loser like Bellhorn on your team?!!! All season long we have been looking at first, now we may not even hang on to the wildcard. This team is utterly pathetic at the plate. Ths lose really hurts. Where is cameron, where is Giles to pick up the team? No where. Imagine the team wo Piazza!!! Christ of a crutch, this one hurts.
September 12, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Josh Howard’s RBI single in the ninth inning lifted Lake Elsinore over visiting Inland Empire, 4-3, in Game 3 of the California League South Division Finals on Monday.
The Storm were facing elimination after dropping the first two games of the best-of-5 series, but survived to force Game 4.
Game 4 of the series is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday at The Diamond. — Eric Justic/MLB.com
—
An amazing box score … the Storm scored 2 in bottom of 8th and 1 in bottom of 9th to win it … they drew *14* walks … yet only scored 4 runs … hmmm, must be an organizational thing?
http://tinyurl.com/kbmzw
September 12, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Easing the sting of losing this game is my Dodger fan friend threatening to throw his new laptop through the window if the Dodgers manage to lose their game to the Cubs. Something to root for at least.
September 12, 2006 at 7:59 pm
Oops, I just realized that that Storm game was YESTERDAY … they are 0-0 in bottom of 3rd in tonight’s Game 4 …
Headley with 2 GIDP yesterday
September 12, 2006 at 8:23 pm
On a brutal night, couple thoughts… First, just wanted to echo LM…especially when the Padres play back east, working late often means I miss most or all of the game. So I come home, go to a play-by-play site on half my screen and the IGD on the other half and catch up. There are almost always several LOL moments. So thanks to all you ‘Snorters out there for making if more enjoyable.
Second, the first 3 games of the Storm playoff series have all been 1-run games. Exciting stuff.
Lastly, Bochy drives me nuts. How izzit that your designated #1 guy in the pen (even if he’s actually #2) never gets in this game. OK, you want him to get the save. And as long as you have solid options, you can justify that. The pen has been so good that I can see letting Adkins out there. Maybe, just maybe, Brocail, too, although that’s more than a little marginal. But when the choice is Brocail for a 2nd inning or Hoffy, c’mon.
September 12, 2006 at 8:31 pm
I’m actually a fan of Barry Bonds, the on-field player … so I enjoyed this article … http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/arti.....L36S61.DTL …
September 12, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Headley HR’s to make it 3-0 Storm in 6th …
September 12, 2006 at 8:57 pm
That was a tough loss. On a brighter note, here’s a sneak peak of my new gig for the commenters:
http://www.knucklecurve.com/
September 12, 2006 at 9:13 pm
Well it appears that the damage is being mitigated. Izturis beats his old club in extra innings in what could only be a painful loss for the Dodgers and the Mets have come back to take the lead against the Fish in the 8th.
September 12, 2006 at 9:14 pm
GY … what does “new gig for the commenters” mean?
September 12, 2006 at 9:17 pm
re: 101 … and I think the rainout of the Phillies game is good news … they’ll have to double up, I s’pose …
September 12, 2006 at 9:35 pm
LM: Sorry, what I meant to say was, “For the commenters, here’s a sneak peak at my new gig” — giving y’all the heads-up first.
September 12, 2006 at 10:47 pm
GY … so, uh, whatcha need a “new gig” for? We’re not enough for you???