first pitch: 11:20 a.m. PT
television: none WGN
matchup: Greg Maddux (1-1, 3.18 ERA) vs Wade Miller (0-1, 13.50 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com
What a bizarre schedule. Night game in LA, followed by two in Chicago, followed by another back home. Seems like there should be an off-day somewhere — Monday would have been a good time for that.
Ex-Cub Greg Maddux goes for win #335 Tuesday afternoon at Wrigley. After what Jason Marquis did to the Padres last night, I’m reluctant to say anything negative about this afternoon’s starter, Wade Miller.
Here’s to better times. Go Padres!
273 Comments
Alright, I’ll go first. Need to see some life today. I hate losing streaks not just for what they do to your record but for what they do to your mental outlook for the team. This is just a two-gamer but feels like longer due to the 3 blowout losses in 4 games thing.
Last night’s IGD got out of hand due to one loser with nothing better to do than to ruin someone else’s good thing. Is there a way for the DS community to self-police? I’m thinking about the nights Geoff is actually at the games or is otherwise living his non-DS life. In other words, Geoff can’t always be watching…maybe some of the DS-lifers who’ve been around longer than me (probably folks with their own blogs who know how it works) could be “on-call” for those nights and have the keys to the site to take care of stuff like that. Maybe drastic measures aren’t really necessary, but it’s just top of mind after last night. Other option could be to make this a pay-to-post site, but that probably stop the random newbies who find the site and have something meaningful to say and end up sticking around.
Whatever, I’m probably over-reacting to a one-time thing anyway.
A slightly disturbing comment from Randy Ready (Missions MGR) as quoted from the SA Express:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/baseball/missions/stories/MYSA041607.05D.MissionsReport.325bea9.html
“Change up: With the exception of closer Neil Jamison, Ready plans to give his pitching staff experience in a variety of roles.
“We’re going to give them an opportunity to have a little time in different situations.” ”
I surely hope this doesn’t screw with the minds of the rising young starters (esp Thompson and Ekstrom) on the team.
These guys can get whacked out by some seemingly little things. Look at what happened to Stauffer. The guy seems like he has no business in organized ball (let alone AAA) yet look where he was 1-2 years ago.
Looks like the game is on WGN
Good catch, Anthony. Same cannot be said of Murton’s effort there. We’ll take it.
Better start than yesterday already. C’mon Greeney.
By the way, if I’m a little behind, I’m listening on XM at work.
Damn, that was a really nice play by Kouz.
Yeah it was
Kouz is one of 4 NL third basemen without an error so far this season (among qualified players)
1t Jose Bautista Pit 1.000 ( 36/36 )
1t Scott Rolen StL 1.000 ( 25/25 )
1t Wilson Betemit LAD 1.000 ( 20/20 )
1t Kevin Kouzmanoff SD 1.000 ( 16/16 )
5 Chad Tracy Ari .975 ( 39/40 )
6 David Wright NYM .969 ( 31/32 )
7 Edwin Encarnacion Cin .966 ( 28/29 )
8 Pedro Feliz SF .963 ( 26/27 )
9 Miguel Cabrera Fla .962 ( 25/26 )
10 Aramis Ramirez ChC .950 ( 19/20 )
Maddux looks good so far. They got a run but only one ball was hit hard.
Liking what Marcus is doing in the leadoff spot. 2 knocks already.
NOG with 7 game hit streak … and 10 of 11 … 4 BBs is a bit low …
chyronbob…the problem is that he has missed some balls that he “should” have gotten…granted, he has also made some nice plays, but overall he has looked like an average 3 Bagger…
Sounds/looks like I missed some fireworks in last night’s IGD…that is what I get for traveling.
Average is better than what we were led to believe.
Kouz looks a lot better on D then we were led to believe-I don’t doubt that he is going to be average defensively.
Now if we’re talking about a league average starting pitcher-those seem to be awfully tough to come by
on NOG-if he is going to hit .310+ then I won’t complain much about the lack of BB.
Wow Cameron with a hit
13 – not so much fireworks as random juvenile deciding to post offensive stuff
Cameron has looked so bad at the plate this season…I hope last night off helps….he has been dipping his shoulder and dropping his hands way to much.
Love his speed tagging up on that fly…
If Kouz can give us a .975-.980ish pct at 3B, I’d be satisfied.
Wow, a Padre hitter getting the runner to third with less than 2 outs! Haven’t seen enough of that this young season…
I am watching the game on MLB TV…I think it is the WGN feed, but Mud Grant is doing some color for them…is that right?
Yep, Grant’s sitting in with the WGN crew, reminiscing with Bob Brenly
Yep, I can see Mud in the booth.
2 out hit would be nice about now.
Bowen – 3 for 6 career with bases loaded. Come on now!
Is Miller just way off or getting squeezed? (watching the gamecast, hard to tell)
for those not watching, or who don’t know Mud is from Chicago
He’s all over the place-and the Cubs fans/announcers seem to think that he should get every border line call
I can’t believe he caught that ball. I thought Bowen had 2 ribbies there.
A shame. Bowen did everything right in that ab.
Bowen has had a couple hits taken away by outfield dives this road trip.
Pads are 1 for 9 with bases loaded this season – gotta do better than that when runs are at a premium.
Padres showed a lot of patience and Bowen hit the ball on the screws. Definitely an improvement over what we’ve seen lately.
Miller is overreacting to pitches off the plate…
I really thought Bowen had the RBI’s coming…
I love watching Mad Dog pitch…
Whoops…boot job by NOG
Man…I am sorry, but we cannot throw a runner out…
Allowed 17 SB in 18 attempts now.
Did the staff just collectively decide they’re not going to bother holding runners? It seems like they run on everybody.
We have to prove we can hold guys on and throw them out or it’s going to be one long track meet all season.
He may have reason to complain about that last pitch to OG
Maddux – 50 pitches entering the 4th. Need quick outs to get him past the 6th inning
Thru 3 1/2 innings …
Pitches-strikes – G Maddux 50-30; W Miller 81-43.
Ground balls-fly balls – G Maddux 5-4; W Miller 4-6.
Batters faced – G Maddux 13; W Miller 20.
Not sure that holding runners on being a problem is much of a surprise….Maddux and Young are both notoriously easy to run on and its not like we have a decent defensive catcher in the organization at this point
6 straight ground balls for Maddux – good stuff.
Thru 4 full …
Pitches-strikes – G Maddux 64-38; W Miller 81-43.
Ground balls-fly balls – G Maddux 8-4; W Miller 4-6.
Batters faced – G Maddux 16; W Miller 20.
Looking good for 6IP from Maddux and then Meredith, Linebrink and Hoffman
Two on. Like to cash in here and get some more runs.
Khalil drew a walk!
That’s a very generous inside corner.
Nice to see the Cubs announcers make the point that the strike 3 pitch to Sledge hasn’t been called a strike for anyone all game
Was that Khalil’s first walk of the year? Amazing.
2 walks for Greenie this season
First one was intentional
52: yep, just checked that, must have missed that BB against the Giants
Again with Cameron? Oy.
Cameron’s looking like an $ss-clown out there thus far… come-on, position your body so the ball is out of the sun – this isn’t that TOUGH!
I think it would be helpful if Cameron at least played good D if he is going to hit .150-losing fly balls is getting kind of old
Hope losing the fly ball doesn’t cost them a 2nd game this year
That run can be charged to Cameron.
I know that Cameron is going to come around, but seriously – WTF?
Guys. Pujols is still hitting well under .200. Cameron was our best player last year. Let’s not run him out of town over fewer than 15 games.
Honestly, the game shouldn’t even be close. Can’t give a big-league team this many opportunities.
I don’t think anyone said anything about running him out of town, or even benching him…..but come on he’s got to be able to play some basic baseball, like catching fly balls and advancing a base on a wild pitch
That was a pretty bad pitch that Lee hit. Almost down the middle on 1-2. And Maddux again not interested in holding runners.
We’re at that point with Maddux
2006
Pitches 61-75 .307 avg
Pitches 76-90 .366 avg
two SB’s for DLee today…
we should see some more pitch-outs and throw overs in the coming games
After 5 full …
Pitches-strikes – G Maddux 83-51; W Miller 98-54.
Ground balls-fly balls – G Maddux 9-6; W Miller 4-8.
Batters faced – G Maddux 23; W Miller 25.
Agreed, it’s too early to panic. That said, I’m noticing a couple real disturbing trends on defense. First, Cameron has not been getting the kinds of jumps we’re used to seeing him get. Second, I’m tired of watching opponents steal bases at will against our pitchers. I think Cameron will come around; not so sure about the pitchers.
C’mon, let’s make them pay for their mistakes.
Or not.
Nice to watch us try to throw this game away. Blown bunt and GIDP.
Wow.
Hindsight and all that, by why would you bunt there and have Brian Giles hitting against a lefty needing a well hit ball to score him?
I don’t have to reaffirm my Padres allegience, but Felix Pie is an exciting player. It is no wonder so many people are so high on him. And I won’t lie, I wasn’t one of them. I thought he had a better chance to be Ruben Rivera than the future all star he looks like today.
I think you bunt because Marcus has done it successfully this year and it avoids the DP.
Brian had been swinging the bat well this year, so it’s not too much to expect him to be able to hit a deep fly.
The Claw in now?
Looks like Black is looking for 2 IP from Meredith-he is so much more aggresive with his bullpen usage then Bochy ever was
wow. kouz flashing some leather. nice to see
Two more nice plays by Kouz.
I hope Cammy has a good sense of humor. Not his week.
More runners in scoring position. Opportunity knocks again.
Is it just me or does Cotts look an awful lot like Clay Hensley (at least in his picture on the Padres website).
Khalil walks again!
Wierd game.
Wooo! Another walk for Greene.
Cotts’ picture also has him looking a lot like Johnney Depp
PF4L…just wondering…have you ever seen Johnny Depp and Neil Cotts in the same place at the same time?
2 walks for Greenie – last time: June 5, 2006 at Milwaukee
CM, I think we may have just stumbled onto the most intriguing conspiracy in the 21st century! I knew something was going on the minute I woke up this morning!
Is it just me or does Kouz seem to have a good eye for balls just off the outside corner of the plate?
And, as I am typing, he goes ahead and K’s…fitting.
13 base runners in 7 innings! And three runs. Very frustrating.
15 LOB today? ouch!
any time you have to advertise the new movie that you’re in by soliciting hits to a “myspace” page, well, your career’s pretty much done…
Some of the hitters have just looked atrocious. Slow bats, bad pitch recognition. Did they all eat at the same bad restaurant in Chicago?
92: must be the deep dish. that stuff can slow down anyone, but it’s just too good to stop eating!
Well, is Lee off to the races again?
Stupid lead-off walks…please, give me a GIDP
I don’t know if it was mentioned yet, but B-Law is about to be waived byt eh Rox according to a report on MLBTR. Apparently he got creamed in AAA rehab. I actually liked him while he was here but it always seemd like he was on the cusp of being pretty good but never quite getting there. I hope the Pad’s don’t look at him.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
CM, you got what you asked for!
Ask and you shall receive, CM!
Anything else you would like to request, Mike?
4-6-3
Thank you Waiter.
All our frustrations can be salved here with a run and Trevor Time. To the ninth!
Could that bounce have been any better for the Cubbies?
Ball. In Air. Medium Deep.
Okay KG – prove to me that I was wrong last year – you can be clutch…
How many times are we going to miss that cement roller slider?
UGH!
C’mon Sledge.
C’mon Kouz!
Seriously. Wertz has thrown that pitch 75% of the time and almost every time when he’s got 2 strikes. What are these guys doing on the bench, having bubble blowing contests?
The offense sure looks better under Merv the Wonder Dog.
Blum batting for Kouz? We’ve reached a new low…
Why Blum, why?
Oh gosh, that’s a total Blummer.
He’s not seriously putting Blum up there for Kouzmanoff, is he?
What is the love affair with Blum, Buddy???
WHAT THE HELL? How can you do this, Black? How can anyone be this stupid?
Talk about a weird, weird decision. Why does every manager always love Blum?
Blum in for Kouz? Ouch!!! I would have definitely stuck with the kid
This is going to be a blummish on Bud’s resume…
Since I’m not watching the game, can anyone help me out with how Cameron doesn’t score from first on a “double to deep right” per the gamecast?
I know how this AB is going to end….wait Blum actually made contact
Blum didn’t deliver? Shocking
I just went Eric Cartman!!!!
But he had the platoon advantage! Can’t let KK face a righty.
Man that was predictable.
Shocking. I am stunned. How could Geoff Blum, our 13th best hitter, fail with the game on the line like that?
Geeze, I think his brain’s gone blum…
He should be cut, so Black can’t use him.
#119: Ball took a crazy bounce right back to Murton.
Padre Nation collectively shakes its head in disbelief.
119: one helluva fortunate karom off the wall in the right field corner. Cameron would have been out by a mile.
119: Very nice bounce off of the side wall right to the retreating Cubs’ outfielder.
Not that Kouz is ripping the cover off the ball, but why not Branyan? or better yet, P-Mac? Cruz Jr? LaForest? Hell, Bud, grab a stick and go up yourself before ph’ing Blum!
131: Pmac – already used. Cruz Jr – already used. Personally, I say put D-Wells up and tell him to lean his gut into a pitch….
Well, P-Mac had already PH, as had Cruz Jr. So, he only made the fourth worst decision (out of 4 possible ones) in sending up Blum. (Kouz, Branyan, LaForest).
This is silly. Where was that 2-2 pitch?
OUCH!!!!
Got another another much needed DP. If we could only get a much needed clutch hit
132 – ok. I’ve been in meetings since early in the game and didn’t go back and look at the play by play for each inning.
I would seriously rather see Jake Peavy over Blum in that situation. Certainly I’d rather see Branyan against a lefty.
KT needs to start looking for another backup infielder. What’s Royce Clayton doing? Neifi Perez? Damian Jackson? Mario Mendoza even.
Liney up 2nd this inning…bench would still have Branyan and LaForest on it, right?
On the bright side, the Cubs used up their LOOGY on Blum. Suckers!
We cannot lose this game. We can’t get swept by Chicago. We desparately need some momentum going home.
See? That’s all Blum had to do. Should’ve used Branyan.
Don’t anybody dare say Neifi Perez. An exclamation point or three on your house!!!
NOG is the hottest hitter on the club right now
Does Bud pull a Bochy and bunt NOG here?
Okay, so here’s the good news. Marcus Giles has been a great addition. Sure, not as much speed, but solid defense (save the semi-lazy turn last night) and definitely a good aggressive approach at the plate (which works for him).
How on earth does that happen
Branyan needs to have a little talk with Jeremy Giambi about sliding home.
For the visually challenged…what the hey just happened?
This is driving me insane. I can’t believe we’re not leading right now.
Eh, if Branyan doesn’t get sent home, it’s not like they would have gotten him in anyway. A double play would have been inevitable.
Not much you can do about that. Pie made a perfect throw and Branyan is just too slow to score. Had to hope for a bad throw or a collision.
15 LOB…
149: Giles single to CF. Great throw nails a [poorly] sliding Branyan at home by a 1/2 step.
Not liking the way this is setting up — Pie is up second…
155 – anyone see that name (Pie) and think of Tony’s horse on the Sopranos a few seasons ago (Pie-o-my)?
ok, me neither
I’m glad I’m at work and not able to watch this evolving travesty. Just following along on MLB Gameday is making me sick. Can someone tell me if Khalil even came close to putting the ball in play with runners on 2nd and 3rd w/1 out in the 9th?
158: Not very. Looked like he didn’t know Wertz could even throw a slider.
158: That would be a no
At least Bell held it down. What’s worse for me is that I’m stuck with the Cubs broadcase on XM
Eh, I’ve gone through all the stages of anger and I’m just at acceptance now. We’ve had 10 more runners than the Cubs, our pitching has been awesome, and I don’t believe in clutch hitting, so I’ll just chalk this up to bad luck when/if we inevitably lose. What’s more concerning is that Black apparently thinks Blum can hit.
Nice belly flop, Aramis.
Yeah, seriously, these are situations where I would much rather have Tood Walker on the bench. At least he’s a bonafide hitter…
But Walker hits left-handed! Surely he can never face the mythical southpaw beasts!
Yipee…Take a seat…you can’t hit this meat.
Heath Bell blows away Derek Lee with the 97 mph fastball.
If we get out of this inning it’s a miracle.
As we saw with Vinny last year, you only have 25 roster spots and if you fill even one of those spots with a guy who isn’t major league quality, it’s going to cost you.
Blummer coming up with the grounder…well, that is better than last year!
Wow, great job by Bell. I hope he’s got another inning in him. Or two.
Bell’s pitched very nicely.
Time to rock Dempster
We need to end this now. And I don’t mean like one run. I mean like 8.
Last position player.
I love that Pete is the last man…I hate losing a game in extras with additional bullets in the gun…always feels like you could have done more.
Let’s go Pete!!!
Leitner and Maser just commented on the 16 LOB’s. They are astounded like everyone else.
Swings like that just are not going to get it done…that was a Bugs Bunny like swing.
And then he goes and flies out to shallow center…quality.
what’s happened with Greene?
C’mon NOG!
all the various gamecasts are all effed up. Yahoo and ESPN both show this game as over in the 5th inning, 1-0 Cubs. Which makes absolutely no sense of course, b/c the Cubs never even led 1-0. So, please to update the action for those of us still chained to our desks!
Wow, so close and yet so far! must have been a nice snag!
Great, NOG got robbed. Defensive plays are killing us today.
Holy Carp Batman…what a save.
I have a bad feeling…get thrown out at the plate in the 10th…now the diving play by DeRosa…silly.
3-3 Bottom 12
New rule in the clubhouse. You are NOT allowed to listen to anybody in the media that says the Pad’s can’t hit (even if it is true). It is screwing with their heads, I am convinced. These guys are better than this!
179 … when Yahoo flakes out (like today), I go to baseballdirect …
http://baseballdirect.com/scoreboard/index.html
… somehow, they never seem to be flaked out … and they’ve got a good web site.
Pads bully: 6 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K. Outstanding effort. The MLB Gameday one is still working…(that’s what I’m following).
That’s 10 consecutive goose eggs for the Padres this afternoon …
Glad to know that Brocail knows how to shut down Jacques when he needs to…He had been 4-for-7 before that AB….
Scary that our Bullpen is so good…I just hope we get it done in the 13th. With no more hitters on the bench, we may be in deep doodoo if it goes much longer.
Here’s the play by play on Yahoo’s gamecast…apparently that Rob Bowen guy is so awesome, he plays for both teams.
Bottom 1st: Chi Cubs
- R. Bowen grounded out to second
- R. Bowen singled to third
- R. Theriot stole second
- R. Bowen flied out to center
Top 4th: San Diego
- R. Bowen struck out looking
Bottom 4th: Chi Cubs
- R. Bowen grounded out to pitcher
- R. Bowen grounded out to shortstop
- R. Bowen grounded out to third
Top 5th: San Diego
- R. Bowen fouled out to catcher
- R. Bowen singled to right
- R. Bowen walked, A. Gonzalez to second
- R. Bowen struck out looking
- R. Bowen flied out to center
Bottom 5th: Chi Cubs
- R. Bowen doubled to right center
- R. Bowen lined out to shortstop
- R. Bowen doubled to deep left center, H. Blanco scored
LOL Clayton…
By the way, Brocail is looking better than I remember him…that was a nice high FB to get the K!
186 – Good call El Jefe
I believe we have reached a tipping point in the season.
That made my heart skip a beat
Hit the weight room DeRosa…you are a big sissy.
my espn gamecast was replaying one inning over and over. Marcus Giles racked up the same hit over and over…the boxcore showed him at 6 for 9 with his average up over .350.
We may yet get to see Peavy swing the lumber …
I think that the wind just stole one back for us. That looked crushed off the bat.
It really was Marsh…that should have gone out. He hit it square, but we were due to get lucky, weren’t we?
RE: 192
If by “tipping” you mean tipping a cocktail, if they lose this one, I will be doing that the second I get home … multiple times.
Nice Pick!!! DLee flashing the leather like a Gold Glover.
can someone please get on in front of A-Gon? The dude’s 4 for 6 with only 1 RBI for chrissake.
Good to see that Cameron runs hard constantly…he might be missing everything at the plate and looking like an “Average” CF right now, but he is always going 100%. I love that.
OK, how about a bomb AGon?
This is not good for my heart.
Carp…I did not mean a Stink Bomb…
How long can we hold out…the bubble gum plugging the holes has got to give at some point.
I’m in a bar in the hotel in Chicago. Just got in. I didn’t try to get tickets, since I couldn’t get here in time. Had I known they’d go 13… I do have tickets for Sunday for the Cubs/Cards game. 1st trip to Wrigley.
It is really a cool place LaMar…I watched John Lieber take a No-No into the 8th, but Andres Galaraga hit a BOMB to dead center to end the bid…
The Bleacher Bums are really a piece of work…
I would recommend watching “Wrigleyville” if you can before you go. Very good little documentary about the Cubbies…I especially loved the 10 mins they spend on the 1984 playoffs and how much Cub fans hate the Padres.
This has been quite a mix of tenacity and futility on both sides.
31 pitches for Brocail. I’m betting that we don’t see him next inning?
the bullpen has been awesome today, but thinking ahead, they are going to be gassed. Linebrink, Meredith, and Bell each threw two today, with Brocail out there for his 2nd now. Not the way I want to head into the series with Arizona and then in COL this weekend.
That is 2 innings in a row that ended with deep fly balls to the wall…thank goodness for the wind. Here’s hoping that Brocail is done for the afternoon.
well said Anthony…
Yup, have to be a bit worried about the bully. But, also, the cubbies are down to only one person left in their bullpen (according to their announcers).
correction, the cubbies are now out of unused relievers…
Way to go Kahlil!
GET HIM IN!
Nice shot KG…OK Pads…NOW.
clutch up NOW
Anyone think Crudge missed the sign? Also, Pads could go 11 consecutive innings without scoring, but still win this?
think pull!
ugh!!
Come on Blummer
Come on Geoff! Don’t pull a Blum!
be the ball Danny, nanananana
“Just once this season Blummer”
OK, OK, now we’re talkin’
Finally!!!
BOUT FREAKING TIME!!!!!!!!
YAHOO…Nice misplay by Jones and the Pads take the lead.
Let’s go Padres Let’s Go! Let’s go Padres Let’s Go! Let’s go Padres Let’s Go!
YES!
Blum! Wait – cubs announcers just said that Blum is a big-time clutch hitter…
Peavy on deck!!!
Can’t use Boomer and his belly, I just heard he is home in SD resting for tomorrow!
Peavy is legit on deck?
Also, how does the portion of the Cubs line-up due up fare against Trevor?
Hard to be pissed at Bowen – considering he’s caught 13 full innings already….
Trevor Time
Pinch hitting with a starting pitcher – that has to be a bit surreal for Bud Black after years in the AL.
Not that he did anything today, but has anyone come up with a good nickname for Jake? I have heard the “Alabama slamma” and this is a cool handle, but I am not sure he is awarded this moniker just yet. If he has another 2004 & 2005 in 07 then I would think he is worthy
good thing this is the 14th inning, else he probably would be drenched with beer right now…
K
Death
Bummer!
whats going on now?
Jason Marquis as a PR
Wind Blown double
C’mon Trevor, shut it down!
Wow – I guess I’m a little more sympathetic for Cameron on this one (looked like it was drilled off the bat), but seriously, their outfielder isn’t a gold-glover and he’s not having these problems!
So wait – aren’t the cubbies out of men on their bench? What happens now if the game is extended? Does Marquis go and play first base?
PM a wind aided double to shallow center. High fly to left now and Sledge makes the catch. Com on Trevor, get this last guy!
Two outs.
Taxes.
Kevin?
sorry Kevin, I was just after you!
That’s the ballgame. Never doubted the boys!………
Things in life that are certain
Right on! way to go Trevor! Whohoooo
called K
Hoffman.
No. 485
That game was exhausting.
Now we just need Boomer to go 8 or 9 tomorrow.
Great bullpen management by Black, saving Trevor for the end.
Kevin I know that, I just thought your second call would come sooner.
4 hours 20 minutes….wow.
I feel like I just gave birth! well, OK, not that bad, but close!
Great job by the bullpen.
257-hopefully Boomer can help em out
Credit our boys for never giving up. They could have easily been demoralized, but they fought the entire day.
Thanks, stuck at the office and they are counting MBs here so IGD is all I have. Now back home for two with Az. Come on Boomer. BTW, when is cam going to hit. well below the mendoza line
That was a good win … ’cause it’s even tougher to lose games like that …
Cameron and Thompson “fresh” for tomorrow’s game … and surely Hoffy can be ready to close
I think some holes in our roster are clear …
– a RH hitter
– a defensive catcher (is that too harsh against Bowen?)
It’ll be interesting to see what KT does …
Ouch, I just remembered I’ve got to do my taxes, thanks for the reminder, Kevin
PF … what do you know about Andrew Underwood, who’s toss’d 6 no-no inning for the Ft Wayne Wizards today … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_04_17_burafx_ftwafx_1
I hope Bud doesn’t read the lead sentence in the AP’s game story …
Geoff Blum stepped to the plate in the 14th inning, and delivered another big hit.
… wait, perhaps he wrote it?
Wasnt there anyone available to run for Branyan??? Is it possible that Peavy was saved to PH?
Rather than being critical of Black, I’d say he and the staff, based on their observations, rate Blum a better hitter than Kouz at this point, as unpleasant as that seems.
Branyan’s not so slow that he’s an automatic PR, is he?
He hasn’t been caught stealing since 2002 … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6149/career
It was the 10th inning … seems like the PR woulda had to have been a pitcher … which has its own risks …
James doesnt have Branyan among the 24th worst baserunners…I dont have my copy handy,…but he’s lumbering and it was a very close play. If you dont put in a runner at that point with the game on the line, when would you? I guess my question is, if that is the Padres post -Boche rule.. no pinch runners.
Wow. Just finished watching the game. (Although I admit I skimmed past innings 10-13 realizing the game was far from over)
As I’m watching the bottom of the 14th it was weird knowing that if they got 1 run to tie it, it would have meant they would eventually win it because there wasn’t enough time to play another inning. Thank god everything turned out okay.
Cameron and Kouz are really starting to worry me now. What’s it gonna take to get these guys out of their slumps? You think they’re getting yelled at by the coaches? Is that how they do it? Or do they take more of a “good cop” approach?
Man, the bullpen is wiped for this next series. Is it insane to think it might be a good idea to send down, for 5 games (the minimum) Cameron and, I dunno, Hensley, and call up Stauffer and someone else? The Pads have wiped out their bullpen and have Wells, a 6-inning guy at best tomorrow. He has to get into the 7th…it was painful watching Clay get pummeled yesterday because Black couldn’t waste his pen again.
The Padres could use a defensive-minded backstop, for sure, but this is always going to be a tough pitching staff with regards to the running game; Maddux has always ignored runners, Young has a long delivery, most of the pen is oblivious to the running game. Plus the whole staff, with the exception of Boomer, is right-handed. Perhaps once Houston drops out of the race for good we can pick up Ausmus to back up Bard, but that’s a long way off. Lots of pick-off throws….
As far as Cameron and Kouzmanoff, I wouldn’t worry. Cameron starts slow always, and Kouzmanoff is really being thrown into a tough spot. But it’s 14 games; I think they’ll both hit.
We can’t send Cameron down without exposing him to waivers since he’s a rule V guy.
I’m curious to hear people’s thoughts on the Bowen/LaForest situation. The UT is reporting that they’re both out of options.