IGD: Padres @ Rockies (21 Apr 07)
Sat, Apr 21, 2007
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 5:05 p.m. PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Clay Hensley (0-3, 12.21 ERA) vs Jeff Francis (1-1, 5.60 ERA)
Hello, offense. Don’t look now, but for the first time in more than 6 years, the Padres have scored at least 11 runs in consecutive games.
The last time that happened was April 7 and 8, 2001, when the Pads beat the Rockies, 14-10 and 11-3, at Coors Field. Phil Nevin homered twice and drove in eight runs over those two games. Heck, even Donaldo Mendez knocked one out of the park.
Back to 2007, Clay Hensley gave up 10 runs in his last start against the Cubs. He seriously needs to pitch a good game on Saturday. Here’s hoping…
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April 21, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Wow, BenB’s comment in string below is amazing … he dug up a comment @ BP from 2003 about MCamy having vision problems in his right eye during 2002 … thanks, BenB!
April 21, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Cedric (The Great) was 0-for-3 today … but did draw a walk, steal a base, and score 2 runs in a Wizard victory … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....p;did=milb
April 21, 2007 at 4:01 pm
2 - oh, and Aaron Breit had his first decent outing of the season … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....pid=446603 … 6 K’s in 5 IP …
April 21, 2007 at 4:04 pm
At AAA, the Beavers are mixing up their defense tonight … http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_cspaaa_1 … Stansberry is playing SS … which I think is good to see … Luis Cruz playing 3B … McAnulty out in LF …
April 21, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Rox have their pre-games notes up on mlb.com … http://presspass.mlb.com/pp_viewer.asp?d=33196 … Padres, not yet …
April 21, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Two productive run scoring outs? Who is this team?
April 21, 2007 at 5:13 pm
6: Seriously, eh? Let’s hope they can keep it up.
Even though he flew out, I really like that Khalil is going with pitches a lot more this year.
Here’s to a fantabulous start for Clay.
April 21, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Hey, I like it … miss the start of the game now means missing some *action* !!!
April 21, 2007 at 5:19 pm
3 hard hit balls now against Clay.
April 21, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Anybody watching? Describe getting Atkins at 3B …
April 21, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Anybody up in the pen yet?
April 21, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Ball came into Bowen and Carroll knocked it away on the slide. Clay picked it up and gunned down Atkins as he was trying to take 3rd.
April 21, 2007 at 5:24 pm
After 1st inning …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 21-11; J Francis 16-12.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 0-2; J Francis 1-2.
Batters faced - C Hensley 6; J Francis 6.
April 21, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Good thing they got Atkins at third, otherwise Hensley’s ERA wouldn’t actually have gone down
April 21, 2007 at 5:28 pm
glad to see the continued lineup as is. though I wouldn’t mind seeing Sledge in LF and in the 2 spot, I’m happy that Cameron isn’t in the 3-spot. He simply IS NOT a 3-hole hitter…
April 21, 2007 at 5:32 pm
nice to see Marcus hitting so well … and for the most part the rest of the guys getting quality at bats .. and not just for one game … but for several games in a row … Cameron seems he might have found his stroke … OG needs some work
April 21, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Probably should add that Atkins looked to be safe at 3rd…….I get the feeling that Cruz is just a better player then Sledge at this point in their career’s. I’m not sure Black trusts Sledge defensively yet
April 21, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Clay needs to get his confidence back in his stuff … he seems to pitch outside to avoid contact instead of pitching to contact
April 21, 2007 at 5:35 pm
17 : Atkins looked out to me .. Kouz got him on the upper leg
April 21, 2007 at 5:37 pm
16 … so what was the deal with folks making comments during MCamy’s last AB last night about his ankle? Was he limping last night? Any hint of that tonight?
April 21, 2007 at 5:38 pm
yes MR CAMERON >> WAY TO GO
April 21, 2007 at 5:40 pm
20 : no hint tonight he looks good … he jammed his ankle during the day game at Petco Thur and then hit a foul ball hard off it yesterday … he was vissably limping at the end of the game last night … but he shows no signs of it tonight
April 21, 2007 at 5:40 pm
After 2 full …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 29-17; J Francis 33-23.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 1-4; J Francis 2-4.
Batters faced - C Hensley 10; J Francis 12.
April 21, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Nice shoestring snag by Cammy, good to see.
April 21, 2007 at 5:41 pm
The yellow line strikes again!
El hombre!
April 21, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Nope I would say that MR CAMERON looks great and found his swing
April 21, 2007 at 5:43 pm
yes boys I am liking what I am seeing
April 21, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Our boys are hitting the ball - what’s going on here?
April 21, 2007 at 5:43 pm
22 … reminds me of comments Linebrink was quoted to have said in this article at mlb.com … http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com.....mp;c_id=sd …
He knows his body better than anyone and he’s come to learn that a sore body in the morning doesn’t always mean he won’t be able to go later that day.
“You come in here, get some treatment, try to flush it out,” he said. “Sometimes you feel much better after you’ve done all that than when you first woke up. That says a lot about our training staff, they’re the best I’ve ever seen.”
April 21, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Nice shot by Cammy, and KG extends his hitting streak.
Boys are getting more situational hitting tonite. I can’t believe it!
April 21, 2007 at 5:46 pm
boy, it’s tough to watch Kouz struggle. especially when you know that’s it more mental than physical …
April 21, 2007 at 5:47 pm
29: and I think our training staff gets some credit … the last few years they have worked on the players to their everyday playing and not behind the power curve keeping up with injuries .. I think it has paid off with less injuries (i.e. Dave Roberts last several years) and faster recovery rate
April 21, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Man Bo has had some nice at bats the last few days …. I think he likes playing every day
April 21, 2007 at 5:49 pm
and Bowen is just KILLING it!
April 21, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Yeah, Rob is looking real good at the plate. He’s taking pitches and hitting balls well.
April 21, 2007 at 5:53 pm
33 … “Man Bo” … I like it!
April 21, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Clay’s keeping the ball down so far in this inning. If he pitches like this, he should be fine.
April 21, 2007 at 5:57 pm
nice double play
April 21, 2007 at 5:59 pm
OH are the boys picking up Clay tonight with defense
April 21, 2007 at 6:00 pm
not much you can say other than AWESOME!
April 21, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I missed what just happened. How did Helton get gunned down?
April 21, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I wonder what sort of consequences Helton (i.e. a superstar vet) is going to face for running through that stop sign?
April 21, 2007 at 6:01 pm
That was a beautiful job of blocking the place by Man Bo
April 21, 2007 at 6:01 pm
OT - Cole Hamels sure is in the groove … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270421117 … how’d we miss that SD boy? Perhaps got drafted before we had a pick (he went #17 in 2002 … hmmm … I’ll bet in 2002 we had a pick before that … rats).
April 21, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Hensley’s living on borrowed time - he’s falling behind constantly, is barely throwing 50% strikes and is getting hit hard. For once, the defense is helping him out (unlike Chicago).
Maddux needs to have a chat with Clay and tell him how to take control back.
April 21, 2007 at 6:02 pm
42 … yahoo’s box score says OF assist to Cruz …
April 21, 2007 at 6:02 pm
#44: we picked Khalil
April 21, 2007 at 6:06 pm
41 - if you didn’t see the replay, Helton was on 2nd, the Rockie hitter (Holliday?) singled sharply to left, Cruz is on it quickly and comes up throwing, Helton running hard goes right through the stop sign at 3rd, Cruz’s throw is on target and Bowen does a solid job of blocking the plate. Helton was out by a step and a half.
April 21, 2007 at 6:08 pm
47 … ah, that’s not so bad, thanks!
April 21, 2007 at 6:09 pm
After 3.5 …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 41-22; J Francis 75-50.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 3-4; J Francis 3-5.
Batters faced - C Hensley 14; J Francis 23.
April 21, 2007 at 6:11 pm
and there goes my Man Bo … making another great play …LOL
April 21, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Andy (1090 XX) says “Bowen pounces” ….
April 21, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Clay is looking a little bit better this inning then he did last inning.
April 21, 2007 at 6:17 pm
So much for Hensley looking better.
April 21, 2007 at 6:17 pm
53: he did look better
April 21, 2007 at 6:17 pm
53 … until he walked the opposing pitcher, that is …
April 21, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I’m getting close to my Hensley tolerance limit. Has he thrown a good changeup all year? He’s got a bit too much of the Tankersley in him right now, antsy, working too fast.
April 21, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Thru 4 …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 67-37; J Francis 75-50.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 6-4; J Francis 3-5.
Batters faced - C Hensley 19; J Francis 23.
… I gotta think Bud is thinkin’ of going to the pen soon …
April 21, 2007 at 6:22 pm
57: i agree that he’s pretty tough to take right now, but after the groove he found last year, I’m willing to wait him out.
April 21, 2007 at 6:22 pm
bet they send Clay out there again .. try to get him at least through the 5th …
April 21, 2007 at 6:23 pm
At least Clay’s only thrown 4 more pitches at this point in the game then CY had last nite.
Hopefully he gives the boys one or two more innings.
April 21, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Rob got robbed
April 21, 2007 at 6:24 pm
could have been a 4 base error
April 21, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Nice ground ball .. more of those please Clay
April 21, 2007 at 6:31 pm
I think Clay is getting tired. He’s not following through as strongly this inning and his sinker has gone from around 92mph to 88-90mph. Look at how he’s almost upright on some of those pitches. He was finishing a lot lower earlier in the game.
April 21, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I think Khalil should have gotten to that ball. It looked like he was moving the wrong way on contact.
April 21, 2007 at 6:33 pm
We might need to think about getting the bullpen up.
Clay looked so great last year, what’s happened to him this year?
April 21, 2007 at 6:33 pm
65: He was taking some awfully deep breaths that last batter .. could be
Nice defence and a good grounder from Clay to get out of it
April 21, 2007 at 6:33 pm
This has the look & feel of a “high leverage” situation … ie. a good time to bring in a good relief pitcher …
April 21, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Boy that will help.
April 21, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Whew … thru 5 full …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 84-48; J Francis 81-55.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 9-4; J Francis 5-6.
Batters faced - C Hensley 23; J Francis 26.
… so, now who PHs for Clay?
April 21, 2007 at 6:34 pm
well Clay is up second so we shall see if he is in for the 6th
April 21, 2007 at 6:35 pm
oops I mean first …
April 21, 2007 at 6:35 pm
12 baserunners with 0 K’s in 5 innings … that’s not gonna win many ballgames … but it might win this one … c’mon bully!
April 21, 2007 at 6:36 pm
wow I thought that was headed out .. without the wind it would have gone … that ball got blown all over the outfield
April 21, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Warning track power.
April 21, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Why do we have 13 pitchers on our roster?
April 21, 2007 at 6:37 pm
The bullpen is rested, I’d like to see a pinch hitter there.
April 21, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Clay got some nice wood on that ball. Hopefully he can throw one more strong inning.
April 21, 2007 at 6:37 pm
andbody see who Clay called over in the duggout, after his at bat???
April 21, 2007 at 6:37 pm
yes nice … NOG !!!
April 21, 2007 at 6:38 pm
NOG is having some nice ABs this year.
Anyone who said that he wouldn’t be an upgrade over Barfield was gravely mistaken.
April 21, 2007 at 6:38 pm
ok Cruz need a triple and HR
April 21, 2007 at 6:39 pm
82: Early returns are certainly favorable. Even OG — despite the lack of power — seems to be have a good start…
April 21, 2007 at 6:39 pm
82- if we can get Kouz hitting .. it will be a total success
April 21, 2007 at 6:40 pm
OMG NICE SLIDE NOG
April 21, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Nice slide by NOG. Terrible base running by OG.
April 21, 2007 at 6:42 pm
great slide by NOG. bad baserunning by Cruz (as soon as throw passes the cutoff man, he should be at third)…OG should have paid closer attention though…
April 21, 2007 at 6:42 pm
78 … I guess the arguement against PH’ing for Clay there is that Francis is LHP … and Blum’s the only guy on the bench that can hit RH? Bleh …
April 21, 2007 at 6:42 pm
should have held Cruz on that one
April 21, 2007 at 6:42 pm
What an absolutely horrible decision to send Cruz there. Holliday had gotten to the ball by the time Cruz was rounding third.
April 21, 2007 at 6:44 pm
91: agreed. though, maybe scouting report says that Holliday has an inaccurate arm?
April 21, 2007 at 6:44 pm
There should still be one out in that inning
April 21, 2007 at 6:44 pm
But good work by Gonzalez and OG there hitting the ball the other way against lefties.
April 21, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Holliday with 2 OF assists that inning … bummer …
April 21, 2007 at 6:45 pm
78: also we are short on the bench .. don’t waste a PH if we don’t have to .. …
April 21, 2007 at 6:46 pm
96 … my claim is that we “have to” … I’d bet Clay doesn’t have “it” in the 6th here … but I’m a long way from the action, so what do I know …
April 21, 2007 at 6:47 pm
97: Clay might be out of gas but the Rox are just horrible. He might be able to get out of it unscathed.
April 21, 2007 at 6:48 pm
97: Oh, Clay absolutely does not have it, at all, and has not had it the whole game. But might as well keep walking the tight rope as long as we keep getting lucky and have a cushion. Always good to take it easy on the bullpen.
April 21, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Josh Geer and Chase Headley having a good game for AA San Antonio … http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....x_mroaax_1
April 21, 2007 at 6:49 pm
97: well if the defence can keep Clay in the game .. stretch it as long as we can .. but with what 93 pitches this has to be it for Clay
April 21, 2007 at 6:49 pm
99 … but we called up extra arms … and have an off day Monday … I’d say that Clay’s arm is the one that needs to take it easy!
April 21, 2007 at 6:49 pm
hensley’s ERA now in single digits
April 21, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I s’pose the end justifies the means … thru 6 …
Pitches-strikes - C Hensley 93-54; J Francis 104-65.
Ground balls-fly balls - C Hensley 10-5; J Francis 5-7.
Batters faced - C Hensley 27; J Francis 31.
April 21, 2007 at 6:50 pm
it may not be pretty but Clay got through 7 innings with the Pads still out in front …
April 21, 2007 at 6:51 pm
oopss I mean 6
April 21, 2007 at 6:51 pm
More runs PLEASE PADRES
April 21, 2007 at 6:53 pm
wow look at camerons average … jump
April 21, 2007 at 6:55 pm
OT … with runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out in the bottom of the 2nd inning … Vlad Guerrero was just intentionally walked!
(ps. He had HR’d in the 1st)
April 21, 2007 at 6:55 pm
108 … now at .214 …
April 21, 2007 at 6:56 pm
How long until we start panicking about Kouz?
And of course, now that contract negotiations end, Cameron starts hitting better.
April 21, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Ouch, that was a situation that I’d hoped for more from KK … he got a Blum’er-clutch GIDP
April 21, 2007 at 6:57 pm
109: Maybe it was just a strategy of throwing out there because they thought Vlad would chase them.
I forgot Bowen’s good hitting today had come from the right side, where he usually is overmatched. That’s a great sign.
April 21, 2007 at 6:58 pm
111 … methinks (hopes?) the contact negotiation issue is that the brass have decided to get a FA CF next off-season … a decision I’m good with …
April 21, 2007 at 7:01 pm
114 : who would you go for … Linebrink is also a FA and is going to cost some to retain
April 21, 2007 at 7:01 pm
109 … correction … there was 2 outs … and the strategy worked as they (the hated M’s) got the next batter and hence out of the inning without any runs scoring …
April 21, 2007 at 7:02 pm
115 … my prefered order is Jones, Hunter, Ichiro! … ymmv …
April 21, 2007 at 7:02 pm
11 RE: Kouz, Barfield with a robust .143/.163/.262 line at Cleveland if it is any consolation
April 21, 2007 at 7:04 pm
A GIDP from Atkins would be nice
April 21, 2007 at 7:04 pm
So if Barfield were on the Padres, would we be talking about giving up on him?
April 21, 2007 at 7:05 pm
120 : we would have to find something to complain about
April 21, 2007 at 7:07 pm
come on Taco … get outs
April 21, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Bell’s looking really hittable right now, a trait he hasn’t exhibited before.
April 21, 2007 at 7:08 pm
that’s the way
April 21, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Bell’s ERA is skyrocketing tonight …
April 21, 2007 at 7:09 pm
123: wonder if he was told not to give him anything
April 21, 2007 at 7:10 pm
125: It’s infinite percentage higher!
April 21, 2007 at 7:11 pm
breath
April 21, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Hmmm, tieing run at the plate … squirm …