IGD: Padres vs Giants (10 Apr 07)

first pitch: 7:05 p.m. PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Clay Hensley (0-1, 9.64 ERA) vs Matt Morris (0-0, 1.50 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com

We’re seven games into the season, and already the Padres have played in four one-run contests. In fact, they’ve played in four straight, winning the last three. Get used to it, folks; this is how it’s going to be.

Clay Hensley gets the start Tuesday evening against the Giants. When he faced them in San Francisco last week, he battled control problems. Actually, the plate umpire that night battled control problems; Hensley just suffered for it. Assuming Hensley’s blister (great name for a band) doesn’t act up and tonight’s plate umpire has better command of the strike zone, he should be fine.

Matt Morris takes the mound for the Giants. He’s had pretty decent success against most current Padres over the years, with two notable exceptions: Mike Cameron (.444/.559/.926 in 34 PA) and Brian Giles (.395/.449/.744 in 49 PA). Those are big enough samples that they probably aren’t flukes.

Also, in case you missed it, the Padres have signed Chris Young to a deal worth $14.5 million over 4 years, with a club option for 2011. We’ll drill a little deeper tomorrow; for now I’ll just say I’m thrilled about the news.

Go Padres!

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271 Responses »

  1. High socks kicking low socks’ rear end over in the poll there. I like it.

  2. Hey GY, maybe your next poll should be “How many at bats will Khalil have before he takes his first walk?”

    I’ll guess 51. The Vulcan’s hitting .321, with all kinds of big hits, so I’m not saying his approach is good or bad . . . .

  3. How about Jeff Weaver’s line today: 2IP, 7ER. Where the heck was that back in October?!?!?!

  4. On the subject of Padres clothing, I have a real-deal dugout jacket from around 1998. I wear it regularly.

    On the subject of that fan who followed Chris Young to the Padres. I am a Padres fan for the same reason. I followed Steve Garvey to the Padres from the Dodgers. And how!

  5. Re #3: It’s back with Dave Duncan. DD has some special knack for wringing good work out of fallen veteran pitchers – keep an eye on Kip Wells this season.

    A philosophical question here: Was Bochy this bad a manager with the Padres? Or did we just ignore it because we’re fans? I mean, batting Molina 5th? Not pinch-hitting for Pedro Feliz? I’ve read stuff critical of his in-game managing, but I never seemed to notice as much when he was managing the Pads. So I wonder if we just turn a blind eye to stuff like that.

  6. I don’t think too many turned a blind eye on this blog. There were plenty of critics of his in-game managing, with Richard leading the way.

  7. Joakim Soria, the Royals’ Rule V pick from the Padres, earned his first major league save today with two great innings against Toronto. Good for him.

  8. Sledge, Branyan and Bowen all in the lineup tonight.

    Did anyone catch what happened to Kouz? I was at the game last night and it looked like he was hit on or near the hand, but yet I haven’t heard anything. Hopefully it was just a bruise, but I am worried that he may have broken something.

  9. I think we just got used to Bochy always being around like an old piece of furniture. I never really cared for his management style.

  10. BTW, I just got the MLB.com catalog in the mail today. Lots of Tony Gwynn schwag.

  11. #8 Kouz got hit pretty hard right around the elbow. I heard it was just a bruise but I’m not sure if that is the official word.

  12. I heard he was day to day with a bruise on the elbow.

  13. Pregame on and channel 4 Padres on directv again….. This is just a dream come true…

  14. Bonds is batting #4 tonight.

  15. Happy property tax day! Don’t forget to mail your checks to the city treasurer.

    Go Padres!

  16. Hensley just busted out the four-seamer, 94mph!

  17. Matt says, “the Giants have scored 7 runs in their first 14 games.”

    When did the Giants squeeze in 7 more games than the Padres?

  18. Good first half. I wish Mark Grant would just be quite. Nice having Tony in the booth last night.

  19. Hensley’s been hanging out with CY. He gets all three outs on fly balls.

  20. Alright MG

  21. 18….sorry to disagree…but I love Mark Grant.

  22. Whew. Morris’ no-hitter ends with the first batter.

  23. No need to be sorry. We all have our preferences. I just prefer hearing Tony do the color and Matt do the play by play. I would turn on the radio and listen to Ted and Jerry but HDTV lags about two seconds behind real-time. Oh, well. Go Pads!

  24. By the way everyone…I’m not shaving again till the Padres lose a game. 3-0 so far….am i sharing too much here?

  25. I love having all three guys in the booth…Tony provides great insight and Mark Grant makes it fun and Matty V. seems to do well playing off both of them

  26. Here’s to Mark with a floor length beard

  27. I really don’t understand the value — other than lefty-righty-lefty in te 2-3-4 hole — of having Cameron hit 3rd. He just doesn’t seem like a good fit for 3 to me b/c of his lack of plate discipline and low average. I really think his occasional pop makes him a better 5 or 6 hole hitter…

  28. whoops… NOG with a rare error…

  29. Giles sat back too long on that ball… you never want to wait “down” for a ball that long – it tightens you up…

  30. things better change … this is not a good start

  31. good grief charlie brown…wtf is going on this inning?

  32. Are the lights an issue? That’s the second time MC has done that this season.

  33. on a brighter note….good article on Bud Black and Peavys start from sunday

    http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070409/news_1s9padnotes.html

  34. Wasn’t it a day game last time it happened, though?

  35. 33: other one was daylight, I believe.

  36. That’s two plays that Cameron has botched this season already. I don’t recall him making any bonehead plays at all last year.

  37. True. Maybe the sun the first time.

  38. not sure why we’re pitching to Klesko here.. or at least giving him pitches that he can swing at…

  39. 33 – was going to say the same thing…twice in like 3 games

  40. because Klesko sucks and he’ll strike out with runners in scoring position

  41. Hensley, realizing he can’t rely on his defense, takes matters into his own hands.

  42. Rules Question:

    Can Hensley put his hands in his mouth?

    I know that sounds silly….

  43. great pitch, but don’t we want a ground ball now? let’s pitch around Molina…

  44. Turn two for Hensley right here… make up for it

  45. 44: no i don’t think he can

  46. Did I just hear him say “take a wee wee on your hand”??

  47. There’s something wrong with that second error being ruled a double.