IGD: Padres @ Giants (25 Jun 07)
Mon, Jun 25, 2007
by Geoff Young
| time: | 7:15 p.m. PT |
| tv: | 4SD |
| sp: | Justin Germano (5-1, 2.63) vs Tim Lincecum (2-2, 5.88) |
| pre: | Padres.com, SI.com |
Before we get to the game, I’d like to offer my condolences to Rod Beck’s family and friends. Beck died on Saturday at the chillingly young age of 38. I was hoping to say something eloquent, but reader Brian G. did it in the comments better than I ever could when he noted that “the guy single-handedly made the 2003 Padres bearable.” Beck was a true character of the game, and his spirit will be missed.
The Padres now take on the team most closely associated with Beck, the Giants. The club from San Francisco is littered with ex-Padres, starting at the top with manager Bruce Bochy. One wonders if Bochy is as happy now with his decision to head north as he was when he made the move. His team is playing better than the 32-42 record would indicate, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Giants are in last place in the National League West, 11 games behind front-running Arizona.
Mark Sweeney (.177/.282/.306), one of three players from the ‘98 World Series team still active, has found playing time hard to come by and success even harder. Truth be told, he’s doing a fine Geoff Blum impersonation. Ryan Klesko (.292/.384/.455) has become the de facto first baseman and is hitting a lot like he did in 2004, which is actually quite solid — at least until the next time he gets hurt.
Speaking of hurt, Dave Roberts has returned from the disabled list. He is batting .207/.286/.331 for the Giants. As I’ve said on many occasions, I grew to love Roberts’ game in his time here. I thought the Padres got ripped off in the deal that brought him to San Diego, but he proved me wrong. Unfortunately, now he is proving me right that the Padres were wise to let him walk this past winter.
The Giants are a really old team, which should make Bochy feel very comfortable. They’re also a team that put way too many eggs in the Barry Zito basket. Yes, Matt Cain and Monday night’s starter, Tim Lincecum, should provide a formidable 1-2 combination for years to come, but if the Giants continue to treat players like Roberts, Zito, and Matt Morris as franchise cornerstones, they will struggle to compete in an increasingly challenging NL West.
Not that I’m complaining, of course. Go Padres!
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June 25, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Great last 2 posts GY. The one about Sunday was a fun read. Hopefully we can come off this tough series and get a sweep of Padres North.
OT: “I think those rumors about the Padres looking for an outfielder, well, really looking for another bat, were answered last week when the team obtained Barrett from the Chicago Cubs.”
Padres mailbag on Padres.com
A lot of you said that wasnt our big trade, Corey Brock seems to disagree. I hope he’s wrong, but I cant help but to this that this was the “big move”
June 25, 2007 at 7:11 pm
so…geoff you metioned that only 3 players are still acvtive from the 98′ world series run. that seems really odd to me, but when i did the math i could only come up with sweeney, hoffman, and c gomez. is this really the case?
June 25, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I’m still holding out hope for Jermaine Dye and everytime the white sox lose I think we’re closer to being able to get him in a trade
June 25, 2007 at 7:13 pm
First time i’ve ever been happy to be watching the other teams broadcast…. The SF Giants network just did a great tribute to Rod Beck, including his Padres stint and showed him striking out Barry Bonds….Beck was definitely quite the personality and will be missed.
June 25, 2007 at 7:23 pm
“… and here’s a strike that’s called a ball and Giles takes first base.” You make that statement, SF… you should probably back it up with a replay. I didn’t catch it
June 25, 2007 at 7:28 pm
3: Why would we want Jermaine Dye? He’s been a league average hitter for most of his career with only one really good season. He’s not going to come cheap and he wouldn’t be much of an upgrade. I just don’t see the point. The only hitter that looks to be available that can honestly be considered an impact bat is Adam Dunn.
June 25, 2007 at 7:30 pm
#6: Adam Dunn is just fine with me as well…
June 25, 2007 at 7:31 pm
I can see why Lincecum is effective, but doesn’t go deep into games. He just throws way too many pitches because he tries to blow it by everybody.
This should be an interesting case study in pitching vs. throwing with two rookies and two completely different approaches.
June 25, 2007 at 7:31 pm
The Boston series was like watching the World Series being played out. I thought the Padres held their own pretty well. All three of the games could have gone either way.
The news of Rod “Shooter” Beck’s death reminded me of Caminiti. My condolences to his family.
June 25, 2007 at 7:34 pm
That’s not something you see Vizquel do too frequently.
June 25, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Ugh, I hate trailing in games. It doens’t seem like we’ve overcome a deficit in some time.
June 25, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Rather him than Bonds.
June 25, 2007 at 7:40 pm
8: I don’t have the stat handy for this year’s SO leaders, but i’d suspect their pitch-counts would be among the highest.
June 25, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I still just think we need one more bat in this lineup….and that would make a big difference..
June 25, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Man Khalil just hit that ball too hard. If they make contact, its gonna go a long way against Lincecum.
June 25, 2007 at 7:41 pm
I don’t want Adam Dunn.
What are we all whining about? Men left at second and third with less than two outs. That’s what is killing us. Bases loaded and nobody out, we get one run.
What we are talking about is times when just making contact can score a run. When a hit isn’t necessary. What are we doing in those times? Strrrrrrrrike Three!
Dunn won’t help that. Yes, he is in scoring position at home plate. But he also would be joining a team that needs contact more than power and would be adding to our K frustrations.
June 25, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Adam Dunn in Petco Park complete with a strikeout every 2.3 at bats (a strikeout laden lineup as it is) and a butcher of an outfielder. No. No thanks.
June 25, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Ok….so Adam Dunn and Dye are both shot down here….who would you guys bring in since we clearly need a bat in this lineup.
June 25, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Klesko crushed that.
June 25, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Wow. Both teams with leadoff doubles. One of them scores the run, one of them doesn’t. This is already an insanely frustrating game. I really don’t have a good feeling about this thus far.
June 25, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Dye is hurt and may be put on the DL but to dismiss him as a one year wonder is simply not accurate. He has had a number of good years and even this year he has hit 11 bombs despite being hampered with a bad leg.
June 25, 2007 at 7:55 pm
18. If we’re gonna say might as well dream about it? Ichiro.
I’d be pleased as punch to see Griffey. Torrii Hunter and Alex Rios intrigue me, but I’m so AL blind I can’t speak with real knowledge.
June 25, 2007 at 8:00 pm
22 - I’d take Ichiro over Rios, and not sure about Hunter.
June 25, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Adrian is really not helping the team out right now at bat. He scalds that ball right at a postition player. Even if Germano knows how to run the bases, that’s still a double play.
June 25, 2007 at 8:12 pm
KG just stood there. WTF?
June 25, 2007 at 8:18 pm
re: Padres were wise to let Roberts walk … in addition to saving the $$$ … in addition to not getting the poor performance and missed time … the Padres drafted these 2 players as “compensation” …
1s 46 Drew Cumberland ss Pace HS, Milton, Fla. FL
4 134 Corey Kluber rhp Stetson FL
… what a country!
June 25, 2007 at 8:19 pm
4 god damn lead runners and nothing to show for it. This is getting a little ridiculous.
Oh, and I thought the strike 2 and strike 3 pitches were borderline at best.
June 25, 2007 at 8:20 pm
27: I should have clarified those were pitches to Khalil. Molina set up OFF the plate and never moved. Sure, that’s a strike.
June 25, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Thru 4 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 43-30; T Lincecum 63-38.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 7-3; T Lincecum 2-5.
Batters faced - J Germano 16; T Lincecum 17.
June 25, 2007 at 8:39 pm
This has got to be one of the most frustrating games weve had this year. Men on in every f**king inning, and nothing to show for it. Cameron lets the 1-2 pitch go right down the pipe without flinching. Unbelievable.
June 25, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Down on the Farm … Kulbacki is making his pro debut (one day late) at Eugene tonight …
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_eugasx_1
… hmmm, HR’s tonight by Pickett (#4 already, he’s DH’ing tonight but was catcher last night) and Martinez (catching tonight) … one of these 2 guys is gonna lose a job if/when we sign Canham, methinks …
June 25, 2007 at 8:39 pm
On that third curveball, Mike C. was ready and waiting for it. He saw it, put a swing on it… and fouled it off. He just missed it. Cammy didn’t miss pitches like that back in the day. Combine that with his issues in the field…
I’m beginning to think something really has changed in his vision, folks…
June 25, 2007 at 8:41 pm
OG with a hit and walk in 3 PAs so far tonight for the STORM …
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_lesafa_1
June 25, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Thru 5 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 55-40; T Lincecum 91-51.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 9-3; T Lincecum 2-6.
Batters faced - J Germano 19; T Lincecum 22.
… it’ll be interesting to see how far Bochy goes with Lincecum …
June 25, 2007 at 8:46 pm
It’s a shame we can’t get some runs for Justin. I know Lincecum is going to torment us for years, but I was hoping it wouldn’t start tonight. He’s been struggling big time, but I was afraid our offense was going to be the perfect tonic for him as we play right into his strengths. Unfortunately everything is going according to script so far.
June 25, 2007 at 8:48 pm
OT … my “favorite play” in a baseball game is a “blown save” … here’s a game I wish I’d been at …
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270625116
… 2 blown saves in 1 game!!!
June 25, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Greetings from 26 rows behind home plate!
This is the first ever live report from a Padre away game.
Thanks to a long work day,, I just got here but I’ll try to keep you abreast of situations. At least I’ll try to have more of a clue than Jerry Coleman.
June 25, 2007 at 8:54 pm
37 … woo-hoo, Brian G … on the scene … and wired … bring it ON!
June 25, 2007 at 8:56 pm
People here think the Giants can get someone decent in a trade from Ray Durham.
I think not.
June 25, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Oops. I mean FOR Ray Durham.
Not sure what they’d get FROM him.
June 25, 2007 at 9:00 pm
39/40 … I like Durham … if NOG went down, I’d think the Padres would be wise to give up something for Durham down the stretch.
June 25, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Thru 6 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 69-47; T Lincecum 105-60.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 11-3; T Lincecum 3-6.
Batters faced - J Germano 22; T Lincecum 25.
… and Lincecum’s back out for 7th? Not on my watch …
June 25, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Vizquel out? What happened, BG?
June 25, 2007 at 9:03 pm
If Bochy is going to continue to let Lincecum throw 120 pitches per start, then it is possible that we won’t have to worry about that Cain-Lincecum top of the rotation for very long.
June 25, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Lots of check swings since I got here. Rarely a good thing.
June 25, 2007 at 9:03 pm
The vaunted Padre offense is having an off night.
June 25, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Bring him back for the 8th, Boch!
June 25, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Klesko passed Lincecum on the way back to the dugout and absolutely dwarfs him.
June 25, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Steve Kline on in the 8th for SF. Pus-throwing lefty after Lincecum — quite a contrast.
June 25, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Thru 7 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 69-47; C Meredith 8-6; T Lincecum 115-66.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 11-3; C Meredith 1-1; T Lincecum 6-6.
Batters faced - J Germano 22; C Meredith 3; T Lincecum 28.
June 25, 2007 at 9:11 pm
“Kooz” is 2 for his last 17 (.218) and only 5 homeruns in 200 at bats this season. He has been a disappointment no doubt about it. Do we bring in a bat to play third base this year if it is available at this position ?
June 25, 2007 at 9:12 pm
51: Did you miss the month of May? He was our best hitter that month after his miserable April. Now he’s coming back from an injury, so we should probably give him some time to re-acclimate himself.
June 25, 2007 at 9:12 pm
48 … I was listening to KNBR, the Giants flagship station, a couple of weeks ago … they were running a ticket-giveaway promotion to the fan that called in and gave the best reason why he/she should get the tickets … the winner said “because I had kidney stones older and bigger than Tim Lincecum”
June 25, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Oh, please don’t strand anymore runners!
June 25, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Finally!
June 25, 2007 at 9:14 pm
That’s a bummer of a double right there, Cruz had to hold because he couldn’t tell.
June 25, 2007 at 9:14 pm
51: Also, third base is where we have the best replacement options. Branyan or Headley could play there everyday.
June 25, 2007 at 9:15 pm
51 … but I’d say “yes, if the ‘big bat’ is a 3B-man, then the Padres should consider it” … at this point, KK is an out machine … I’m all for “give him some time” after the recent back injury … but all his outs are starting to add up … it’s a tough call … good question, BB.
June 25, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I disagree with Mud… Cruz was hanging near the bag to try and take third if the catch was made. Knowing Winn and having watched the same stinking game Jose has… I can’t fault him for trying to make sure he would at least get to third with one out. Mud has a point too… but either answer has points to it.
June 25, 2007 at 9:17 pm
No, I didn’t miss the month of May. However, in 200 at bats he his hitting .217. So who cares about the month of May ? But I agree, they should give him some more time but the question remains, how much?
June 25, 2007 at 9:17 pm
56: I’m not watching the game, but I’m betting the real reason Cruz held up was so that we could strand two more runners in really, really dramatic fashion.
June 25, 2007 at 9:18 pm
From here, tagging up was the proper play. It wasn’t a sure catch but it wasn’t abn obvious hit either.
What the hell does a pitcher know about baserunning anyway?
June 25, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Dogs piling on D-backs … now 8-1 in 9th …
June 25, 2007 at 9:19 pm
if you can get a stud at third you should consider it…but who is on the block? At least there are some OF’ers to chose from…
June 25, 2007 at 9:19 pm
62 … I don’t understand your question about pitcher/baserunning?
June 25, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Cammy goes long ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 25, 2007 at 9:21 pm
He didn’t miss that one!!!! Nice!
June 25, 2007 at 9:21 pm
IN reference to Mud questioning Cruz’s decision to tag up.
Cameron just made the argument…what’s the word?…moot.
June 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm
DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG!
June 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm
That was a great AB by Mike Cameron! He did everything to stay alive and just crushed that pitch.
June 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Holy crap!!!! That will, in fact, avoid stranding those runners!
June 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm
And I guess now it’s clear why Bochy left Lincecum in so long
June 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Clutch shot for Cammy. His numbers have been steadily rising.
June 25, 2007 at 9:23 pm
re:65 Lynch, Mud was complaining that Jose stayed too close to second on the Adrian double and thus couldn’t score. Our contention is that he was preparing to tag up, since Winn had his back to the plate and had zero chance of throwing out Cruz if he made the catch.
June 25, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I sincerely apologize for lambasting Mike earlier, as he had a great AB there.
Bummer to see Khalil not get a hit tonite.
June 25, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Someone tell Scotty to leave the gopherball out of his bag of tricks tonite.
June 25, 2007 at 9:26 pm
76: Is Scotty coming in, or will it be Bell?
June 25, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Scotty it is.
June 25, 2007 at 9:29 pm
This is like watching the San Diego Giants.
June 25, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Come on Linebrink!
June 25, 2007 at 9:30 pm
74 … ah, Mud being the “pitcher” who doesn’t know anything about baserunning … got it
June 25, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Any word on why Vizquel was taken out of the game?
June 25, 2007 at 9:32 pm
C’mon Scotty, figure it out!
June 25, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Linebrink looks terrible.
June 25, 2007 at 9:34 pm
84: Totally agree with you. He’s got no control whatsoever.
June 25, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Why is Bell not our top set-up guy?
June 25, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Thanks a bunch Scotty. Way to get your hold.
June 25, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Why would you walk the .180+ hitting Mark Sweeney ? The key to the whole inning.
June 25, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Is Bell even up in the pen?
June 25, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I love how the Giants keep cutting to Khalil like he made Linebrink be all over the place. Sweeney faked going to second. Somebody’s gotta cover that.
June 25, 2007 at 9:36 pm
No No No, Bud, Hampson and Cameron are the Human Victory Cigars, we are about to lose this game…
June 25, 2007 at 9:36 pm
88 … I’d bet if you asked him he’d say he didn’t do it on purpose …
June 25, 2007 at 9:37 pm
What got into Bochy there — starting the runners (Mark freegin’ Sweeney on 2b) with a LH hitter up? Is he smokin’ some local stuff?
June 25, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Pitch out to Bonds.
June 25, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Bell has only pitched twice in the past week. He should be available.
June 25, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Bring in Ring to pitch to Bonds! Actually, ok, intentionally walk him. But I want to see Ring pitch to Bonds at some point this series.
June 25, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Bring in Ring to pitch to Klesko!
June 25, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Bring in Ring to pitch to Klesko!
June 25, 2007 at 9:39 pm
*sigh* Durham, who owns Scotty, really bailed us out there.
June 25, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Any one else worried about Kouz’s throw there? He really babied it over there.
June 25, 2007 at 9:39 pm
‘cept Ring went 2 IP last night …
June 25, 2007 at 9:40 pm
I really, really hope Black starts trusting Ring as a LOOGY, and maybe even to pitch to some righties, very quickly. He completely dominated in his three innings against the Red Sox and made the lefties he faced look ridiculous. He’s probably our best option out of the pen against good lefty hitters.
June 25, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Linebrink is trade bait. He is not the dominator he was two years ago. He is no longer our “closer of the future”. He is a free agent at the end of the year.
This is the year to deal him. Preferably to an American League team with hitting to spare that needs ‘pen help.
June 25, 2007 at 9:41 pm
And everyone tells me I am stupid when i say trade Linebrink we dont NEED him…
June 25, 2007 at 9:43 pm
100: With Klesko running, we all know he could had rolled it there
102: I told you I didnt just like Ring because he went to SDSU. He’s got great stuff.