IGD: Padres @ Nationals (2 Jun 07)
Sat, Jun 2, 2007
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 4:05 p.m. PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Justin Germano (3-0, 1.08 ERA) vs Levale Speigner (1-1, 8.39 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com
In case you missed it, Clay Hensley has been actived from the DL and optioned to Triple-A Portland, which means that Justin Germano remains in the rotation. Germano has earned it with his recent performance, but if anything should go wrong, it’s nice to know that a good insurance policy is just a phone call away.
Portland pitching coach Gary Lance has gotten credit for helping guys out in the past (including Hensley), so with luck, a little tweak here and there is all that’s needed to get Hensley back to the form that saw him finish 2006 with the National League’s 10th best ERA. Meanwhile, let’s hope that Germano can stave off any “corrections” that might be headed his way. He’s a fun story, but the complete absence of dominance (3.24 K/9) makes me a bit nervous.
In the bigger picture, the Padres really need to win these next two games. With the Dodgers coming to town next week, now is not the time to get beaten by a minor-league pitching staff. Fortunately, this evening’s starter, Levale Speigner, appears to play into the Padres’ strength: left-handed batters are hitting .400/.510/.625 in 49 plate appearances. Granted, that is a very small sample, but still.
Let’s win a ballgame, shall we? Go Padres!
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June 2, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Four balls to start the game. Nice.
June 2, 2007 at 4:08 pm
KK in the 5-hole … hope he can have some good ABs today …
June 2, 2007 at 4:08 pm
1 … and nice to see Sledge *not* swing at his first pitch!
June 2, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Has anyone come up with a good reason why last night’s game wasn’t scheduled to be televised? Geoff and I were talking this morning and couldn’t figure it out. It was a Friday night game, not a Thursday day game. ???
June 2, 2007 at 4:12 pm
WTF? I can’t believe what I just saw!
June 2, 2007 at 4:12 pm
So far, so good … bases loaded on W, 1B, 1B by 1/2/3 … RALLY CAPS ON!
June 2, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Loaded and no outs!
June 2, 2007 at 4:13 pm
5 … I wish I knew what you just saw???
June 2, 2007 at 4:15 pm
8: The ball had dropped just pat 3rd base with three guys running after it and they just let it drop.
June 2, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Ouch, a bit too much patience by Cameron … K … looking???
June 2, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Nice pop by Cammy for an RBI.
June 2, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Kouz!
June 2, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Sorry Kouz
June 2, 2007 at 4:16 pm
KK … nice knock!
June 2, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Bases still loaded, one out!
June 2, 2007 at 4:19 pm
15: Ditto. And another RBI!
June 2, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Base hits with the bases loaded? wtf?
June 2, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Speigner doesn’t look old enough to date my 20 yr. old daughter.
June 2, 2007 at 4:20 pm
So now that KK is on 2nd, suppose we can stop playing station to station ball?
June 2, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Another RBI!
June 2, 2007 at 4:22 pm
20: DITTO
June 2, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Where did McAnulty hit the ball? All I see is “fielder’s choice” …
June 2, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Is this gonna be a laugher today?
June 2, 2007 at 4:23 pm
What happened on McAnulty’s hit? Gameday says fielder’s choice, but everyone was safe.
June 2, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I find it hard to believe that, if they couldn’t get Adrian at home, they could have gotten McAnulty at first???
June 2, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Germano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 2, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Woo ho! More than one base at a time!!!
June 2, 2007 at 4:24 pm
This is gonna be a laugher. NOG!!!!!!!!!
June 2, 2007 at 4:24 pm
26 … he’s a better hitter than B(l)um!!!
June 2, 2007 at 4:25 pm
6 singles in one inning!
June 2, 2007 at 4:26 pm
29: No shit.
June 2, 2007 at 4:26 pm
The Padres are hitting .750 on balls in play. I will take it.
June 2, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Are we playing in Lancaster today?
This is fun.
June 2, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Had a crappy week.
I needed this!
Let’s keep piling them on.
June 2, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Bucs with rally going in 1st … up 2-0 on Dogs …
June 2, 2007 at 4:28 pm
22 … I’m still interested to get details on McAnulty’s BIP … I assume it was a ground ball to an infielder who chose to throw home hoping to force Adrian at the plate … but Adrian beat the throw? Which IF’er?
June 2, 2007 at 4:29 pm
And as soon as I start watching that Dodgers game, the Pirates have a fly out and a runner thrown out at home trying to tag up.
June 2, 2007 at 4:29 pm
34 … does it also help that the BoSox have just put a 5-spot on the Yanks to go up 10-6?
June 2, 2007 at 4:29 pm
OT: I met GY this morning to pick up tickets for our outing next Saturday. For those of you who have never met him, he is a very personable and stand up dude. To quote what he wrote in my Annual ‘May every day be like opening day. Go Padres!’
Thanks Geoff
-Rick
June 2, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Nice KG!
June 2, 2007 at 4:33 pm
39 … I assume “stand up dude” is synonymous with “glass half dude” …
June 2, 2007 at 4:33 pm
40 … what’d he do? WHAT DID HE DO? (sorry, didn’t mean to yell)
June 2, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Nice inning. Let’s keep it going.
June 2, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Ha, Dmitri Young, your strategy of always hitting the ball into the ground has finally backfired.
June 2, 2007 at 4:34 pm
After 1 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 10-7; L Speigner 42-25.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 3-0; L Speigner 2-1.
Batters faced - J Germano 4; L Speigner 11.
… advantage, Padres!
June 2, 2007 at 4:34 pm
42: Diving grounder catch and throw out to 2nd
June 2, 2007 at 4:36 pm
LM etal.: After yesterday, I now know how you feel not having video of the game. IT SUCKS!
June 2, 2007 at 4:37 pm
That was a good pitch rising up and out on Adrian.
June 2, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Hmmm, not sure what to make of our 3/4/5 hitters going down 1-2-3 an inning after the guys throws 40+ pitches …
June 2, 2007 at 4:43 pm
#39: Glad to meet you, TD. Looking forward to June 9!
On another note, this is a fun start…
June 2, 2007 at 4:44 pm
#50: I was wondering if you were taking a nap during the 1st inning!
June 2, 2007 at 4:49 pm
#51: LOL. I was out running errands, didn’t expect to miss so much action!
June 2, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I just spotted a hot chick in the stands wearing a Padres jersey. Nice to see we are being well represented.
June 2, 2007 at 4:51 pm
#52: It was good hit and run ball. Good placments. Bad pitching.
P.S. I ended up getting breakfast at Jack In The Box! LOL
June 2, 2007 at 4:52 pm
After 2 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 27-17; L Speigner 58-34.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 3-2; L Speigner 2-3.
Batters faced - J Germano 8; L Speigner 14.
June 2, 2007 at 4:52 pm
That was freaky
June 2, 2007 at 4:54 pm
I hope the 1st inning wasn’t our pinnicle of this game.
June 2, 2007 at 4:57 pm
This kid lied about his age.
June 2, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Play goes 5 to 3
June 2, 2007 at 5:01 pm
As Professor Hubert Farnsworth would say, good news everyone!
Jason Schmidt, the Dodgers’ primary offseason pitching staff addition, will return from a nearly seven-week layoff because of an inflamed right shoulder to start Tuesday night in San Diego.
http://www.baseballthinkfactor.....r_dodgers/
I predict another night of 84 mph fastballs and shoulder surgery in the near future.
June 2, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Thru 3 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 40-24; L Speigner 65-39.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 5-3; L Speigner 2-6.
Batters faced - J Germano 11; L Speigner 17.
June 2, 2007 at 5:04 pm
56 … what was freaky?
June 2, 2007 at 5:06 pm
62: That line drive back to Speigler and he didn’t realize that he caught it.
June 2, 2007 at 5:06 pm
OT … Yanks lose … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270602102 … and if one of the NY papers reuse headlines, the one for today might be “Proctor Dolittle”
June 2, 2007 at 5:07 pm
64: Good.
June 2, 2007 at 5:07 pm
63 … oh, ya … *that* line drive …
June 2, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Adrian got a hold of that, but no dope.
June 2, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Somebody tell Sandy Alderson to leave Petco’s outfield alone. Our pitching staff can kick the crap out of the best of them, including our rookies.
June 2, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Thru 4 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 55-35; L Speigner 79-49.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 8-3; L Speigner 2-8.
Batters faced - J Germano 14; L Speigner 21.
… my favorite stat: Germano with 0 walks issued!
June 2, 2007 at 5:19 pm
69: Personally I like the 8 of 11 outs on the ground.
June 2, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Missed it by *that* much.
June 2, 2007 at 5:22 pm
71: For those of you too young to remember, that’s a line from a show called “Get Smart.”
June 2, 2007 at 5:22 pm
71 … hey TD, no one who is just reading that knows what you are talking about … so … what are you talking about?
June 2, 2007 at 5:24 pm
73: The hit ball that went by the pitcher and 2nd baseman for the single.
Sorry
June 2, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Greene hit a fly to center and Logan charged and dived but didn’t get the catch.
June 2, 2007 at 5:27 pm
P-mac is fanning.
June 2, 2007 at 5:28 pm
P-Mac looking.
June 2, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Bowen comes up and actually hits the ball hard, but that’s the one ball that inning thats caught. Weird game.
June 2, 2007 at 5:29 pm
The 3rd out went to the warning track and an easy catch in right.
June 2, 2007 at 5:30 pm
“Find the one thing in life that you don’t do well, and don’t do that thing.”
June 2, 2007 at 5:33 pm
KG back handed diving catch for out #2
June 2, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Beautiful backhanded diving catch by Khalil.
#74: I think you mean, “Sorry ’bout that, Chief.”
June 2, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Easy play goes 1-3 for the 3ed out.
June 2, 2007 at 5:36 pm
82: Sir, yes sir!
June 2, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Inside joke.
June 2, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Germano!!!!!! Geronamo!!!!!
June 2, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Okay, so Germano might be another option off the bench against LHP. He has a pretty nice stroke.
June 2, 2007 at 5:39 pm
NOG with a sac to right
June 2, 2007 at 5:39 pm
LM, are you catching all of this?
June 2, 2007 at 5:42 pm
#87: I think anytime you can get a good pitcher who can put wood to leather is an outstanding bonus. If he can run, then sign him for the next 5 years.
“Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life son.”
-Matty V.
June 2, 2007 at 5:44 pm
89 … sir, yes, sir!
Thru 5 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 65-42; L Speigner 79-49; B Traber 33-21.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 10-4; L Speigner 2-8; B Traber 2-2.
Batters faced - J Germano 17; L Speigner 21; B Traber 9.
… actually, I step’d away a few mins to listen to the NCAA Regional game … Oregon St is playing @ Virginia … 3-3 in top of 8th … what a game!
June 2, 2007 at 5:47 pm
OHHHH, nice 4-3 dp!
June 2, 2007 at 5:48 pm
That was why they are major league…nice DP!!!
Oh yea…hey everyone.
June 2, 2007 at 5:48 pm
You won’t see a much better 5-4-3 DP than the one the Padres just turned.
And Cammy can’t quite come up with Guzman’s drive…
June 2, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Mike Cameron 2006 catches that ball…I think.
June 2, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Cammy was trying to track that ball looking backwards. Lucky it didn’t clear the fence.
June 2, 2007 at 5:49 pm
That looked like a rather circuitous route Cameron took to the ball.
June 2, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Question … does Christian Guzman look like a .320+ hitter? BP has been RIPing him for years now … whassup?
June 2, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Justin hangs the breaking ball. Nice effort by NOG.
June 2, 2007 at 5:52 pm
X with an HR to put Bucs up 3-1 …
June 2, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Yuck. Dmitri crushed that one.
June 2, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Bully time?
June 2, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Young looked like he just finished a In-And-Out Double-Double to smoke that deep right.
June 2, 2007 at 5:53 pm
This is supposed to be sixth inning implosion time for the old guys, not the young guy!!!
June 2, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Those at-bats we had with men on and a 6 run lead suddenly look very important.
June 2, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Fortunately for us and the Pirates, the Dodgers brought Brett Tomko into a one run game. A homer and two doubles later, the Pirates have runners on second and third and no outs up 3-1. Not sure how exactly the runner on second didn’t score on the second double.
June 2, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Thru 6 …
Pitches-strikes - J Germano 86-57; L Speigner 79-49; B Traber 33-21.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Germano 13-4; L Speigner 2-8; B Traber 2-2.
Batters faced - J Germano 23; L Speigner 21; B Traber 9.
… well, that got a bit ugly … let’s hope we PH for Germano this inning …
June 2, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Now would be a good time for a hit from P-Mac.
June 2, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Or an intentional walk.
June 2, 2007 at 6:02 pm
C’mon, McAnulty … *NOW* is your opportunity!
June 2, 2