first pitch: 7:05 p.m. PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Chris Young (2-3, 4.74 ERA) vs Jason Schmidt (1-2, 7.36 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com
Dodgers starter Jason Schmidt hasn’t pitched in a big-league game since the Padres pounded him back on April 14. Shoulder bursitis has kept him out of action for nearly seven weeks. Closer Takashi Saito, meanwhile, is expected to miss the series due to “tightness in his left hamstring.”
Offense? Not a strength of either team. Rusell Martin and Luis Gonzalez are the rough equivalent of Adrian Gonzalez and Jose Cruz Jr. I remain baffled at (and grateful for) the Juan Pierre signing; that’s a lot of outs in the lineup every game.
It’s too early to get caught up in “making a statement.” Obviously this would be a nice series to win, but let’s not get silly about it. If the Dodgers taught us anything last year, it’s that a single series or game doesn’t define a team’s season. Romantic visions of destiny notwithstanding, you don’t really know where you’re going until you get there.
Wherever we end up, this summer again promises to take fans of both teams for a great ride. Go Padres!
How huge is that bag now?
Way to convert boys!!! Hells yes!
NOG!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Branyan scores!
Holy crap, a stolen base leads directly to a run for the PADRES!
Who put the wheels on that Manyan?
Beimel in to face Sledge. Cruz was in the on-deck circle earlier but pulled for Branyan; expect we’ll see him here.
wow… what a call. still shaking me head
#149: We agreed awhile ago not to say that. Instead, it’s Branyan the Manyan. OK? The other one is too Hillcrest.
I’d have Sledge bunt try to bunt for a hit here. He’s been successful with that at least once this season, he can’t hit lefties, and he moves the runner into scoring position for someone that can hit lefties.
Good call GY. Get Trevor up too.
159: Oops, did not realize Cruz was available.
Weird motion on that windup. He hesitates as he is facing first.
Good description from T. Calls him a “hanger” with that weird hitch in his delivery.
Martin leading off?
Trevor facing Martin makes me nervous. Let’s hope for a quick outing here by the all time saves king.
Still, they nulified post #51 and that is a good thing!
Being in AZ for the past 5 years, i miss the Hoff entrance. Can’t anyone show it… just once?
#167: Probably the coolest in MLB.
Nice job by Blummer to stay with that ball.
OMG! Silent L got another one right!
at one point I know channel 4 was talking about not going to comercial during trevor time, but im not sure why it never came around.
This whole series is going to be like this.
re: 171 they stayed for 479 last Sept. I was at the ballpark, but I have it on DVR.
Beat LA. *grin*
ah I was at the BP for that as well but i did not DVR it
C’mon blue… you’ve given the outside all night and now you’re leaning in?
And exhale…
Can of corn and we win it. Only 2 hits for us tonight! 1st place (for today).
smells like 1st place
Man that’s a satisfying win. Is that our second two-hit win this year?
First place!
and i’ll take…
sweet game
Bwah!!!!
499 for Hoffy!!! The next one establishes a new club; I’ll predict right here, right now that the “500 Club” becomes the HOF benchmark for closers.
First place, Padres!
That looks like a playoff box score to me…
My son is the starting pitcher for his LL championship game tomorrow at 5:15. Soon as that’s done, I think I bring him downtown. I want him to be present for #500.
I already have tix for Fri & Sun, but I doubt I miss a game until Hoffy gets it…
#184: Rich, why didn’t you get tix with us for Saturday?
Would someone be kind enough to give me some Home/Road splits for the Padres starting 5?
Thank you.
Giants and D’backs tied 3-3 top of the 10th.
185. Son is spending the night on Star of India. Was told I was going with. Only found out yesterday they overbooked the Chaperones and I’m one of two odd men out.
The D-Backs’ Chris Young hit a walk off bomb. We’re tied in first for another day.
That was a fun game. It reminded me of being a kid and listening to Vin Scully call a Dodger game where the Dodgers scratch and claw to get a single run and Koufax wins 1-0. Our pitching staff is starting to remind me of that old staff headed by Koufax and Drysdale. Sorry, just a slight detour down Memory Lane.
189: It’s not a real tie. We have a higher winning percentage.
191: And we’re better. Totally objective opinion right there.
I’d kill to be in downtown San Diego this week. Dodgers in town, Pads fighting to stay on top and Trevor looking for number 500. Thursday’s closer (either a rubber game for first place or a chance for the Pads to sweep) with Peavy pitching is shaping out to be a top notch game. I may just have to stay up until 4am to watch that one.