IGD: Padres @ Dodgers (1 Jul 07)
Sun, Jul 1, 2007
by Geoff Young
| time: | 1:10 p.m. PT |
| tv: | 4SD |
| sp: | Justin Germano (5-1, 2.67) vs Chad Billingsley (4-0, 4.01) |
| pre: | Padres.com, SI.com |
I’ve got no real angle for this one other than a sweep would be nice. The Padres have won seven straight road series and are 24-17 away from Petco Park this season. They also have the best run differential (+82) in the National League through June. Only the Detroit Tigers (+85) are better in MLB.
Did I mention a sweep? Yeah, that’d be good. Welcome to July, and go Padres!
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July 1, 2007 at 11:37 am
I like the matchup - we’ll see how Germano pitches today.
It’d be nice to see AGon get a break today.
July 1, 2007 at 11:55 am
You guys see that hargraves resigned?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2922500
I remember hearing a former New Orleans Saint talk about how is head coach talked about “giving it all,” “not quitting,” etc… Then the head coach went out and quit. I get not being pationate about the game anymore, but I have hard time w/ a guy for quitting like this mid-season.
July 1, 2007 at 12:03 pm
The real surprising thing about Hargrove is that Seattle has been playing very well, having won 7 in a row.
I have to think there is something else going on because there isn’t any good reason why it would happen now and not last year when they were terrible. I know he had a strained relationship with Ichiro, but it just doesn’t make sense.
July 1, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Milton Bradley to the DL…..should be back right after the all star break.
I think this is a good decision, better to make sure he’s 100% healthy and ready to go as platooning Bradley/Cruz would probably lead to some serious problems.
July 1, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Apparently we’re going with the B sqaud today, as Branyan is starting at 3rd, Blum at SS, and Girl Mouth in RF. I personally think Kouz should be starting at 3rd so Branyan could play 1st and give Adrian a day, but I’m just a fan.
July 1, 2007 at 12:54 pm
5: Ouch, my thoughts of a sweep just went out the window. Why, with a groundball pitcher on the mound, we decided it was time to rest BOTH Kouz and Greene is beyond me? Does Khalil really need a day off?
July 1, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Ugh, there goes my good feeling about the game. Completely agree with Phantom that if we’re putting the B team out, Adrian should be one of the infielders being benched.
July 1, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I don’t know about you, but I think the lineup is just a sinister plot by the Giles brothers so that Marcus can be the player of the game.
July 1, 2007 at 1:05 pm
I think the pitching match up favors Billingsly, looking at K rate and BB rate, but he has given up his share of HR’s. It may be shattered soon, but sometimes the B team has a huge day. Everyone relaxed, limited expectations, get some good swings. We’ll see…
July 1, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Could be worse…we’ve got a really strong bench for today’s game. It’s nice to know that we’re assured of the series win before the game starts.
July 1, 2007 at 1:10 pm
I’m also happy to see Bradley go to the DL. It does seem to make sense to bring him back after the break.
July 1, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Not loving Cheo back in the lead-off slot.
July 1, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Gotta give the Padres credit for a strong first set of ABs. Billingsley got burned for double digit pitches that inning, so that’s a plus. If we can get into the bully by the sixth today, we stand a wonderful chance.
I hope Germano has some of his better stuff today. Here’s hoping for a sweep!
And Adrian so needs a day off.
July 1, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Any reasonable hypotheses of why AGon is sucking so much lately? His stance looks the same, his approach, but he just seems to be missing pitches he normally crushes. It is baffling.
July 1, 2007 at 1:23 pm
re 14-just a bad stretch….he’ll get better.
Also before we get to the all star selections, count me as pissed if the Padres end up with 2 all stars(Peavy and Young who should be locks) the Dodgers get 3 and the Giants get 2.
Oh, how do you walk Juan Pierre?
July 1, 2007 at 1:24 pm
14: It seems like he’s getting behind in the counts way too often. Also, he’s just swining at bad pitches with two strikes.
July 1, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Take that Hit and Run! Nice work by Germano to get the groundball there.
July 1, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Whoa, a Milton Bradley sighting!
July 1, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Nice outcome, but Justin survives by a) not walking/hitting guys b) not giving up HR’s. Let’s hope the BB to Pierre is an odd quirk.
July 1, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I love that the Cubs gave away Michael Barrett bobbleheads today.
July 1, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Nice job by Bocachica to clear the pitchers spot….especially since these may be his last days in San Diego
July 1, 2007 at 1:35 pm
20: I love that the Cubs gave us Barrett for mostly nothing.
July 1, 2007 at 1:35 pm
WTF is Vin Scully doing? Is the heat getting to him?
July 1, 2007 at 1:36 pm
What the crap is Vin Scully talking about?
Is this a baseball game or poetry slam night?
July 1, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I can hear my dad’s voice saying “a walk would be nice,” just like he always does in any situation like this.
July 1, 2007 at 1:37 pm
By the way, Billingsley at 43 pitches through two innings. Even though we haven’t gotten anything off him yet, that pace certainly bodes well for the Padres.
July 1, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Oh my! What a fantastic catch by Cameron!
July 1, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Whoa, nice grab by Cammy.
July 1, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Sweeeeeeet catch!!!!
Goddamnnnnnnnn
July 1, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Gameday says Cameron climbed over the fence, ran a few feet back, and then caught the ball. Did he rob a homer?
July 1, 2007 at 1:42 pm
30: He most certainly did. He made it look easy too.
July 1, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Cameron’s catch looked like he brought it back, a little hard to tell from the camera angle though
July 1, 2007 at 1:45 pm
#26: Billingsley’s high in pitches this year is 78, last time out against the Snakes. Got him through 4 innings.
July 1, 2007 at 1:45 pm
With the absence of LM, I’ll identify this:
Through 2 innings:
Billingsley: 44 pitches, 31 strikes. 9 batters faced
Germano: 19 pitches, 11 strikes. 6 batters face
July 1, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I realize that either Tulowitzki or Chris Young(the Arizona version) is going to win the award, but if Germano keeps this up he should get some play for rookie of the year.
He’s given the Pads everything they thought they were getting from Hensley. By the way, what the heck is wrong with Hensley?
July 1, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Damnit guys, no quick outs! Make Billingsley work.
July 1, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Love the high pitch count for Billingsley.
LOVE Cameron’s nab.
Hate the data crunching that’s currently distracting me from the game.
July 1, 2007 at 1:46 pm
What did I just say about quick outs!
July 1, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Those are some generous strikes against Adrian.
July 1, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I wouldn’t say that strike 2 was even hittable.
July 1, 2007 at 1:50 pm
That was an ugly inning.
#35: The way Ryan Braun is going, he should get some consideration as well.
July 1, 2007 at 1:52 pm
thanks Geoff, Braun should probably win it. I forgot about him and he technically isn’t a “qualified” batter yet
July 1, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Someone needs to remind Germano that he can’t afford to give up walks.
July 1, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Giles/Blum looking like they enjoyed the decoy on Kemp
July 1, 2007 at 1:56 pm
My daughter finally relenquished my computer to me.
#4: I think the Milton Bradley deal was a bad move. We don’t need him and his problems. What was KT thinking?
July 1, 2007 at 1:57 pm
You know that last pitch to Furcal was better then 2 of the strikes called against Adrian
July 1, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Complete luck right there by Furcal. That’s not Germano’s fault.
July 1, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Blum tries to decoy and just looks stupid.
July 1, 2007 at 2:00 pm
45: Bradley is a better player than the guys that he’s taking time away from. How exactly is he making the team worse? If it’s chemistry, what players are going to play worse because he’s on the team?
July 1, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I know it’s still early, but either way this game goes, at least we’ve got the series. Bring on the fish heads.
July 1, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Furcal looked like he limped home there. I think he might be hurt.
Man, poor Germano. They’re not even hitting the ball hard. And we’re running the B squad out in support of him.
July 1, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I’m not sure why the panic about Bradley….if he acts up then they cut him. It only costs them 700k and Andrew Brown.
Plus, I don’t think anyone can tell me that they are 100% comfortable with the outfield situation the way it stands now.
July 1, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Shit, this is getting out of hand now.
July 1, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Death by paper cuts.
July 1, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Suuuuuuuuuuucccccckkkkks
July 1, 2007 at 2:04 pm
This is how Germano operates. If the other team gets lucky on balls in play, then he’ll have a bad game. The Dodgers are getting lucky on balls in play this inning; Germano got lucky the first two.
July 1, 2007 at 2:06 pm
For want of a nail, my kingdom was lost.
July 1, 2007 at 2:06 pm
This is how the Dodgers operate as well. If the balls are falling for them, they score runs. If they aren’t, they generally don’t. They don’t have much power, and they don’t work the count all that much.
July 1, 2007 at 2:10 pm
All Stars out: Peavy and Hoffman made it. How does Chris Young not make this team?
July 1, 2007 at 2:11 pm
This is a f*ing JOKE!!!! CY is 3rd in the league in ERA and LaRussa leaves him off, unbelievable
July 1, 2007 at 2:11 pm
How does Hoffman make it? Bell’s been much better and Hoffman hasn’t been that great.
July 1, 2007 at 2:12 pm
61: As soon as I submitted it, I realized that All-Stars is not about just this year, and this could be Hoffman’s last season, so he definitely deserves to go.
July 1, 2007 at 2:12 pm
59: where did you see the roster? If CY is not on the roster, then someone needs to “shake” LaRussa.
July 1, 2007 at 2:15 pm
62: Has there been talk of Trevor Retiring?
July 1, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Seriously, an argument could be made for making CY the *starter* for the all-star game… Geeesh, if this is for real, then I really hope CY gets a shot at being the *final vote* candidate… seriously, though, this is ridiculous.
July 1, 2007 at 2:16 pm
I’m glad they left CY out. If he made the All Star team it would drive up his asking price. We have him for a song and a dance ($750K) right now. Jake is definately a high dollar guy. So is CY. Think about the business of the matter.
On another note: Why are we signing Milton Bradley? He is duped with injuries and legal problems.
July 1, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I feel pretty bad for Germano, although he has given up two well struck balls. He’s just not getting any run support whatsoever.
July 1, 2007 at 2:18 pm
66: Because he’s better than our current left fielders.
64: I haven’t heard any discussion of it this year, but I thought his contract ended this year, and last year the general consensus seemed to be Hoffman would come back this year to get his 500th save and then probably retire.
July 1, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Love the hustle Geoff
July 1, 2007 at 2:19 pm
66: Huh? CY signed an extension earlier this year.
July 1, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Yikes, Justin is getting lit up.
68: I think Trevor has an option for next year that vests with a certain amount of innings.
July 1, 2007 at 2:20 pm
#54: Geoff, your right. Death by paper cuts. This is not a good thing.
July 1, 2007 at 2:22 pm
#70: I’m thinking in the future. Not what is current.
July 1, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Hoffman has a club option for next year at $5.5 million that vests if he finishes 90 games in 2006-07 or 45 in one of those years. Since he had 46 saves last year, I assume it has vested.
July 1, 2007 at 2:26 pm
73: man, that’s thinking way too much about the bottom line — a distant bottom line at that. I very much would prefer to see CY and the Padres get the respect they deserve. Best record in the NL and only 2 people make the all-star game???
July 1, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Ugh, this is embarassing.
July 1, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Okay, BRUCE - where did you see the all-star roster?/??
July 1, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Does anyone have a link to the rosters? Where did the information on the rosters come from?
July 1, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Ahh, remember when Billingsley had thrown 44 pitches through 2? Those were the good ole’ days. Now he’s only thrown 72 through 5.
July 1, 2007 at 2:32 pm
78: I’m wondering if Bruce was jerking our chain. I can’t find the rosters on mlb.com, espn.com, or foxsports.com. Also, the rosters aren’t supposed to be released until after the braves game, which just went to extras.
July 1, 2007 at 2:41 pm
80: I thought there was supposed to be something on TBS at 1pm PT, but since I don’t have American television maybe that’s the “after the Braves game” thing you’re talking about.
About CY, yes he should definitely get a nod, but will he even be able to play if he’s serving a suspension over the break? He should still make the team, no question (there’s no official news that he’s serving his suspension then), but I’m just wondering what the logistics there are.
July 1, 2007 at 2:43 pm
#75: I still can’t see how Milton Bradley will be an asset to this club.
July 1, 2007 at 2:44 pm
#80: Matt and Mud announced the rosters on Channel 4 at 2 p.m. PT.
July 1, 2007 at 2:44 pm
82: Yeah, I’m still a little iffy on the Milton Bradley trade. He can be a heckuva player, but also a heckuva distraction. Hopefully being around someone like Mike Cameron will get him straightened out.
July 1, 2007 at 2:45 pm
82: Because he’s better than our current left fielders.
July 1, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Nice, Marlins in extra innings in Florida at the moment so hopefully they’ll be nice a tired tomorrow after the long game and long flight.
July 1, 2007 at 2:46 pm
83: Wow, so it’s official. I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
July 1, 2007 at 2:50 pm
CY can still make the All-Star Game. He’s on the final vote ballot along with Roy Oswalt, Carlos Zambrano, Brandon Webb, and Tom Gorzelanny.
July 1, 2007 at 2:52 pm
88: Doesn’t seem likely that he would pitch even if he made the roster… I mean, has LaRussa forgotten the whooping that CY game him in this one playoff start last year…
July 1, 2007 at 2:52 pm
In the silver linings department, Cameron has been hitting the ball with authority to right and right-center today.
July 1, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Billingsley has thrown 44 pitches in innings 3-7 after 44 pitches in the first two innings. He has also struck out 6 guys in those 5 innings. The Padres are really good at striking out really fast.
July 1, 2007 at 2:55 pm
No Padre Will ever make the game via “Final Ballot”. Tht’s just absolutely ridiculous. 8 wins and 3rd in ERA… Shuts down the Dog and Sox in recent games… just friggin silly and ridiculous. I did a column this morning preparing for Hoffy being left off… I never imagined thhey could pass up CY.
July 1, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Furcal goes deep.
July 1, 2007 at 2:56 pm
91: And shockingly 1-2-3 you’re out Greene isn’t even in the lineup today.
And the bleeding continues…
July 1, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Wow. Padres giving up homers to Furcal and Nomar in one series. That’s pretty bad.
July 1, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Yeah, sorry I got my info from Channel 4.
July 1, 2007 at 2:58 pm
This game is turning into a laugher. What the hell is going on?
July 1, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Gotta love strikeouts of Matt Kemp. Ned Colletti hates strikeouts, so each one makes Kemp more likely to be shipped out for peanuts.
July 1, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Nice K for KCam to get out of a bases loaded jam there, even if its in a no leverage situation. I guess in an appearance like this he’s the human nightcap rather than the HVC?
July 1, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Looks like blue gave KCam some help with Furcal.
No loss is good, but you can count on one hand the number of times we just haven’t been in game this season. I don’t like seeing a tribute band instead of the genuine article today, but part of me appreciates Black’s confidence, that he feels the team is good enough to rest the regulars some days. Not Adrian, of course. He must play every inning of every game.
Bradley is a better player than 4 of our outfielders. He has no legal problems; he did have the cops called to his house a few years ago. We need a RH bat; he’s a very good hitter from the right side and gives you the LH option. Better defender than Sledge. It’s a cheap, significant upgrade. How can anyone complain about that?
July 1, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I was going to ask if anyone was up for a 5-run rally, but then I saw B(l)um was up. Wouldn’t want to pinch hit for him, now would we? He got a hit last night.
July 1, 2007 at 3:41 pm
101: The bus is idling in the parking lot. Blum’s doing his job getting the boys back home on time.
Really, why not give Giles a crack there?
July 1, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Relating to doubts about the Bradley acqusition:
Can someone explain to me the effect of chemistry? I know it’s not quantifiable, but I have no idea how chemistry could possibly make a team better or worse. How does chemistry manifest itself on the field in real results?
July 1, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I think bad chemistry leads to unhappy players and guys who don’t hustle and are unwilling to play hard on the field. It’s a problem this team hasn’t seen in ages, and one that I don’t think Bradley will cause.
July 1, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Happy people perform better and work as a team better.
They should just all swing over to Disneyland with Bradley on the way home. That always made me happier as a kid.
I think the Bradley trade is smart, as long as it doesn’t keep Towers from looking into more trades. If MB is a problem, we get rid of him with little lost. If not, he’s a clear improvement both offensively and defensively over Crudge.
July 1, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Tony LaRussa selected six relievers instead of naming Chris Young to the All-Star team. And none of the closers were added to satisfy the every team