I didn’t see it, don’t even really want to know about it. I was watching Padres GM Jed Hoyer speak — along with former Dodgers GMs Fred Claire and Dan Evans — at SABR41 (I’m still sifting through my notes; a report will follow at some later date) when Aaron Harang and friends almost spun the first no-hitter in club history.
Well, “almost” is an exaggeration. The Padres managed one hit and zero runs, so even if Luke Gregerson had recorded the final out in the ninth, the game would have gone to extra innings.
I followed along on my cell phone and chuckled to myself at the thought that one of these two “offenses” eventually had to score a run. While Hoyer reminded us that the Padres payroll is reality and cannot be used as a crutch, Gregerson served up a double to Juan Uribe.
These two events may or may not have occurred simultaneously. It’s called a narrative device, and I’m asking you to willingly suspend your disbelief… not about the Padres’ inability to hit baseballs, of course; I am a reasonable man…
Moments after Uribe broke up the no-hitter, the Dodgers won. You can read details elsewhere… someone who gives two snorts will tell you all about it.
* * *
I heard a hilarious joke this weekend, but it’s incredibly vulgar so I can’t repeat it here. I’ll tell you a different one instead:
Q: How did the Padres score their only run in three games at Dodger Stadium?
A: Rob Johnson homered on Sunday.
The other joke is funnier… and only slightly more vulgar.
* * *
This is the part where I would break down the season’s first half, but the Padres break down just fine without my help, so we’ll skip the formalities and acknowledge that it sucked. The best that can be said about the Padres is that at least they aren’t the Astros. As consolation goes, that is right there with putting salt in your eyes.
At least we get a break now. Things are bound to improve. And if they don’t… well, sometimes that happens.
Scott Kaplan is saying on the radio this morning that Heath Bell is one of the few Padres (along with Maybin, Rizzo, Latos, and Mike Adams) who should be considered untouchable and not be traded. He’s crazy. I agree on Maybin, Rizzo, Latos, and Adams, but Heath Bell needs to be #1 on the trade block. Get what you can for him, put this nightmare season behind us, and let’s move forward with 2012 in mind.
5 games ago the Padres fans had a glimpse of hope that maybe, just maybe the Padres could at least make things interesting going down the stretch, but once Mike Adams gave up the 5-3 lead in San Francisco it appeared the Padres just about gave up. I can’t explain it, but it seemed like they stopped playing with the fire they had the first 2 games of the Giants series.
I find it funny how quickly things can change.. Padres just had little room for error prior to the trade deadline. Odds are they would have been sellers regardless, but as a fan I kept hoping they would have some of the success of last year, this year. Even though they did not make the playoffs last year I really enjoyed the season and we all like a winning team, but what it comes down to is it is nice to at least have a competitive team that can make things interesting.
At least now after a 5 game losing streak there is no more false hope about somehow salvaging this season. We can now trade everyone who’s name is not Latos, Luebke, Stauffer, Maybin, and Rizzo. All we need is two OF’s, SS, 2B and a C! Keep the faith!
Ugh
I heard Ted Leitner say on the radio this morning that James Darnell can play second base quite well. He was saying it in order to make the point that there’s room for Headley, Blanks, and Darnell in the same lineup in the future.
Is that accurate at all, or is he just blowing smoke? Anyone have any insight?
Not only did I almost throw up in my mouth…but I also threw up a little in my mouth.
(insert dry-heave sound)
The Padres losing the combined no-no and we’re talking 8 2/3rd’s —then losing the game…I’m sure you’ve all seen the stat: the last team to do that was the 1967 Tigers.
Hey, didn’t they go on to win the WS the next year?
Dear Baseball God(s),
Please, I beg of you, allow history to repeat itself (like it always does, like it always does).
San Diego Padres are your 2012 World Series Champions!
Then the world can end and I wouldn’t care.
Okay, damn, who am I kidding—yeah I’d care…but it wouldn’t be THAT bad.
(insert a more violent dry-heave sound)
@USMC
Leitner’s wrong. He’s probably mistaking Darnell for Forsythe, who the Padres reportedly see as more of a 3b / utility guy.
The only way there’s room for all 3 of those players is if Darnell can play a capable RF or if they trade Rizzo. The odds of the former aren’t great, but they’re better than the odds of the latter.