We watched Mat Latos’ season debut from Section 301. The stadium scoreboard had his fastball at 92-96 mph, and he mostly located his pitches well. Two exceptions came in the fifth inning. First, he got ahead of no. 8 hitter Paul Janish and couldn’t put him away. Then, after opposing starter Edinson Volquez failed to sacrifice Janish to second, Latos left a fastball up against Chris Heisey, who slammed it for a two-run homer to left that would be the game winner. Continue reading ›
Wednesday Links (13 Apr 11)
While the Padres have been busy losing winnable games, I’ve been busy doing life stuff. In lieu of actual content, here are some links… Continue reading ›
Me, Elsewhere: Nice Backstop
My latest at Baseball Prospectus ($) examines the National League West catchers. You know about Nick Hundley, but Arizona’s Miguel Montero is off to a ridiculous start as well. I love small samples… Also, there is a Dame Diana Rigg reference, for those of you with exquisite taste…
Dali Meets Federman
What the heck happened this weekend? It was a Dali painting wrapped in a Federman novel inside a flaming bag of… well, it was weird… Continue reading ›
Farm Report: Sampson Has a Good Hair Day
The station that carries the San Antonio Missions games on radio also features a show called “Down on the Farm Radio.” I was pumped, thinking maybe I could learn more about Padres prospects that way. No such… it’s about actual farms. You know… hog reports, monster lizards, and what not.
It’s an old-school country station, and the tunes of George Jones, Johnny Cash, George Strait, and Mel Tillis streamed through my headphones before the game. It was like tuning into KLAC AM 570 when the Lakers (basketball mattered then) were between games back in the day. (Amusingly, if entirely irrelevant, KLAC is now owned by a company based in San Antonio.) Continue reading ›
Happy Minor League Opening Day!
While the Padres are enjoying their third day off in the season’s first eight days, their four full-season minor-league affiliates kick off the 2011 schedule on Thursday. Here’s a little something to help you follow along from wherever you may be… Continue reading ›
Me, Elsewhere: Contrasting Defensive Styles
My latest look at the NL West over at Baseball Prospectus (freebie) considers the respective defensive approaches (or lack thereof) of the Giants and Dodgers. And I offer a few thoughts on the Padres’ opening weekend series win in St. Louis:
Most people don’t expect much from the Padres in 2011. Three games doesn’t change that, but it’s encouraging to see the starters give up six runs in 19 innings in the house of a presumed contender, one led by the best player on the planet. Considering that their ace, Mat Latos, isn’t even on the active roster thanks to shoulder bursitis, San Diego will take it.
Enjoy… And Happy Home Opening Day!
Pity About the Padres Offense (Non-Ironic Remix)
I jinxed the Padres with the title of Sunday’s article. Because, you know, I have that kind of power. And this is the best use I can find for it. You’d think something of greater consequence might be in order, but no… I’m all about writing headlines that inspire their subject to negate said headlines. As powers go, it’s not much better than being able to predict ice cream headaches, but what can you do. Continue reading ›
No Offense in Houston, Plenty in San Antonio
by Geoff Young on Apr 15, 2011 (9) Comments
I missed Thursday night’s loss in Houston. Apparently so did the Padres.
My excuse was day job and taxes. Theirs was… Dustin Moseley on the mound? The Padres have been shut out in all three of his starts this season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Moseley is just the third pitcher since 1972 to receive zero run support in his first three starts (Rudy May, 1972; Kenny Rogers, 2008). Continue reading ›