Padres drop 3-2 decision in series finale

The San Diego Padres had plenty of opportunities to put the Dodgers away, but the same problem this team had last year, came up to bite them again. In more than 3 innings, the Padres had runners in scoring position, but failed to bring them in.

Not only that, but Brian Giles was thrown out twice at the plate. The first time coming on a fielder's choice in the home half of the 1st inning, then again in the home half of the third. Both came off the bat of Tag Iguchi.

Starter Chris Young had his typical good outing for the Padres. Going 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks and striking out eight. Only problem is, Dodgers starter Derek Lowe matched him, going 6 innings giving up 2 runs (1 ER) on 5 hits and striking out six. Both starters didn't factor in the decision since the game was tied at 2 after 7 innings.

In the 8th, Heath Bell worked his way out of trouble and the Padres handed the ball to Trevor Hoffman in the 9th. For the 2nd time in 4 appearances, Trevor couldn't hold a team at bay. Dodgers' catcher Russell Martin would open up with a leadoff single and would be sacrificed over to 2nd. Then Chin Lung-Hu would single, scoring Martin from 2nd and giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the 9th, which was secured by closer Takashi Saito for his first save of the 2008 season.

The Padres will board a charter plane tonight bound for San Francisco for a 3-game set against the Giants. Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf and Justin Germano are all scheduled to pitch this week.

Peavy dominates, Padres win

If there was a question about whether or not Jake Peavy could repeat his performance of 2007, he's answered it over his last 2 starts of the 2008 season.

Peavy's last 2 starts, he's combined for 16 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, good for a 0.56 ERA and improved to 10-1 in 19 career starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers after a 4-1 victory on Saturday. Peavy added a new pitch to his repertoire in the offseason, a changeup. Although he only used it a few times against the Astros in his first start, he mixed it in well against the Dodgers tonight.

Catcher Josh Bard, “He threw a couple on opening night, but I thought he did a really good job tonight. It gave him another pitch. Guys like Kent and Martin have seen his slider a lot, and it’s still the best slider in the game, but sometimes they’re cheating for it. We threw a little wrinkle in there. You can’t say enough.”

There was some controversy tonight, however. Padres' closer Trevor Hoffman had been warming up in the bullpen and was ready to go, but manager Bud Black decided to let Peavy go out and finish up his complete game. Jake said it was no disrespect to Hoffman, but more the confidence Black had in Jake.

Padres' pitcher Jake Peavy, “We have the best closer of all time down there, man. The guy’s as good as it gets. Division opponent, save situation. It’s tough to get back out there, but I appreciate Buddy showing the confidence in me. That’s absolutely no disrespect for No. 51. I just appreciate the confidence that Buddy showed in me. It was a good win for the boys. No doubt, we had to have it. Got to win this one to have a chance to come out tomorrow and win the series.”

Manager Bud Black, “We would have felt good either way. It was good to give the bullpen a day off and I think it was good that Jake felt good about his stuff. You combine all that and our decision after eight that he felt strong.”

The Padres will finish up the 3-game set against the Dodgers tomorrow afternoon from Petco Park. The Padres will have big 6'10" right-hander Chris Young on the mound while the Dodgers will counter with Derek Lowe. Game time is 1:05pm.