If I had told you a few weeks ago that the Padres would win eight straight after going through a 4-18 slump, there's not a single person that would have believed me. But that's exactly what they've done.
Josh Geer pitched a strong six and two third innings on Saturday night, giving up just one run and striking out a career high seven batters, as the Padres won their eighth straight in a 3-1 win over the Cubs.
When Chicago jumped out early on a solo home run from first baseman Derek Lee to lead off the second inning, it looked like the Cubs were going to show their strength, but Geer would settle down and shut down the Cubs through the next five and a third innings.
If you want an amazing stat through this eight game win streak, and this should absolutely show why strong pitching beats a strong offense. The San Diego Padres, as a team, are hitting .198, their starters have a collective 2.22 ERA and their bullpen you ask, well they're just shutting everyone down to the tune of a 0.34 ERA (tip of the cap to Corey Brock of MLB.com for those stats).
Even though the Padres, as a team, aren't hitting above the Mendoza line during this streak, they're getting the timely hits when they need them. That's exactly what happened on Saturday night against the Cubs.
In the fourth, with two on and two out, Brian Giles hit a shot just inside the left field line, scoring Edgar Gonzalez and Scott Hairston to put San Diego ahead, 2-1.
The score would stay that way until the seventh inning when Chris Burke would add an insurance run with an RBI single to center, scoring Nick Hundley and giving San Diego a 3-1 lead.
Things would get dicey in the top half of the ninth. With Heath Bell unavailable, Padres' manager Bud Black turned to Edward Mujica to close out the game and get his first save of the season. Right off the bat, he would give up back-to-back singles to former Padre Milton Bradley and first baseman Derek Lee.
With runners on the corners and noone out, it looked like the Cubs could be set for a ninth inning rally but Mujica got outfielder Micah Hoffpauir to hit a grounder right at Adrian Gonzalez who looked Bradley back to third and throw out Lee at second base for the all important double play. Mujica would then get Giovany Soto to strike out to end the game and push San Diego's win streak to eight games.
It was the Padres' bullpen that again came up strong after Geer's big outing. Greg Burke, Luke Gregerson and Edward Mujica combined for two and a third scoreless innings giving up just two hits and striking out three to close out the game. They've been a huge factor for this team and have been nothing short of dominant since the shakeup almost a few weeks ago.
The Padres will go for their ninth straight win, something they haven't done since 2006 as they finish out their three game set against the Cubs on Sunday afternoon. The Padres ran up nine straight from April 30th - May 8th, 2006, their ninth straight win coming as part of a four game sweep of, and this may just be a little irony, the Chicago Cubs. The Padres have the right guy on the hill to continue the streak, 6'10" right hander Chris Young (3-2, 5.07), the Cubs will have left hander Ted Lilly (5-3, 3.35) who beat the Padres at Wrigley Field on May 13th.
Showing posts with label Edward Mujica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edward Mujica. Show all posts
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Could Changes Be Abound For the San Diego Padres?
After watching another game get away Thursday night, don't expect general manager Kevin Towers to sit around and watch while the season gets away from the Padres early.
MLB.com's Corey Brock has a post up on his blog this afternoon talking about possible changes that might come around and a familiar 'scowl' on the face of Towers.
Look for the first course of action to be the bullpen which has struggled mightily over this bad ten game stretch the Padres have been on. Guys like Edward Mujica, Edwin Moreno and Luke Gregerson could be on the trading blocks, not to mention Duaner Sanchez and Cla Meredith could be in trouble as well.
On the offensive side of things, Brian Giles may not have a job much longer, especially if he continues to struggle like he has lately. Giles has yet to reach the .200 mark and got moved from the third spot in the lineup to the leadoff position after hitting .169 through the first 21 games. It didn't help as Giles went hitless again, dropping his average down to .163.
Another guy that could find his way out is short stop Chris Burke who is a viable defensive option but doesn't offer much at the plate. He could prompt Kevin Towers to look at the waiver wire or look at trade options to find another backup short stop until Everth Cabrera returns from injury.
The biggest story could be that of Jake Peavy. The Padres' ace right hander is trying to rebound from a rough start to his 2009 season as he gets the start on Friday night against the rival Dodgers. Peavy is 1-2 with a 5.79 ERA and during an interview with Darren Smith of San Diego's XX Sports Radio, general manager Kevin Towers says Peavy needs to step it up.
"For Jake to even be an attractive piece for another ball club, he's going to have to step it up as well. We're certainly not going to just give him away just to move the dollars. Any Peavy deal we would consider doing we're going to have to get good players back and for that to happen he's going to have to pitch better. It's two fold, hopefully we stay in it and stay competitive Hopefully he pitches a little bit better for the next two and a half months, makes it a difficult decision for us either to move him or hold onto him. As for right now, plan on him being here."
The good news for San Diego will be the return of starters Cha Seung Baek and Walter Silva sometime in the next few weeks. On top of that, getting good news about right hander Shawn Hill's injury that he suffered on Sunday April 26th. Test results showed fluid that had built up in back of the elbow, also some tendinitis in the forearm. He's expected to re-join the Padres in the next few weeks.
If this team can pull their pitching back together and their offense can keep putting up the kind of numbers they have recently, this team can stay in the NL West for the long haul. But if their pitching continues to struggle, this season could be over long before the trade deadline.
MLB.com's Corey Brock has a post up on his blog this afternoon talking about possible changes that might come around and a familiar 'scowl' on the face of Towers.
Look for the first course of action to be the bullpen which has struggled mightily over this bad ten game stretch the Padres have been on. Guys like Edward Mujica, Edwin Moreno and Luke Gregerson could be on the trading blocks, not to mention Duaner Sanchez and Cla Meredith could be in trouble as well.
On the offensive side of things, Brian Giles may not have a job much longer, especially if he continues to struggle like he has lately. Giles has yet to reach the .200 mark and got moved from the third spot in the lineup to the leadoff position after hitting .169 through the first 21 games. It didn't help as Giles went hitless again, dropping his average down to .163.
Another guy that could find his way out is short stop Chris Burke who is a viable defensive option but doesn't offer much at the plate. He could prompt Kevin Towers to look at the waiver wire or look at trade options to find another backup short stop until Everth Cabrera returns from injury.
The biggest story could be that of Jake Peavy. The Padres' ace right hander is trying to rebound from a rough start to his 2009 season as he gets the start on Friday night against the rival Dodgers. Peavy is 1-2 with a 5.79 ERA and during an interview with Darren Smith of San Diego's XX Sports Radio, general manager Kevin Towers says Peavy needs to step it up.
"For Jake to even be an attractive piece for another ball club, he's going to have to step it up as well. We're certainly not going to just give him away just to move the dollars. Any Peavy deal we would consider doing we're going to have to get good players back and for that to happen he's going to have to pitch better. It's two fold, hopefully we stay in it and stay competitive Hopefully he pitches a little bit better for the next two and a half months, makes it a difficult decision for us either to move him or hold onto him. As for right now, plan on him being here."
The good news for San Diego will be the return of starters Cha Seung Baek and Walter Silva sometime in the next few weeks. On top of that, getting good news about right hander Shawn Hill's injury that he suffered on Sunday April 26th. Test results showed fluid that had built up in back of the elbow, also some tendinitis in the forearm. He's expected to re-join the Padres in the next few weeks.
If this team can pull their pitching back together and their offense can keep putting up the kind of numbers they have recently, this team can stay in the NL West for the long haul. But if their pitching continues to struggle, this season could be over long before the trade deadline.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Padres-Rockies: Pinch Hit Single Lifts Padres Past Rockies
With the game tied at 3-3, the last person you'd think Padres' manager Bud Black would call upon was a guy who had spent Sunday and Monday in a San Diego Hospital after suffering an allergic reaction to calamari, not to mention only having one hit in his last nineteen at bats.
But Black turned to short stop Luis Rodriguez in the ninth inning asked him to get that one hit that would put the Padres' back in front of the Rockies. So, with Nick Hundley standing on third after a lead off triple, and the Rockies' infield drawn in, Rodriguez did just that, hitting a Manny Corpas sinker just past the diving Todd Helton that would give the Padres a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth inning.
It was all the room Padres' closer Heath Bell would need, closing out the game for his major league leading eighth save of the season and assuring a 4-3 Padres' win.
Newly called up Chad Gaudin, making his first start for San Diego, was very impressive through his five innings of work giving up just three hits and striking out five, not giving up his first hit until the fourth inning. He was expected to be on a pitch count of around 90-100 and after hitting 88 pitches after five innings, manager Bud Black decided to go to his bullpen.
"He had a pretty good fifth inning, but I just thought that at that point it was best to give [Edward] Mujica a clean inning," said Black. "In case there was a baserunner or two in the sixth and I felt as though I had to go get Chad, I didn't want to throw that on a reliever at that point. Mujica was fresh. Give him a clean inning. And Chad can walk away from this one feeling pretty good about his outing."
The Padres would take an early lead in the third inning, thanks to a two run home run from center fielder Scott Hairston, his third of the season to put the Padres ahead 2-0.
Just when it looked like the Padres were going to hold the Rockies off all night, it was their bullpen that faultered. Edward Mujica would give up a solo home run in the sixth inning to Seth Smith, then Luke Gregerson gave up RBI singles to Ryan Spilbourgh and Todd Helton in the seventh to put the Rockies on top 3-2.
The Padres are getting used to coming from behind, having done it on numerous occasions already this season, Tuesday night was no exception.
Second baseman David Eckstein led off the eighth with a double to left off former Padre Alan Embree. Brian Giles would fly out followed by a ground out from first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, moving Eckstein to third. With two outs and Eckstein standing on third, Chase Headley would rip his eleventh RBI single of the season, a single to right to tie the game at 3-3.
In the home half of the eighth, Padres' reliever Duaner Sanchez, making his first appearance since being sidlined with a sore pitching shoulder, got himself into trouble by loading the bases with just one out, but he would get Troy Tulowitzki to ground into an inning ending double play to end the Rockies' threat.
That set the stage for the Padres' comeback and a win this team desperately needed.
The two teams will be back at it tonight from Coors Field in Denver, CO. The Padres will have right hander Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.50) on the hill while the Rockies will go with right hander Aaron Cook (0-1, 8.35). Cook has struggled over his first four starts, giving up three runs or more in each of those starts including giving up five runs through four innings against the Dodgers and six runs through two and a third innings against Arizona.
Additional Padre Notes: Adrian Gonzalez extended his hit streak to 10 games with a single in the sixth inning. He also extended his on base streak to 20 straight games.
But Black turned to short stop Luis Rodriguez in the ninth inning asked him to get that one hit that would put the Padres' back in front of the Rockies. So, with Nick Hundley standing on third after a lead off triple, and the Rockies' infield drawn in, Rodriguez did just that, hitting a Manny Corpas sinker just past the diving Todd Helton that would give the Padres a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth inning.
It was all the room Padres' closer Heath Bell would need, closing out the game for his major league leading eighth save of the season and assuring a 4-3 Padres' win.
Newly called up Chad Gaudin, making his first start for San Diego, was very impressive through his five innings of work giving up just three hits and striking out five, not giving up his first hit until the fourth inning. He was expected to be on a pitch count of around 90-100 and after hitting 88 pitches after five innings, manager Bud Black decided to go to his bullpen.
"He had a pretty good fifth inning, but I just thought that at that point it was best to give [Edward] Mujica a clean inning," said Black. "In case there was a baserunner or two in the sixth and I felt as though I had to go get Chad, I didn't want to throw that on a reliever at that point. Mujica was fresh. Give him a clean inning. And Chad can walk away from this one feeling pretty good about his outing."
The Padres would take an early lead in the third inning, thanks to a two run home run from center fielder Scott Hairston, his third of the season to put the Padres ahead 2-0.
Just when it looked like the Padres were going to hold the Rockies off all night, it was their bullpen that faultered. Edward Mujica would give up a solo home run in the sixth inning to Seth Smith, then Luke Gregerson gave up RBI singles to Ryan Spilbourgh and Todd Helton in the seventh to put the Rockies on top 3-2.
The Padres are getting used to coming from behind, having done it on numerous occasions already this season, Tuesday night was no exception.
Second baseman David Eckstein led off the eighth with a double to left off former Padre Alan Embree. Brian Giles would fly out followed by a ground out from first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, moving Eckstein to third. With two outs and Eckstein standing on third, Chase Headley would rip his eleventh RBI single of the season, a single to right to tie the game at 3-3.
In the home half of the eighth, Padres' reliever Duaner Sanchez, making his first appearance since being sidlined with a sore pitching shoulder, got himself into trouble by loading the bases with just one out, but he would get Troy Tulowitzki to ground into an inning ending double play to end the Rockies' threat.
That set the stage for the Padres' comeback and a win this team desperately needed.
The two teams will be back at it tonight from Coors Field in Denver, CO. The Padres will have right hander Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.50) on the hill while the Rockies will go with right hander Aaron Cook (0-1, 8.35). Cook has struggled over his first four starts, giving up three runs or more in each of those starts including giving up five runs through four innings against the Dodgers and six runs through two and a third innings against Arizona.
Additional Padre Notes: Adrian Gonzalez extended his hit streak to 10 games with a single in the sixth inning. He also extended his on base streak to 20 straight games.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Padres-Rockies: Young Can't Stop the Bleeding, Padres' Loss
The last time Padres' ace Jake Peavy struggled, their number two man Chris Young came out and was dominant in his outing. Only problem was he left with a no decision and the Padres ended up losing that game to the Giants.
This time around, both pitchers struggled and both in a big way. After Peavy gave up five runs against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon, the Padres were hoping Chris Young would be able to come out and stop the bleeding and keep the team from their third straight loss and sixth loss in their last seven games. Unfortunately, it didn't go the way they or Young had hoped as the Padres were thumped by the Colorado Rockies 12-7 from Coors Field on Monday night.
The Rockies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the very first inning, but the Padres would rally for four runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead, a lead that Chris Young usually holds, but not on this night.
Young would give up eight runs (all earned) on seven hits in just three innings of work, his ERA now up to 5.74 in just four starts. If you were to tell me that Jake Peavy and Chris Young would both have an ERA close to 6.00 after just four starts each, I would have told you the Padres would be struggling mightily, and they are.
With Chris Young's loss last night, it marks the fourth straight game the Padres have lost with either Peavy or Young on the mound, both pitchers sporting a 5.74 ERA and it marked Young's second implosion in his last three starts.
Over the past few seasons, it's been the offense that has given their pitchers a lack of support, only scoring one or two runs a game. This time, it's their pitching that can't hold leads.
The offense had given them leads against Philadelphia just a few weeks ago, a lead that disappeared in just one inning, a game they eventually lost.
They had a lead against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon after a two run home run from Adrian Gonzalez, a lead Jake Peavy quickly gave up and then some.
And then there was last night, down 2-0 after one inning, to come back and score four runs in third to give your starter a 4-2 lead just for him to turn around and give those four runs right back and have the lead vanish just like that.
So, if Peavy can't stop the bleeding and neither can your number two guy in Chris Young, who is going to step up and take the initiative? Will it be Kevin Correia, who seems to be the Padres' most affective pitcher to this point? Will it be Josh Geer, who had a terrific first start last week but had a disastrous relief appearance on Sunday afternoon? Or will it be Chad Gaudin, the man who is slated to start against Colorado after being called up from Triple-A Portland yesterday?
The Padres need to figure out something and quickly. Their starters have only worked into the seventh inning just a few times this season, one of those being Josh Geer's start last week. Their bullpen is overworked, which would explain the struggles of Duaner Sanchez (7.11) and Edward Mujica (4.15), not to mention Luis Perdomo (6.43).
Since the Padres 9-4 start to the season, they've lost six of their last seven and they currently sit at 10-10 with no sign of recovery in sight.
All this team can do is hope that Chad Gaudin can hold the Rockies in check and let their offense do what they've done well so far this season, put up runs. If they can do that and if Gaudin can work into the seventh inning and hand the lead over to the Padres' bullpen, San Diego might be able to stop the free-fall they're currently experiencing.
If he can't stop the losses, don't expect that same free fall to end any time soon.
Additional Padre notes: Padres' first baseman Adrian Gonzalez extended his hit streak to eight straight games with an RBI double in the top half of the sixth inning. He has reached base safely in all 20 games this season.
This time around, both pitchers struggled and both in a big way. After Peavy gave up five runs against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon, the Padres were hoping Chris Young would be able to come out and stop the bleeding and keep the team from their third straight loss and sixth loss in their last seven games. Unfortunately, it didn't go the way they or Young had hoped as the Padres were thumped by the Colorado Rockies 12-7 from Coors Field on Monday night.
The Rockies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the very first inning, but the Padres would rally for four runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead, a lead that Chris Young usually holds, but not on this night.
Young would give up eight runs (all earned) on seven hits in just three innings of work, his ERA now up to 5.74 in just four starts. If you were to tell me that Jake Peavy and Chris Young would both have an ERA close to 6.00 after just four starts each, I would have told you the Padres would be struggling mightily, and they are.
With Chris Young's loss last night, it marks the fourth straight game the Padres have lost with either Peavy or Young on the mound, both pitchers sporting a 5.74 ERA and it marked Young's second implosion in his last three starts.
Over the past few seasons, it's been the offense that has given their pitchers a lack of support, only scoring one or two runs a game. This time, it's their pitching that can't hold leads.
The offense had given them leads against Philadelphia just a few weeks ago, a lead that disappeared in just one inning, a game they eventually lost.
They had a lead against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon after a two run home run from Adrian Gonzalez, a lead Jake Peavy quickly gave up and then some.
And then there was last night, down 2-0 after one inning, to come back and score four runs in third to give your starter a 4-2 lead just for him to turn around and give those four runs right back and have the lead vanish just like that.
So, if Peavy can't stop the bleeding and neither can your number two guy in Chris Young, who is going to step up and take the initiative? Will it be Kevin Correia, who seems to be the Padres' most affective pitcher to this point? Will it be Josh Geer, who had a terrific first start last week but had a disastrous relief appearance on Sunday afternoon? Or will it be Chad Gaudin, the man who is slated to start against Colorado after being called up from Triple-A Portland yesterday?
The Padres need to figure out something and quickly. Their starters have only worked into the seventh inning just a few times this season, one of those being Josh Geer's start last week. Their bullpen is overworked, which would explain the struggles of Duaner Sanchez (7.11) and Edward Mujica (4.15), not to mention Luis Perdomo (6.43).
Since the Padres 9-4 start to the season, they've lost six of their last seven and they currently sit at 10-10 with no sign of recovery in sight.
All this team can do is hope that Chad Gaudin can hold the Rockies in check and let their offense do what they've done well so far this season, put up runs. If they can do that and if Gaudin can work into the seventh inning and hand the lead over to the Padres' bullpen, San Diego might be able to stop the free-fall they're currently experiencing.
If he can't stop the losses, don't expect that same free fall to end any time soon.
Additional Padre notes: Padres' first baseman Adrian Gonzalez extended his hit streak to eight straight games with an RBI double in the top half of the sixth inning. He has reached base safely in all 20 games this season.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Padres-Phillies: Phillies Have Comeback of Their Own in Win Over Padres
I thought it was the San Diego Padres that were the king of comebacks. Well, this afternoon, the Phillies showed they were just as capable of coming back as Rual Ibanez hit a walk-off two run home run of Padres' reliever Edwin Moreno for a 5-4 Phillies win.
Through most of the game, it looked like the Padres were going to win their ninth in ten games, getting a strong pitching performance from recently called up Josh Geer. Geer pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs (1 earned) on six hits, struck out for and didn't walk a single batter.
The Padres got on top first thanks to an RBI single from outfielder Jody Gerut and an RBI triple from second baseman Edgar Gonzalez to put the Padres on top 2-0. An RBI groundout from Brian Giles, scoring Gonzalez, gave the Padres a 3-0 lead after three innings.
The Padres would extend that lead even further in the top half of the fifth when Adrian Gonzalez unloaded on former teammate Chan Ho Park and sent his fifth home run of the year deep to right field for a 4-0 San Diego lead.
Phillies' second baseman Chase Utley would get the comeback started with a two run shot, his second in as many days, in the home half of the sixth, cutting the lead in half to a 4-2 deficit.
Jimmy Rollins was next, hitting a pinch hit solo home run in the home half of the eighth off Padres reliever Edward Mujica, the Padres lead was only 4-3 heading to the ninth inning.
After Padres' closer Heath Bell had already made three straight save appearances, manager Bud Black allected to go with reliever Edwin Moreno in the ninth inning.
Moreno allowed a lead off single to Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard to start off the home half of the ninth, bringing up outfielder Raul Ibanez. Moreno missed on a first pitch slider and again with a changeup, but Moreno tried to throw another changeup and Ibanez was looking for it, sending it deep into the right-field seats and sending the Phillies' fans into a frenzy. A walk-off two run home run and a 5-4 Phillies victory.
The Padres had a few good notes from this afternoon's game, they know that Josh Geer has forgotten all about his struggles during Spring Training, the same struggles that had him starting the year in Triple-A Portland.
Adrian Gonzalez also continued his hot streak, hitting his third home run in five games, his fifth home run of the year. He's currently hitting .289 with five home runs and twelve RBI's.
The two teams will finish their series on Monday night Philadelphia, PA. The Padres will have Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.09 ERA) on the mound while the Phillies will go with Jamie Moyer (1-1, 6.55 ERA)
Through most of the game, it looked like the Padres were going to win their ninth in ten games, getting a strong pitching performance from recently called up Josh Geer. Geer pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs (1 earned) on six hits, struck out for and didn't walk a single batter.
The Padres got on top first thanks to an RBI single from outfielder Jody Gerut and an RBI triple from second baseman Edgar Gonzalez to put the Padres on top 2-0. An RBI groundout from Brian Giles, scoring Gonzalez, gave the Padres a 3-0 lead after three innings.
The Padres would extend that lead even further in the top half of the fifth when Adrian Gonzalez unloaded on former teammate Chan Ho Park and sent his fifth home run of the year deep to right field for a 4-0 San Diego lead.
Phillies' second baseman Chase Utley would get the comeback started with a two run shot, his second in as many days, in the home half of the sixth, cutting the lead in half to a 4-2 deficit.
Jimmy Rollins was next, hitting a pinch hit solo home run in the home half of the eighth off Padres reliever Edward Mujica, the Padres lead was only 4-3 heading to the ninth inning.
After Padres' closer Heath Bell had already made three straight save appearances, manager Bud Black allected to go with reliever Edwin Moreno in the ninth inning.
Moreno allowed a lead off single to Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard to start off the home half of the ninth, bringing up outfielder Raul Ibanez. Moreno missed on a first pitch slider and again with a changeup, but Moreno tried to throw another changeup and Ibanez was looking for it, sending it deep into the right-field seats and sending the Phillies' fans into a frenzy. A walk-off two run home run and a 5-4 Phillies victory.
The Padres had a few good notes from this afternoon's game, they know that Josh Geer has forgotten all about his struggles during Spring Training, the same struggles that had him starting the year in Triple-A Portland.
Adrian Gonzalez also continued his hot streak, hitting his third home run in five games, his fifth home run of the year. He's currently hitting .289 with five home runs and twelve RBI's.
The two teams will finish their series on Monday night Philadelphia, PA. The Padres will have Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.09 ERA) on the mound while the Phillies will go with Jamie Moyer (1-1, 6.55 ERA)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Padres-Mets: Bullpen Implodes in 7-2 Loss to Mets
It took one bad inning for everything to go south last night and when I say it went south, it was one of those 'hold your head in your hands unable to watch' kind of innings.
San Diego Padres' starter Kevin Correia had another good outing, giving up two runs on five hits walking two and striking out five through his five innings of work. He left the game with the team only down 2-1 and in a good position for their offense to jump ahead. But everything went south from there and in a hurry.
Padres' reliever Luke Gregerson would relieve Kevin Correia to start the sixth inning and had his usual smooth 1-2-3 inning, striking out David Wright and getting Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran to ground out. In the seventh inning is where his trouble began. Gregerson couldn't find the plate, walking both Gary Sheffield and Brian Schneider without throwing a strike to either of them. Then two more pitches that missed the strike zone to Luis Castillo before Padres' manager Bud Black pulled him in favor of Edward Mujica.
Mujica didn't fare much better, allowing a bunt single to Luis Castillo to load then bases then throwing a wild pitch out of the reach of catcher Nick Hundley that allowed Gary Sheffield to score to make it a 3-1 game. After striking out Ryan Church and intentionally walking Jose Reyes to re-load the bases, a sacrifice fly off the bat of David Murphy would score Brian Schneider and send Luis Castillo to third.
With 2 on and 2 out, Nick Hundley came up throwing trying to throw out the speedy Jose Reyes at 2nd base but Hundley's throw sailed over 2nd base allowing both Castillo and Reyes to score to push the Mets' lead to 6-1. The Mets would add an insurance run in the home half of the eighth when Carlos Delgado welcomed Padres' reliever Luis Perdomo to the big leagues when he launched a home run to left to give the Mets a 7-1 lead.
So three walks, a wild pitch and an error would cost the Padres four runs, an inning the Padres were unable to overcome as they dropped a 7-2 decision, breaking their 5-game win streak.
For the Mets, starter Oliver Perez had a much better second start than he did his first start, giving up just one run on three hits through six innings picking up his first win of the 2009 season and giving his team their first ever home win at Citi Field.
On what seems to be the only good note for the San Diego Padres last night, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez hit his 2nd home run of the series last night and his third of the year. The reason that is note worthy is it was Adrian's 100th career home run.
The two teams will finish up the series tonight at Citi Field, game time is set for 7:10pm EST. The New York Mets will have right-hander John Maine (0-0, 3.60 ERA) on the hill while the Padres will go with ace Jake Peavy (1-1, 3.52 ERA).
San Diego Padres' starter Kevin Correia had another good outing, giving up two runs on five hits walking two and striking out five through his five innings of work. He left the game with the team only down 2-1 and in a good position for their offense to jump ahead. But everything went south from there and in a hurry.
Padres' reliever Luke Gregerson would relieve Kevin Correia to start the sixth inning and had his usual smooth 1-2-3 inning, striking out David Wright and getting Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran to ground out. In the seventh inning is where his trouble began. Gregerson couldn't find the plate, walking both Gary Sheffield and Brian Schneider without throwing a strike to either of them. Then two more pitches that missed the strike zone to Luis Castillo before Padres' manager Bud Black pulled him in favor of Edward Mujica.
Mujica didn't fare much better, allowing a bunt single to Luis Castillo to load then bases then throwing a wild pitch out of the reach of catcher Nick Hundley that allowed Gary Sheffield to score to make it a 3-1 game. After striking out Ryan Church and intentionally walking Jose Reyes to re-load the bases, a sacrifice fly off the bat of David Murphy would score Brian Schneider and send Luis Castillo to third.
With 2 on and 2 out, Nick Hundley came up throwing trying to throw out the speedy Jose Reyes at 2nd base but Hundley's throw sailed over 2nd base allowing both Castillo and Reyes to score to push the Mets' lead to 6-1. The Mets would add an insurance run in the home half of the eighth when Carlos Delgado welcomed Padres' reliever Luis Perdomo to the big leagues when he launched a home run to left to give the Mets a 7-1 lead.
So three walks, a wild pitch and an error would cost the Padres four runs, an inning the Padres were unable to overcome as they dropped a 7-2 decision, breaking their 5-game win streak.
For the Mets, starter Oliver Perez had a much better second start than he did his first start, giving up just one run on three hits through six innings picking up his first win of the 2009 season and giving his team their first ever home win at Citi Field.
On what seems to be the only good note for the San Diego Padres last night, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez hit his 2nd home run of the series last night and his third of the year. The reason that is note worthy is it was Adrian's 100th career home run.
The two teams will finish up the series tonight at Citi Field, game time is set for 7:10pm EST. The New York Mets will have right-hander John Maine (0-0, 3.60 ERA) on the hill while the Padres will go with ace Jake Peavy (1-1, 3.52 ERA).
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Successful First Week For The San Diego Padres
Looking at the schedule to open the first week of the Major League Baseball season, most "experts" would have only given the San Diego Padres 1 win, maybe two if they played well enough. I'm sure those same "experts" would have also said they wouldn't be surprised to see them lose all seven games they played during Opening Week.
Here we are a week after Opening Day and the San Diego Padres have not only proved those "experts" wrong, but they've done so with a come from behind win, timely hitting and excellent pitching performances from their starters as well as their bullpen. They've not only won more than one or two games, but they've go into the 2nd week of the season sporting a 5-2 record, good for first place in the National League West.
During Spring Training, there were a whole lot more questions than there were answers. The only sure thing about their starting rotation was the front end with Jake Peavy and Chris Young. There were young pitchers like Wade LeBlanc and Josh Geer, but with both of them not having much success, the Padres were forced to look at trades or at the waiver wire to get something done.
So, Padres' General Manager Kevin Towers would bring in right-handers Kevin Correia, Walter Silva and Shawn Hill.
Kevin Correia pitched for the San Francisco Giants from 2003 - 2008, going between being a starter to coming out of the bullpen. After career highs in appearances (59) and a career best ERA (3.45) in 2007, Correia struggled in 2008, finishing with a 3-8 record and a 6.05 ERA in 25 games (19 starts).
Walter Silva, on the other hand, wouldn't have been on this had it not been for the brothers Gonzalez. During the World Baseball Classic, Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez were teammates with Silva and were impressed with what they saw from him. They called Kevin Towers and told him that Silva would be worth a look. Towers and Manager Bud Black were also impressed and eventually gave him the shot that landed him in the Padres' starting rotation.
Shawn Hill could be the better of the three pitchers added to the rotation. Hill was picked up by the Padres after being released by the Washington Nationals and didn't let the Padres down with a good first start against the San Francisco Giants. The right-hander gave up just two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out three through his five innings of work, getting the victory in a 7-3 Padres win.
With the rotation seemingly filled out, it was the bullpen that needed to be addressed. The Padres brought in guys like former Mets' reliever Duaner Sanchez and guys most fans have never heard of like Luke Gregerson, Edwin Moreno and Edward Mujica. But regardless of how well we know these guys or how little we know about them, they have gotten the job done for the San Diego Padres. They held close leads, they've gotten those leads to closer Heath Bell or have been able to close out games where Bell wasn't needed.
It's been one guy doing his job and allowing the next guy to do his, a team effort that has led the Padres to four straight wins as they head into Citi Field for a 3-game set with the New York Mets. The Padres may not be stronger offensively than the Mets, but if they pitch like this team has against the Dodgers and Giants, it could be a very good series.
Here we are a week after Opening Day and the San Diego Padres have not only proved those "experts" wrong, but they've done so with a come from behind win, timely hitting and excellent pitching performances from their starters as well as their bullpen. They've not only won more than one or two games, but they've go into the 2nd week of the season sporting a 5-2 record, good for first place in the National League West.
During Spring Training, there were a whole lot more questions than there were answers. The only sure thing about their starting rotation was the front end with Jake Peavy and Chris Young. There were young pitchers like Wade LeBlanc and Josh Geer, but with both of them not having much success, the Padres were forced to look at trades or at the waiver wire to get something done.
So, Padres' General Manager Kevin Towers would bring in right-handers Kevin Correia, Walter Silva and Shawn Hill.
Kevin Correia pitched for the San Francisco Giants from 2003 - 2008, going between being a starter to coming out of the bullpen. After career highs in appearances (59) and a career best ERA (3.45) in 2007, Correia struggled in 2008, finishing with a 3-8 record and a 6.05 ERA in 25 games (19 starts).
Walter Silva, on the other hand, wouldn't have been on this had it not been for the brothers Gonzalez. During the World Baseball Classic, Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez were teammates with Silva and were impressed with what they saw from him. They called Kevin Towers and told him that Silva would be worth a look. Towers and Manager Bud Black were also impressed and eventually gave him the shot that landed him in the Padres' starting rotation.
Shawn Hill could be the better of the three pitchers added to the rotation. Hill was picked up by the Padres after being released by the Washington Nationals and didn't let the Padres down with a good first start against the San Francisco Giants. The right-hander gave up just two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out three through his five innings of work, getting the victory in a 7-3 Padres win.
With the rotation seemingly filled out, it was the bullpen that needed to be addressed. The Padres brought in guys like former Mets' reliever Duaner Sanchez and guys most fans have never heard of like Luke Gregerson, Edwin Moreno and Edward Mujica. But regardless of how well we know these guys or how little we know about them, they have gotten the job done for the San Diego Padres. They held close leads, they've gotten those leads to closer Heath Bell or have been able to close out games where Bell wasn't needed.
It's been one guy doing his job and allowing the next guy to do his, a team effort that has led the Padres to four straight wins as they head into Citi Field for a 3-game set with the New York Mets. The Padres may not be stronger offensively than the Mets, but if they pitch like this team has against the Dodgers and Giants, it could be a very good series.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Lack of offense dooms San Diego in 4-1 loss to LA
We have talked about this subject for the past few seasons, the team's lack of offense has cost the San Diego Padres so many games, games they could have easily won.
The 2009 season opener went like a lot of games did in 2008, a good pitching effort but a lack of offense.
San Diego Padres' ace Jake Peavy went seven innings giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits, striking out eight. But, just like a lot of his starts in 2008, it was the offenses lack of production that led to this quote from Peavy. "Today's game was nothing new. I'm not knocking the hitters we've had before or the ones we have now. We're just going to play low-scoring games."
This offense will score more runs, but when you get off to the kind of start this team got off to last night, with the same pattern that was so familiar to fans in 2008, it's hard to believe this is going to get any better.
David Eckstein was a big factor in last night's game, getting a sacrifice bunt early in the game as well as working a 10-pitch at bat against Dodgers' starter Hideki Kuroda. Catcher Henry Blanco also showed something Padre fans aren't used to, throwing out a base runner as catcher Henry Blanco threw out Andre Etheir at second base.
Three guys that the Padres really needed were non-factors last night. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and outfielder Chase Headley were a combined 1-for-10 with two walks and two strikeouts, both coming from Headley. They need those three guys to be more productive or this pattern is going to continue to happen.
Pitching wise, the Padres did show flashes of their 2007 form. Peavy had his bumps last night, but as the game wore on, he seemed to get stronger and his pitches were breaking that much more. The bullpen looked strong as well, Edward Mujica and Luke Gregerson combined for two scoreless innings giving up just two hits and striking out three.
The two teams will be back at it tonight at Petco Park. The Padres will face left-hander, and former teammate, Randy Wolf and will counter with 6'10" right-hander Chris Young. Game time is scheduled for 7:05pm PST.
The 2009 season opener went like a lot of games did in 2008, a good pitching effort but a lack of offense.
San Diego Padres' ace Jake Peavy went seven innings giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits, striking out eight. But, just like a lot of his starts in 2008, it was the offenses lack of production that led to this quote from Peavy. "Today's game was nothing new. I'm not knocking the hitters we've had before or the ones we have now. We're just going to play low-scoring games."
This offense will score more runs, but when you get off to the kind of start this team got off to last night, with the same pattern that was so familiar to fans in 2008, it's hard to believe this is going to get any better.
David Eckstein was a big factor in last night's game, getting a sacrifice bunt early in the game as well as working a 10-pitch at bat against Dodgers' starter Hideki Kuroda. Catcher Henry Blanco also showed something Padre fans aren't used to, throwing out a base runner as catcher Henry Blanco threw out Andre Etheir at second base.
Three guys that the Padres really needed were non-factors last night. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and outfielder Chase Headley were a combined 1-for-10 with two walks and two strikeouts, both coming from Headley. They need those three guys to be more productive or this pattern is going to continue to happen.
Pitching wise, the Padres did show flashes of their 2007 form. Peavy had his bumps last night, but as the game wore on, he seemed to get stronger and his pitches were breaking that much more. The bullpen looked strong as well, Edward Mujica and Luke Gregerson combined for two scoreless innings giving up just two hits and striking out three.
The two teams will be back at it tonight at Petco Park. The Padres will face left-hander, and former teammate, Randy Wolf and will counter with 6'10" right-hander Chris Young. Game time is scheduled for 7:05pm PST.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Padres acquire Mujica
The Padres have acquired another arm for their already short-handed bullpen.
According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres have signed right-hander Edward Mujica from the Cleveland Indians. The 24-year old, from Venezuela, has 20-18 record, 330 strikeouts and a 3.64 ERA in 385.2 minor league innings.
According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres have signed right-hander Edward Mujica from the Cleveland Indians. The 24-year old, from Venezuela, has 20-18 record, 330 strikeouts and a 3.64 ERA in 385.2 minor league innings.
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