They say lightning never strikes the same place twice. Well, for the San Diego Padres, they experienced the literal and figurative side of that statement last night as the Padres fell to the Cubs, 6-4.
The Padres jumped on top of the Cubs in very first inning and experienced a little deja vu. On Tuesday night, Adrian Gonzalez launched a two run home run against Cubs' starter Rich Harden, giving the Padres an early 2-0 lead. A lead that didn't hold up as the Cubs came back for a 6-2 win. One night later, and again in the first inning, Adrian hit his second home run of the series and again it was a two run shot to give San Diego a 2-0 lead.
That lead would vanish quicker than Alex Rodriguez in the playoffs. Padres' starter Chris Young served up back-to-back home runs to Alfonso Soriano and Ryan Theriot on just three pitches, tying the game, 2-2. The lead would officially vanish when Giovany Soto singled to left, scoring former Padre Milton Bradley who had been walked earlier in the inning.
Soto would add a two run shot against Young in the third and then Theriot added his second of the game in the fourth inning to put the Cubs ahead, 6-2.
Young would throw 102 pitches in just four innings, giving up six runs on six hits, walking three and striking out three but gave up a career high four home runs.
In the sixth, it looked like the Padres were starting to gain a little life in their bats, starting with Adrian Gonzalez who hit his second home run of the game, his third of the series, to pull the Padres to within a 6-3 score.
In the eighth, Nick Hundley would draw a two out walk and would move to second on a wild pitch followed by a Brian Giles walk which brought up pinch hitter Jody Gerut. Gerut lined a single to left, scoring Nick Hundley but Giles tried to be greedy and take third but was tagged out to end the inning and a possible Padres rally.
That's the way the game would end as heavy rains would fall on Wrigley Field and with more threatening weather on the way, crew chief Tim Welke decided to call the game, a decision Padres' manager Bud Black didn't quite agree with.
"I respect Tim Welke immensely," Black told MLB.com. "I [simply] would like to see a baseball game played nine innings. As would he. But he felt, based on educated information, that it was the best thing to do."
Chris Young's performance wasn't what the Padres were hoping they would get out of their right hander. He was leaving pitches up in the zone and that's something you just can't do against a good Cubs' lineup, something Young himself admitted.
"Mechanically, I wasn't very good," Young told MLB.com. "Against a lineup like that it's hard to come out and not have your best stuff. It's a good lineup, and they punished some bad pitches."
The Padres have now dropped 18 of their last 22 games and though the team really doesn't need any more bad news, the Padres got just that in the seventh inning. Short stop Luis Rodriguez, after roping a single to left, rolled his left ankle as he rounded first and is likely headed to the disabled list. He'll join fellow short stop Everth Cabrera who went down with a broken hand last month and isn't expected back until late June.
Chris Burke and Edgar Gonzalez are expected to split time at that position unless Kevin Towers finds one via trade or free agency.
The Padres and Cubs will wrap up their three game set on Thursday with an afternoon affair from Wrigley Field, expected to get underway at 1:25pm CST.
The Padres will go with right hander Chad Gaudin (0-2, 4.08) against Cubs' right hander and former closer Ryan Dempster (2-2, 4.98). Gaudin will try to be the first Padres' starter to win a game since Peavy beat the Mets on April 16th, a streak of 11 straight losses by a starter.
Showing posts with label Luis Rodriguez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luis Rodriguez. Show all posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Padres-Cubs: Early Lead Slips Away as Padres Fall to Cubs
Jake Peavy can't go into the clubhouse and spew his usual "I've pitched in these kinds of games my entire career," that we're used to hearing after he pitches a great game but gets no run support from his offense.
San Diego jumped out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to a two run home run from first baseman Adrian Gonzalez his 11th of the year, in the first inning. That lead wouldn't hold as the Cubs scored six runs in the last four innings to beat the Padres, 6-2.
Peavy had the Cubs shut out for four innings and it looked like the Padres were finally going to break their losing streak and take the first of their three game set against the Cubs.
In the fifth, Peavy would issue a lead walk to catcher Geovany Soto, would would be sacrificed to second on a bunt from pitcher Rich Harden after Peavy struck out Aaron Miles. It looked like Peavy might just get out of a jam, but Alfonso Soriano would lace an RBI double to left center, scoring Soto from second to pull the Cubs to within 2-1.
In the top half of the sixth, the Padres had two on after back-to-back singles from David Eckstein and Adrian Gonzalez with just one out, but Chase Headley would ground into an inning ending double play to end the Padres' threat.
In the home half of the sixth, the Cubs would make the Padres pay for not pushing across a single run. Kosuke Fukudome, a player the Padres made a run at prior to the 2008 season, led off with a double to left and after a strikeout to Derek Lee, former Padre Milton Bradley would launch a two run shot to center off his former teammate, erasing the Padres' lead and giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead.
The Padres had a chance to at least tie the game in the top half of the seventh. Jody Gerut led off with a single and would steal second after Kevin Kouzmanoff popped out, but Henry Blanco would ground out and Luis Rodriguez flied out to end the inning.
It's been the lack of hitting with runners in scoring position that has given this Padres' team the most headache. Having runners on second or third with less than two outs and not getting that sac fly or not getting that timely base hit that would score that run.
After a 9-3 start, the Padres have gone 4-17 in their last 21 games, pushing them farther and farther out of the NL West and possibly making them sellers faster than anyone expected.
Prior to the start of the 2009 season, there were so many people talking about this Padres team losing 100 games or more but after a 9-3 start, the team was raising a lot of eyebrows. But, nothing has gone right for this team since then. Their pitching has struggled, their offense has been non existant at certain times and their bullpen has had trouble keeping teams off the scoreboard.
It's a trend that is quickly demolishing this team, a trend that will have this team losing more games than ever before in franchise history.
The two teams will be back at it tonight from Wrigley Field. The Padres will have 6'10" right hander Chris Young (2-1, 4.76) against Cubs' left hander Ted Lilly (4-2, 3.11).
San Diego jumped out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to a two run home run from first baseman Adrian Gonzalez his 11th of the year, in the first inning. That lead wouldn't hold as the Cubs scored six runs in the last four innings to beat the Padres, 6-2.
Peavy had the Cubs shut out for four innings and it looked like the Padres were finally going to break their losing streak and take the first of their three game set against the Cubs.
In the fifth, Peavy would issue a lead walk to catcher Geovany Soto, would would be sacrificed to second on a bunt from pitcher Rich Harden after Peavy struck out Aaron Miles. It looked like Peavy might just get out of a jam, but Alfonso Soriano would lace an RBI double to left center, scoring Soto from second to pull the Cubs to within 2-1.
In the top half of the sixth, the Padres had two on after back-to-back singles from David Eckstein and Adrian Gonzalez with just one out, but Chase Headley would ground into an inning ending double play to end the Padres' threat.
In the home half of the sixth, the Cubs would make the Padres pay for not pushing across a single run. Kosuke Fukudome, a player the Padres made a run at prior to the 2008 season, led off with a double to left and after a strikeout to Derek Lee, former Padre Milton Bradley would launch a two run shot to center off his former teammate, erasing the Padres' lead and giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead.
The Padres had a chance to at least tie the game in the top half of the seventh. Jody Gerut led off with a single and would steal second after Kevin Kouzmanoff popped out, but Henry Blanco would ground out and Luis Rodriguez flied out to end the inning.
It's been the lack of hitting with runners in scoring position that has given this Padres' team the most headache. Having runners on second or third with less than two outs and not getting that sac fly or not getting that timely base hit that would score that run.
After a 9-3 start, the Padres have gone 4-17 in their last 21 games, pushing them farther and farther out of the NL West and possibly making them sellers faster than anyone expected.
Prior to the start of the 2009 season, there were so many people talking about this Padres team losing 100 games or more but after a 9-3 start, the team was raising a lot of eyebrows. But, nothing has gone right for this team since then. Their pitching has struggled, their offense has been non existant at certain times and their bullpen has had trouble keeping teams off the scoreboard.
It's a trend that is quickly demolishing this team, a trend that will have this team losing more games than ever before in franchise history.
The two teams will be back at it tonight from Wrigley Field. The Padres will have 6'10" right hander Chris Young (2-1, 4.76) against Cubs' left hander Ted Lilly (4-2, 3.11).
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Padres-Diamondbacks: Missed Opportunities Abound in Loss to DBacks
The San Diego Padres had their chances, they had opportunities, but each of those chances and opportunities were missed in a disappointing 3-1 loss to Arizona on Wednesday night.
What's even more frustrating was the start that Jake Peavy put together last night, only making one mistake which Diamondback outfielder Juston Upton deposited into the left center field stands for a two run home run in the sixth inning.
Besides that, Jake was nothing short of dominant. The right hander struck out 12 in his seven innings of work, surpassing the 1,300 strikeout mark in the second inning after striking out Connor Jackson.
But, just like his last start against the Dodgers where Jake pitched eight shutout innings, his offense went AWOL, not putting up a single run in support. After winning two of his first three starts, Peavy is 0-3 in his last four starts with a no decision. Peavy could easily turn and point to his offense for not giving him anything to work with, not giving him a lead to work with, but that's not the way he opperates, Jake instead put the blame on himself.
"Bottom line, I have to be better," Peavy told the Associated Press. "If it means throwing a shutout, I’ll take full responsibility and need to do that. It’s just not possible to happen every time out.”
He may have took the blame for the loss, but Jake did say something that has become familiar to the press interviewing him after games like this. Although it wasn't a direct shot at the offense, you can read into this any way you like.
“I’ve pitched in these type of ballgames for years,” Peavy said. “You get a feel for a game, especially when one run or one pitch can beat you. Sure, there is some stress with every pitch you make, knowing that you probably shouldn’t let a run cross."
If Jake isn't willing to point a finger, we'll just point out all the missed opportunities to put runs on the board early, and often. Arizona tried to give the game away, committing four errors, two of which came on one inning.
In the second, Kevin Kouzmanoff would reach on an error by third baseman Mark Reynolds, moving to second on the throw. After Henry Blanco popped out, Luis Rodriguez would work a one out walk, which brought Jake Peavy to the plate. He attempted two straight bunts, both of which went foul and was unable to move the runners up. To add insult to injury, Peavy grounded into an inning ending double play.
In the fifth, after a lead single from Henry Blanco, Peavy would finally get a bunt down but would be safe at first thanks to a throwing error from Arizona catcher Miguel Montero trying to get the lead runner (Blanco) at second base.
Giles would then ground to first baseman Josh Whitesell, but Whitesell's throw pulled second baseman Augie Ojeda off the bag, loading the bases with just one out.
David Eckstein would then hit a fly ball to right field and it looked like the Padres were going to get on the board, but right fielder Justin Upton nailed Henry Blanco at the plate for a inning ending double play.
That would prove costly in the top half of the sixth. After Peavy struck out Felipe Lopez swinging, he would issue a walk to Ojeda, which brought up Justin Upton. Peavy left the first pitch too far in the zone and Upton got all of it, landing it a few rows deep in left center field, putting Arizona ahead, 2-0.
In the seventh, Blanco would work a one out walk an would be followed by a Luis Rodriguez single. Manager Bud Black decided that Peavy's night was done, going with Edgar Gonzalez as a pinch hitter with two on and one out. As the theme was most of the night, Gonzalez would ground into an inning ending double play, the third time of the night the Padres grounded into an inning ending double play.
Padres' reliever Duaner Sanchez would come into the game in the eighth inning and got Augie Ojeda to fly out for the first out of the inning, bringing up Justin Upton who had homered earlier in the night. Sanchez left a 1-1 pitch over the plate and letter high and Upton, again, got every bit of it, hammering a solo shot to dead center field, giving Arizona a 3-0 lead.
San Diego had one more chance in the ninth inning. Diamondback's closer Chad Qualls came into the game and promptly gave up back-to-back singles to Adrian Gonzalez and Jody Gerut and would then hit Kevin Kouzmanoff with a pitch, loading the bases with noone out. Surely, the Padres couldn't blow this opportunity, could they?
But, as was the theme all night long, Blanco would ground into the Padres' fourth double play of the game, scoring Adrian Gonzalez to put the Padres on the board, 3-1.
Luis Rodriguez would work a two out walk, bringing up Chase Headley for the first time with runners on the corners and two out, but Headley would strike out swinging to end the game.
The Padres will try to rebound tonight as they will wrap up a two game series with Arizona before they head out on the road with sets against the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs.
Padres right hander Chris Young (2-1, 4.81) will try to get this team out of their current funk, a funk that has seen San Diego drop 13 of their last 16 games. For Arizona, they will go with their hot hand, right hander Dan Haren (3-3, 1.47). First pitch is scheduled for 12:35pm PST.
What's even more frustrating was the start that Jake Peavy put together last night, only making one mistake which Diamondback outfielder Juston Upton deposited into the left center field stands for a two run home run in the sixth inning.
Besides that, Jake was nothing short of dominant. The right hander struck out 12 in his seven innings of work, surpassing the 1,300 strikeout mark in the second inning after striking out Connor Jackson.
But, just like his last start against the Dodgers where Jake pitched eight shutout innings, his offense went AWOL, not putting up a single run in support. After winning two of his first three starts, Peavy is 0-3 in his last four starts with a no decision. Peavy could easily turn and point to his offense for not giving him anything to work with, not giving him a lead to work with, but that's not the way he opperates, Jake instead put the blame on himself.
"Bottom line, I have to be better," Peavy told the Associated Press. "If it means throwing a shutout, I’ll take full responsibility and need to do that. It’s just not possible to happen every time out.”
He may have took the blame for the loss, but Jake did say something that has become familiar to the press interviewing him after games like this. Although it wasn't a direct shot at the offense, you can read into this any way you like.
“I’ve pitched in these type of ballgames for years,” Peavy said. “You get a feel for a game, especially when one run or one pitch can beat you. Sure, there is some stress with every pitch you make, knowing that you probably shouldn’t let a run cross."
If Jake isn't willing to point a finger, we'll just point out all the missed opportunities to put runs on the board early, and often. Arizona tried to give the game away, committing four errors, two of which came on one inning.
In the second, Kevin Kouzmanoff would reach on an error by third baseman Mark Reynolds, moving to second on the throw. After Henry Blanco popped out, Luis Rodriguez would work a one out walk, which brought Jake Peavy to the plate. He attempted two straight bunts, both of which went foul and was unable to move the runners up. To add insult to injury, Peavy grounded into an inning ending double play.
In the fifth, after a lead single from Henry Blanco, Peavy would finally get a bunt down but would be safe at first thanks to a throwing error from Arizona catcher Miguel Montero trying to get the lead runner (Blanco) at second base.
Giles would then ground to first baseman Josh Whitesell, but Whitesell's throw pulled second baseman Augie Ojeda off the bag, loading the bases with just one out.
David Eckstein would then hit a fly ball to right field and it looked like the Padres were going to get on the board, but right fielder Justin Upton nailed Henry Blanco at the plate for a inning ending double play.
That would prove costly in the top half of the sixth. After Peavy struck out Felipe Lopez swinging, he would issue a walk to Ojeda, which brought up Justin Upton. Peavy left the first pitch too far in the zone and Upton got all of it, landing it a few rows deep in left center field, putting Arizona ahead, 2-0.
In the seventh, Blanco would work a one out walk an would be followed by a Luis Rodriguez single. Manager Bud Black decided that Peavy's night was done, going with Edgar Gonzalez as a pinch hitter with two on and one out. As the theme was most of the night, Gonzalez would ground into an inning ending double play, the third time of the night the Padres grounded into an inning ending double play.
Padres' reliever Duaner Sanchez would come into the game in the eighth inning and got Augie Ojeda to fly out for the first out of the inning, bringing up Justin Upton who had homered earlier in the night. Sanchez left a 1-1 pitch over the plate and letter high and Upton, again, got every bit of it, hammering a solo shot to dead center field, giving Arizona a 3-0 lead.
San Diego had one more chance in the ninth inning. Diamondback's closer Chad Qualls came into the game and promptly gave up back-to-back singles to Adrian Gonzalez and Jody Gerut and would then hit Kevin Kouzmanoff with a pitch, loading the bases with noone out. Surely, the Padres couldn't blow this opportunity, could they?
But, as was the theme all night long, Blanco would ground into the Padres' fourth double play of the game, scoring Adrian Gonzalez to put the Padres on the board, 3-1.
Luis Rodriguez would work a two out walk, bringing up Chase Headley for the first time with runners on the corners and two out, but Headley would strike out swinging to end the game.
The Padres will try to rebound tonight as they will wrap up a two game series with Arizona before they head out on the road with sets against the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs.
Padres right hander Chris Young (2-1, 4.81) will try to get this team out of their current funk, a funk that has seen San Diego drop 13 of their last 16 games. For Arizona, they will go with their hot hand, right hander Dan Haren (3-3, 1.47). First pitch is scheduled for 12:35pm PST.
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.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
San Diego Padres: Injury Updates
The Padres don't need another injury, but that's exactly what they'll have to deal with after Shawn Hill was pulled Saturday night after just two innings with soreness in his right biceps muscle. Manager Bud Black says Hill will likely be headed to the disabled list, joining fellow starters Walter Silva and Cha Seung Baek.
That wasn't the only bad news the Padres received last night. Short stop Luis Rodriguez was rushed to Scripps Green Hospital in nearby La Jolla, CA due to an allergic reaction to something he ate prior to the Padres' game against the Pirates. Bud Black says he's resting comfortably but will be kept for observation to make sure there aren't any lingering affects.
Updates on other Padre injuries. Outfielder Cliff Floyd underwent an MRI on Friday and his minor league rehab stint was put on hold for an undisclosed amount of time. Floyd, as of last Thursday, had his right knee drained for the second time in three weeks and he could possibly be out until mid-May if not longer. The Padres were hoping that he'd be able to provide that big bat off the bench or make a spot start or two to make the Padres' lineup that much stronger. We'll see if that ever happens.
Short stop Everth Cabrera underwent surgery on his hand on April 21st and is expected to return to the team sometime in mid-June.
Pitcher Walter Silva, on the DL for a right forearm strain, was expected back in late April but now it seems he may be out longer than that, possibly until mid-May.
One promising note for the San Diego, reliever Mike Adams could return to the Padres in May. The right handed reliever missed all of 2008 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It's reported that Adams has been throwing every other day, so that is definitely a good sign for a very good reliever out of San Diego's bullpen.
That wasn't the only bad news the Padres received last night. Short stop Luis Rodriguez was rushed to Scripps Green Hospital in nearby La Jolla, CA due to an allergic reaction to something he ate prior to the Padres' game against the Pirates. Bud Black says he's resting comfortably but will be kept for observation to make sure there aren't any lingering affects.
Updates on other Padre injuries. Outfielder Cliff Floyd underwent an MRI on Friday and his minor league rehab stint was put on hold for an undisclosed amount of time. Floyd, as of last Thursday, had his right knee drained for the second time in three weeks and he could possibly be out until mid-May if not longer. The Padres were hoping that he'd be able to provide that big bat off the bench or make a spot start or two to make the Padres' lineup that much stronger. We'll see if that ever happens.
Short stop Everth Cabrera underwent surgery on his hand on April 21st and is expected to return to the team sometime in mid-June.
Pitcher Walter Silva, on the DL for a right forearm strain, was expected back in late April but now it seems he may be out longer than that, possibly until mid-May.
One promising note for the San Diego, reliever Mike Adams could return to the Padres in May. The right handed reliever missed all of 2008 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It's reported that Adams has been throwing every other day, so that is definitely a good sign for a very good reliever out of San Diego's bullpen.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Injury Report: Padres Lose Short Stop Cabrera for Up To Two Months
Something the San Diego Padres didn't want to deal with, but aren't exactly not used to, an injury to a short stop.
For the previous three years, the Padres had dealt with former short stop Khalil Greene missing a significant chunk of time due to injury and the majority of the time it was to his throwing hand. An injury that, because of the lack of depth at that position, would make a huge offensive and defensive impact on the team. It prompted the Padres to part with Greene, trading him to St. Louis this past off-season.
This time,it's young short stop Everth Cabrera who suffered a hand injury in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Phillies and will miss at least two months of the season according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune.
Cabrera is scheduled to have a CT done on the hand later today, but the early prognosis was not good. He apparently suffered a fracture hamate bone during his 6th inning at bat against Phillies' pitcher J.A. Happ.
The hamate is a triangular bone at the base of the fifth metacarpal (little finger) near the wrist. Hamate fractures aren't unusual among a lot of players and there's no risk of not making a complete recovery from the injury.
In the interim, look for Luis Rodriguez and possibly Edgar Gonzalez to split starts during Cabrera's absence.
Look for Rodriguez to get most of the time at short stop, he doesn't have a batting average (.231) that will turn your head, but with an on base percentage (.395) that the Padre brass like, he's the odds on favorite to get the majority of the starts.
For a kid who hadn't seen time above low A-ball in the Colorado Rockies' system, the San Diego Padres took a risk on Cabrera and selected him in this past Rule IV draft. Cabrera wasted no time in impressing Padre coaches, not only with his athleticism but also in his tremendous speed, something this team hasn't had in quite some time.
He would make the usual mistakes, rushing his throws and trying to make too much happen at one time, but he worked as hard as any player during spring training and was awarded by making four starts in the Padres' first thirteen games, hitting .308 (4-for-13) with a double.
For the previous three years, the Padres had dealt with former short stop Khalil Greene missing a significant chunk of time due to injury and the majority of the time it was to his throwing hand. An injury that, because of the lack of depth at that position, would make a huge offensive and defensive impact on the team. It prompted the Padres to part with Greene, trading him to St. Louis this past off-season.
This time,it's young short stop Everth Cabrera who suffered a hand injury in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Phillies and will miss at least two months of the season according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune.
Cabrera is scheduled to have a CT done on the hand later today, but the early prognosis was not good. He apparently suffered a fracture hamate bone during his 6th inning at bat against Phillies' pitcher J.A. Happ.
The hamate is a triangular bone at the base of the fifth metacarpal (little finger) near the wrist. Hamate fractures aren't unusual among a lot of players and there's no risk of not making a complete recovery from the injury.
In the interim, look for Luis Rodriguez and possibly Edgar Gonzalez to split starts during Cabrera's absence.
Look for Rodriguez to get most of the time at short stop, he doesn't have a batting average (.231) that will turn your head, but with an on base percentage (.395) that the Padre brass like, he's the odds on favorite to get the majority of the starts.
For a kid who hadn't seen time above low A-ball in the Colorado Rockies' system, the San Diego Padres took a risk on Cabrera and selected him in this past Rule IV draft. Cabrera wasted no time in impressing Padre coaches, not only with his athleticism but also in his tremendous speed, something this team hasn't had in quite some time.
He would make the usual mistakes, rushing his throws and trying to make too much happen at one time, but he worked as hard as any player during spring training and was awarded by making four starts in the Padres' first thirteen games, hitting .308 (4-for-13) with a double.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Padres Break Out the Brooms, Sweep Giants Out of Town
The San Diego Padres are riding a big wave of momentum, even if it is just the first week of the Major League Baseball season, but it's a ride they're currently enjoying.
The Padres rode a great pitching performance by Chris Young to a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants this afternoon, completing a series sweep.
The 6'10" Young pitched seven strong innings giving up just an unearned run on four hits, he didn't walk a batter and struck out seven. On the other side of things, Giants' starter Tim Lincecum has had two consecutive bad outings. Lincecum gave up four runs on a career high ten hits, he walked three and struck out five through five and one-third innings.
Like the last few wins for the San Diego Padres, it was the offense that has picked up their pitchers. In the third, after an Adrian Gonzalez RBI single, left-fielder Chase Headley would hit his 2nd home-run in as many days, a 2-run shot that landed in the short porch in right field, giving the Padres a 3-0 lead.
Leading the Padres' offensive charge was Nick Hundley. The 25-year old catcher finished with his best performance as a major leaguer, going 4-for-4 with an RBI single in the 7th inning. Luis Rodriguez with add 2 RBI's of his own, both coming on sacrifice flies in the 6th and 7th innings.
The San Diego Padres will ride their 4-game win streak into New York as they will help the New York Mets open their brand new ballpark, Citi Field, on Monday night. Game one of their three game set is scheduled to start at 7:10pm, but with all the ceremonies and festivities, I wouldn't expect the first pitch to be thrown until sometime around 7:30 - 7:45pm EST.
The rotation will look a little different during this three game set as well. Tonight, the Padres will have Walter Silva on the hill (0-0, 3.60 ERA) while the Mets will counter with Mike Pelfrey (1-0, 7.20 ERA). Game two match up will be Kevin Correia against former Padre Oliver Perez and in game three, Jake Peavy will be back on the hill for San Diego against Mets' right-hander John Maine.
Silva is coming off an impressive start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up two runs on five hits, he walked four and struck out one through five innings of work.
Pelfrey, on the other hand, didn't have quite the success that Silva did although Pelfrey did pick up a win. The Mets' right-hander would give up four runs on five hits, walked four and struck out two through his five innings of work in a 9-7 win over the Cincinnati Reds on April 8th.
The Padres rode a great pitching performance by Chris Young to a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants this afternoon, completing a series sweep.
The 6'10" Young pitched seven strong innings giving up just an unearned run on four hits, he didn't walk a batter and struck out seven. On the other side of things, Giants' starter Tim Lincecum has had two consecutive bad outings. Lincecum gave up four runs on a career high ten hits, he walked three and struck out five through five and one-third innings.
Like the last few wins for the San Diego Padres, it was the offense that has picked up their pitchers. In the third, after an Adrian Gonzalez RBI single, left-fielder Chase Headley would hit his 2nd home-run in as many days, a 2-run shot that landed in the short porch in right field, giving the Padres a 3-0 lead.
Leading the Padres' offensive charge was Nick Hundley. The 25-year old catcher finished with his best performance as a major leaguer, going 4-for-4 with an RBI single in the 7th inning. Luis Rodriguez with add 2 RBI's of his own, both coming on sacrifice flies in the 6th and 7th innings.
The San Diego Padres will ride their 4-game win streak into New York as they will help the New York Mets open their brand new ballpark, Citi Field, on Monday night. Game one of their three game set is scheduled to start at 7:10pm, but with all the ceremonies and festivities, I wouldn't expect the first pitch to be thrown until sometime around 7:30 - 7:45pm EST.
The rotation will look a little different during this three game set as well. Tonight, the Padres will have Walter Silva on the hill (0-0, 3.60 ERA) while the Mets will counter with Mike Pelfrey (1-0, 7.20 ERA). Game two match up will be Kevin Correia against former Padre Oliver Perez and in game three, Jake Peavy will be back on the hill for San Diego against Mets' right-hander John Maine.
Silva is coming off an impressive start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up two runs on five hits, he walked four and struck out one through five innings of work.
Pelfrey, on the other hand, didn't have quite the success that Silva did although Pelfrey did pick up a win. The Mets' right-hander would give up four runs on five hits, walked four and struck out two through his five innings of work in a 9-7 win over the Cincinnati Reds on April 8th.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Padres-Dodgers: Adrian, Edgar Gonzalez lead Padres to victory
The Padres have come up with late inning heroics before, but it didn't look like it was going to come this afternoon. With the Padres trailing 3-1 heading into the home half of the eighth, it seemed the Padres were going to mail it in, having only scored 1 run on three hits, two of those coming off the bat of 2nd baseman David Eckstein.
That's when the drama started, the comeback began and the Gonzalez brothers stepped to the plate. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez got things started, hammering a 2-2 fastball deep into the left field seats to pull the Padres to within one run. Two batters later, older brother Edgar Gonzalez tripled to right-center before being replaced by pinch runner Everth Cabrera who would score on a Nick Hundley single to left, tying the ballgame.
By the time the inning ended, the Padres had taken a 4-3 lead thanks to an RBI double from third baseman Luis Rodriguez. But the drama wasn't over then.
Out sprinted Padres' closer Heath Bell to try and close out the game and the win for the San Diego Padres. It didn't start the way he hoped, giving up a leadoff triple to Orlando Hudson. Bell would re-group, getting Manny Ramirez to ground out and leaving Hudson at third. He would intentionally walk Andre Ethier, electing to face Dodgers' catcher Russell Martin.
Bell got the better of the match up, getting Martin to ground into a game ending double play, sending the Padre fans home happy and salvaging a series split.
Padres' starter Kevin Correia and Dodgers' starter Clayton Kershaw were impressive, both however would get no decisions.
Correia would pitch six strong, giving up three runs on five hits, walking four and striking out five. Kershaw would go five innings, giving up one run on three hits, he also walked four and struck out five Padre batters.
Up next for the Los Angeles Dodgers, they will travel to Phoenix, AZ for a three game series, to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks who had today off after losing two of three at home to the Colorado Rockies.
For the San Diego Padres, they will remain at home as they welcome in the San Francisco Giants for a three game set. New Padre starter Shawn Hill is expected to make his San Diego debut Friday night against Giants' left-hander Barry Zito.
That's when the drama started, the comeback began and the Gonzalez brothers stepped to the plate. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez got things started, hammering a 2-2 fastball deep into the left field seats to pull the Padres to within one run. Two batters later, older brother Edgar Gonzalez tripled to right-center before being replaced by pinch runner Everth Cabrera who would score on a Nick Hundley single to left, tying the ballgame.
By the time the inning ended, the Padres had taken a 4-3 lead thanks to an RBI double from third baseman Luis Rodriguez. But the drama wasn't over then.
Out sprinted Padres' closer Heath Bell to try and close out the game and the win for the San Diego Padres. It didn't start the way he hoped, giving up a leadoff triple to Orlando Hudson. Bell would re-group, getting Manny Ramirez to ground out and leaving Hudson at third. He would intentionally walk Andre Ethier, electing to face Dodgers' catcher Russell Martin.
Bell got the better of the match up, getting Martin to ground into a game ending double play, sending the Padre fans home happy and salvaging a series split.
Padres' starter Kevin Correia and Dodgers' starter Clayton Kershaw were impressive, both however would get no decisions.
Correia would pitch six strong, giving up three runs on five hits, walking four and striking out five. Kershaw would go five innings, giving up one run on three hits, he also walked four and struck out five Padre batters.
Up next for the Los Angeles Dodgers, they will travel to Phoenix, AZ for a three game series, to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks who had today off after losing two of three at home to the Colorado Rockies.
For the San Diego Padres, they will remain at home as they welcome in the San Francisco Giants for a three game set. New Padre starter Shawn Hill is expected to make his San Diego debut Friday night against Giants' left-hander Barry Zito.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Padres-Dodgers: Pitching, timely hitting sends Padres past Dodgers
After sprinting in from the bullpen Padres' closer Heath Bell knew he had to calm down and be in control as he stepped onto the mound in the ninth inning. His team had just handed him a 4-2 lead and it was up to him to shut the door, and shut the door he did as he struck out the side to end the game.
There was a different feeling in the air as Bell came out of the bullpen, no longer was there the sound of AC/DC's "Hells Bells" blaring from Petco Park's sound system, no longer was there the slow methodical jog and no longer was there the familiar announcement of #51 Trevor Hoffman.
A new era has started in San Diego and it couldn't have started on a better note than Bell closing out a 4-2 win over the rival Dodgers. Not only that but doing it as only Bell can do, throwing heat and striking out the side.
The Padres also got great work from their bullpen, new Padres Edwin Moreno and Duaner Sanchez pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth innings before turning the ball over the Bell.
On the offensive side, the Padres got the run support for starter Chris Young that they didn't get for ace Jake Peavy a night earlier. It looked like it might be the same story from the night before as the Padres trailed 2-1 going into the sixth inning.
Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff led off the inning with back-to-back singles, then Chase Headley laced a liner just inside the third base line, scoring both Gonzalez and Kouzmanoff to give the Padres a 3-2 lead. Headley would eventually score an insurance run on a Luis Gonzalez sacrifice fly, giving Bell all the breathing room he needed.
The Padres and Dodgers will continue their four game series with game three tonight at Petco Park. Right-hander Walter Silva will make his San Diego Padres debut tonight against Dodgers' right-hander Chad Billingsley.
There was a different feeling in the air as Bell came out of the bullpen, no longer was there the sound of AC/DC's "Hells Bells" blaring from Petco Park's sound system, no longer was there the slow methodical jog and no longer was there the familiar announcement of #51 Trevor Hoffman.
A new era has started in San Diego and it couldn't have started on a better note than Bell closing out a 4-2 win over the rival Dodgers. Not only that but doing it as only Bell can do, throwing heat and striking out the side.
The Padres also got great work from their bullpen, new Padres Edwin Moreno and Duaner Sanchez pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth innings before turning the ball over the Bell.
On the offensive side, the Padres got the run support for starter Chris Young that they didn't get for ace Jake Peavy a night earlier. It looked like it might be the same story from the night before as the Padres trailed 2-1 going into the sixth inning.
Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff led off the inning with back-to-back singles, then Chase Headley laced a liner just inside the third base line, scoring both Gonzalez and Kouzmanoff to give the Padres a 3-2 lead. Headley would eventually score an insurance run on a Luis Gonzalez sacrifice fly, giving Bell all the breathing room he needed.
The Padres and Dodgers will continue their four game series with game three tonight at Petco Park. Right-hander Walter Silva will make his San Diego Padres debut tonight against Dodgers' right-hander Chad Billingsley.
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