My Padres went 1-8 on this homestand after their 9-2 loss to the Mighty Mariners yesterday.  It was the 8th loss in a row and the 12th loss in the last 13 games.

Jake Peavy said, "I knew when I gave up the home run (a 2-run shot by Adrian Beltre making the score 3-0) that the game was probably over..."  Ouch.

The Friars are now 19 games under .500, but still mathematically in the NL West race where the 1st place D-backs are exactly at .500.

Yesterday's Results:

Mariners 9, Padres 2

Marlins 4, D-backs 3

Angels 1, Dodgers 0

Giants 11, A's 1

Tigers 4, Rockies 3

Standings:

D-backs        41-41         ------

Dodgers        38-43          2.5

Giants          36-46            5

Rockies        32-50            9

Padres         32-51          9.5

Today:  @ Rockies  6:05 PDT        Maddux (3-6) @ De La Rosa (2-4)

Yesterday's Results:

Mariners 4, Padres 2

D-backs 6, Marlins 2

Dodgers 1, Angels 0

Giants 1, A's 0

Tigers 7, Rockies 6

Standings:

D-backs       41-40         ------

Dodgers       38-42          2.5

Giants          35-46           6

Rockies        32-49           9

Padres         32-50          9.5

Today:  Mariners  1:05 PDT         Peavy (5-4) - Bedard (4-4)

At least our uniforms were really cool looking last night...

Yesterday's Results:

Mariners 5, Padres 2

Marlins 3, D-backs 1

Dodgers 6, Angels 0

A's 4, Giants 1

Tigers 7, Rockies 1

Standings:

D-backs        40-40          ------

Dodgers        37-42           2.5

Giants           34-46            6

Rockies         32-48            8

Padres          32-49           8.5

Today:  Mariners  7:05 PDT       Baek (1-3) - Silva (3-9)

(Disclaimer:  This is not to criticize Bud Black's managerial skills in any way.  I think he is a good manager and a good guy.)

Bruce Bochy was allowed to walk a year and a half ago.  Did that decision by the front office of My Padres turn the powers of karma against us?

Bochy had just concluded his 2nd straight year as NL West Champions.  To let him walk after that kind of success was bad enough, but factor in he had managed 4 of the 5 division championships (1996, 1998, 2005, and 2006) the Padres have ever won and it was more than just a curious decision.  By the way, Bochy played on the 5th Padres team to win a division (1984).

There were many criticisms of Bochy's managing style, just like there is of every manager, and every coach, and every GM, and every owner, in every sport.  But he had won two division titles in a row.  And let there be no confusion on the decision...Sandy Alderson let Bochy go.  Just this last week Alderson quickly commented that the Seattle Mariners would not be allowed to discuss their GM vacancy with Kevin Towers, but he allowed the Giants to talk to Bochy.  I love the direction Alderson and the rest of the front office is going with My Padres, but that doesn't mean they aren't capable of mistakes.

Since Bochy left to go to the Giants, we failed to make the playoffs last season in one of the worst ways possible; I will not review the circumstances as I have not, and never will, recover from last year.  And this season has been a bad one so far for the Sand and Navy.  The Giants, picked to be one of the worst teams in all of baseball, are doing relatively good.  They are even ahead of My Padres at this point.  There is still half the season to go, so the end may be far different, but it does beg the original question...Do we now have bad karma?

Go Padres!!!

Oh, we lost our 9th game in the last 10 yesterday afternoon.

Yesterday's Reults:

Twins 4, Padres 3 

Cleveland 4, Giants 1

White Sox 2, Dodgers 0

Standings:

D-backs      40-39       ------

Dodgers      36-42        3.5

Giants         34-45         6

Rockies       32-47         8

Padres       32-48         8.5

Today:   Mariners  7:05 PDT        Wolf (5-6) - Washburn (2-7) 

Losing isn't fun.  The Friars have now lost 8 of the last 9 games.

Last night, the Twins dismantled an early 3-0 lead by My Padres with 9 unanswered runs.

At least it's just 29 days until the My Chargers (maybe in their last season in San Diego...deep, sad sigh) open their full squad practices.

Yesterday's Results:

Twins 9, Padres 3

Red Sox 5, D-backs 0

Dodgers 5, White Sox 0

Giants 4, Cleveland 1

Royals 4, Rockies 2

Standings:

D-backs         40-39          ------

Dodgers         36-41            3

Giants            34-44           5.5

Padres          32-47            8

Rockies         32-47            8

Today:  Twins  12:35 PDT          Banks (2-1) - Baker (3-2)

At least Arizona and Los Angeles continue to lose too.

Who's fault was last night's 3-1 loss to the Twins?  Trevor, Jody Gerut, Bud Black, others?

The game turned ugly in the bottom of the 8th with the score tied 1-1.  Michael Barrett led off the inning with a walk and Craig Stansberry singled to LF as a pinch-hitter.  Runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs.  Jody Gerut was next up and a sacrifice was in order, but Gerut has proven to have significant trouble laying a bunt down.  Gerut failed miserably.  He looked lost in two attempts to bunt, then struck out swinging. 

Now, any major league player should be able to put a decent bunt down and use proper technique.  Then again should Bud Black have known that Gerut can't bunt?  Should he have PH for Gerut with a good bunter and put Scott Hairston in CF?  Or just let Gerut swing away?  I wouldn't have had a poor bunter try to sacrifice in that crucial situation.  And Gerut needs to learn the simple fundamental of bunting; it is inexcusable.

To continue, Edgar Gonzalez and Brian Giles failed to pick up Gerut/Black with a hit and the game went to the 9th inning still tied.

Trevor Hoffman got the first 2 outs, then gave up back-to-back long HR's to bring down a chorus of boos from the Petco fans.  The story in the Union Tribune this morning detailed the shock of the team in Padres fans booing Trevor, but I think the frustrated fans were booing the whole team. 

I don't like booing my favorite teams.  I only do it if a player hasn't hustled.  And I think that cities who boo loudly for every little mistake hurt their team's chances in the end (Philadelphia hasn't won very much at all in any of the 4 major sports).  But San Diego fans don't boo very often; usually only when very frustrated.  If they indeed booed Trevor, I don't agree with them, but I think it isn't the worst thing either.  I am sure most of the fans love Trevor for everything he has done for the team and always will.  They just got frustrated last night.

And I was quite wrong too.  I have been extolling the possibilities of our best lineup of the year if Giles and Kouzmanoff came back.  They came back and scored one measley run off of Kevin Slowey. 

Turn the page...

Yesterday's Results:

Twins 3, Padres 1

Red Sox 5, D-backs 4

White Sox 6, Dodgers 1

Giants 3, Cleveland 2

Royals 7, Rockies 3

Standings:

D-backs        40-38        ------

Dodgers        35-41          4

Giants          33-44         6.5

Padres         32-46          8

Rockies        32-46          8

Today:  Twins  7:05 PDT          Maddux (3-5) - Perkins (3-2) 

Hopefully Brian Giles and Kevin Kouzmanoff are ready to go today and provide My Padres with their best lineup of the year.

Yesterday's Results:

D-backs 2, Red Sox 1

Royals 8, Rockies 4

Standings:

D-backs       40-37        ------

Dodgers       35-40          4

Giants          32-44         7.5

Padres        32-45          8

Rockies       32-45          8

Today:  Twins  7:05 PDT        Peavy (5-4) - Slowey (4-6)

We've fallen a little bit behind my goals, but if we can just get healthy we are still in the race thanks to the bad 6 weeks of the D-backs and Dodgers.  If we can pick up 2.5 games over the next two weeks we'll be back on track. 

KEEPING THE FAITH 2008 goals and tracker (Games Behind):

April 28:  -10          Actual = -8.5  (+1.5)

May 12:  -9            Actual = -9  (Even)

May 26:  -8            Actual = -12  (-4)

June 9:  -7             Actual = -7 (Even)

June 23:  -6           Actual = -7.5 (-1.5)

July 7:  -5

July 21:  -4

August 4:  -3

August 18:  -2

September 1:  -1

September 15:  Even

September 29:  +1

The American League has been brutal for My Padres this past week and a half.  We have only won 2 of the 9 games.  Thank the baseball gods that the rest of the NL West has struggled against the AL too.  Athough the Sand and Navy went 2-7, they only lost one game in the standings to Arizona.

Yesterday's loss was frustrating as Randy Wolf provided a good start, 6 IP allowing only 2 ER with 10 K's, but the bullpen and the offense with runners in scoring position failed when needed most. 

Adrian Gonzalez did his part, yet again.  He hit his 21st HR, an upper decker to LF, and received 2 Intentional Walks.  Jody Gerut had 3 hits for the second game in a row. 

Chase Headley struck out 3 times, but he hit what looked like a go-ahead 3-run HR to CF in the 7th inning, but it fell just inches short of going over the wall while the Tigers Curtis Granderson made a very good catch to dampen our hopes...

We need Giles and Kouzmanoff to get back healthy on Tuesday.  Headley has provided some pop in the lineup, but we need everyone in the batting order to be a real threat offensively.  This is the order we need, but haven't had a chance to field it even once (maybe Tuesday):

Gerut

E-Gon

Giles

A-Gon

Kouzmanoff

Headley

Greene

Barrett

Pitcher

Go Padres!!!

Yesterday's Results:

Tigers 5, Padres 3

Twins 5, D-backs 3

Dodgers 4, Cleveland 3

Mets 3, Rockies 1

Royals 11, Giants 10  (SF led 10-3)

Standings:

D-backs        39-37        ------

Dodgers        35-40         3.5

Giants          32-44           7

Rockies        32-44           7

Padres         32-45          7.5

No Game Today

Cha Seung Baek pitched OK in his 3rd start as a Padres, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers came away with a 7-5 victory.

Michael Barrett led the offense with a 2-run HR and Jody Gerut collected 3 hits.

Turn the page...

Yesterday's Results:

Tigers 7, Padres 5

Twins 6, D-backs 1

Clevland 7, Dodgers 2

Rockies 7, Mets 1

Royals 5, Giants 3

Standings:

D-backs         39-36       ------

Dodgers         34-40        4.5

Giants            32-43         7

Rockies          32-43         7

Padres           32-44        7.5

Today:  Tigers  1:05 PDT           Wolf (5-5) - Verlander (3-9)

Greg Maddux pitched masterfully yet again, and again it came without a win being added to his record.  His last "win" came on May 10, but his performance last night led to My Padres winning the first game of the series with the Detroit Tigers by the score of 6-2.

Maddux went 7 innings while only giving up 1 run on 5 hits.  The only run he allowed was a HR to Curtis Granderson to leadoff the game.  It was vintage Maddux as he worked in and out, up and down, in the strike zone and just outside of it.  It was a great joy watching the future Hall of Famer perform his craft.

The Padres did win the game by scoring 4 runs in the 8th, mostly due to the Tigers 'pen walking the bases loaded to begin the inning.  Adrian Gonzalez and Scott Hairston delivered 2-run singles for the actual scoring.

Chase (Roy Hobbs) Headley continued his good hitting by driving his first HR at Petco over the CF wall. 

Edgar Gonzalez is quickly making Tadahito Iguchi the Padres version of Wally Pipp by going 3-3 to raise his average to .326.

Hopefully this is the beginning of another very good homestand to get us back on track to the .500 mark.

Kevin Kouzmanoff and Brian Giles had MRI's yesterday and neither was put on the DL.  Kouzmanoff is most likely to return on Tuesday and Giles played last night.  However, Gilley tweaked his leg in the 8th inning and was replaced by Paul McAnulty in RF in the 9th.  (PMac made a great running catch in foul territory to end the game as he went head over heels into the stands to get the ball.)  We'll have to hope for the best with Giles and Kouz...

Go Padres!!!

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 6, Tigers 2

Twins 7, D-backs 2

Cleveland 6, Dodgers 4

Giants 9, Royals 4

Mets 7, Rockies 2

Standings:

D-backs       39-35      ------

Dodgers       34-39       4.5

Giants          32-42        7

Padres        32-43       7.5

Rockies       31-43        8

Today:  Tigers  7:05 PDT         Baek (1-2) - Robertson (5-6)

My Padres capped a 1-5 road trip with a 2-1 loss against the Yankees.  It was a great game with many great plays including spectacular diving catches by Jody Gerut and Brian Giles.  Josh Banks pitched wonderfully once again, but was outdone by Joba Chamberlain and the Yankee bullpen.

We've dropped to 8.5 games behind the D-backs and into last place in the division, again.  But we were 13 GB one month ago today~the morning of May 20~so perspective is always needed. 

The Sand and Navy now begin a 9 game homestand against AL teams having to play without the DH: Advantage Pads.  The guys do have to overcome a long flight home from NY while the Tigers were kicking back in San Diego though.

Go Padres!!!

Yesterday's Reults:

Yankees 2, Padres 1

D-backs 2, A's 1

Dodgers 7, Reds 4

Rockies 6, Cleveland 3

Tigers 7, Giants 2

Standings:

D-backs       39-34        ------

Dodgers       34-38         4.5

Giants          31-42          8

Rockies       31-42           8

Padres        31-43         8.5

Today:  Tigers  7:05 PDT       Maddux (3-5) - Bonine (1-0)

Brian Giles, Adrian Gonzalez, and Chase Headley (the first of his MLB career) all homered, but my Padres fell short of the red hot Yankees by the score of 8-5.  It was the 6th straight win for New York who have started to live up to their moniker, "The Bronx Bombers."

Kevin Kouzmanoff's back problems have not gotten better and will miss today's game and Bud Black suggested that the DL was a possibility.  Argh...

Yesterday's Results:

Yankees 8, Padres 5

D-backs 11, A's 1

Dodgers 6, Reds 1

Tigers 7, Giants 2

Rockies 4, Cleveland 2

Standings:

D-backs        38-34         ------

Dodgers        33-38          4.5

Padres         31-42          7.5

Giants           31-42          7.5

Rockies         30-42           8

Today:  @ Yankees  10:05 AM PDT        Banks (2-0) @ Chamberlain (1-2)

Tiger Woods is incredible.  (I am a master of the obvious.)

My wife and I have followed his career very closely ever since he began winning US Amateurs at a very young age and he has given us an amazing amount of entertainment and drama.  Which leads me to the announcement of the extent of his injury and his season ending surgery:

We may have taken the last 16 years for granted and I pray to the sporting gods that this isn't the end of his brilliant career.  Chances are Tiger will pick up right where he left off, but the thought of it being over is a very, very scary one.

Retief, Retief, Retief...  Retief Goosen questioned whether Woods was actually injured, or just adding drama (faking it).  Later, when given a chance to clarify he didn't exactly back off:

"I was being light-hearted," Goosen said, according to the Times. "No one but Tiger himself knows how badly hurt he was. But if he was really badly hurt, he would have withdrawn, wouldn't he?"

The last line, "But if he was really badly hurt, he would have withdrawn, wouldn't he?" is exactly why Retief and the other pampered country clubers are so far behind Tiger.  They have the talent, but not the heart, of a champion.

Get well soon Tiger. 

In the middle of last season MLB Extra Innings on DIRECTV began televising the Padres Channel 4 broadcasts.  Before this, I had to watch the opposing team's broadcast, or none at all if the opposition didn't televise that day.  Extra Innings also began to televise both the visitors broadcast as well as the home teams broadcast.  Therefore, I have been able to watch the Padres games with Padres announcers for the first time.  And it has been a lot more enjoyable.

      Matt Vasgersian and Mark Grant are great fun to listen to.  They know the game and add a great deal of humor to the broadcast.  Sometimes they toe the line, but never cross it. 

     The great Tony Gwynn works several games as well. 

     Some have criticized their lack of objectivity and their cheering for the Padres, but I wouldn't want it any other way.  They are working the game for the Friars and I love having them root for my Padres.  It is the way it should be.  Now, if they were doing a national telecast it would be different.  But they are working for the local team carried on the local cable channel.

Vasgersian does do a lot of national telecasts.  He works for Fox Sports for MLB, NFL, and college football.  Grant is a former Padres pitcher and once won 22 games in a...in a...well, in his 8 year MLB career. 

They both have an incredibly quick wit and are very entertaining.  Keep up the great work!!! 

Hey, Roy Hobbs, errrr...Chase Headley, was finally called up; and in the city of the Knights, New York.  He didn't "knock the cover off the ball", but he did get 2 hits on the night. 

I am totally kidding as I trust the front office on their decision to wait to bring him up.  But I did have to have some fun because so many San Diego fans have been screaming for him to be brought up.  Kevin Towers has said, among other reasons, that he didn't want fans to see Headley as the "savior" of the team and wanted to wait until the team was doing better than they were in April and May.

The Yankees did brutalize my Friars 8-0, but the really bad news was the "back spasms" that Kevin Kouzmanoff experienced during infield practice prior to the start of the game and had to be scratched from the lineup.  One of the news reports I read this morning said that he was still walking tenderly in the clubhouse following the game.  Bud Black didn't know what the extent of the injury was, but I am hoping for just the spasms.

Yesterday's Results:

Yankees 8, Padres 0

A's 15, D-backs 1

Dodgers 3, Reds 1

Tigers 5, Giants 1

Rockies 10, Cleveland 2

Standings:

D-backs        37-34        ------

Dodgers        32-38         4.5

Padres         31-41         6.5

Giants           31-41         6.5

Rockies         29-42         8

Today:  @ Yankees  4:05 PDT        Peavy (5-3) @ Rasner (3-4) 

The Padres and Cubs were set to play the final Hall of Fame exhibition game in Cooperstown, New York yesterday, but it was cancelled due to rain.  At least the team got a free trip to the legendary village where baseball's past is so celebrated.  I hope they all visited Tony's plaque.  I wonder what went through Greg Maddux's mind as he is certain to be inducted one day in the future.

Yesterday's Results:

Giants 8, Tigers 6

Braves 7, Rockies 1

Standings:

D-backs       37-33        ------

Dodgers       31-38         5.5

Padres        31-40         6.5

Giants          31-40         6.5

Rockies        28-42          9

Today:  @ Yankees 4:05 PDT     Wolf (5-4) @ Pettitte (6-5) 

Greg Maddux sure has deserved a lot better than his current 3-5 record.  He easily could have 4 or 5 more wins.  But yesterday it was his own throwing error which led to Cleveland's 7-3 victory.  The error was a total shock as Maddux is the best fielding pitcher of all-time, but nobody, even the future Hall of Famer, is perfect.

Turn the page and on to the Big Apple...

Yesterday's Results:

Cleveland 7, Padres 3

Royals 8, D-backs 3   (KC took 2 of 3 in Az)

Tigers 5, Dodgers 4   (5th loss in a row for LA)

A's 5, Giants 3

Rockies 5, White Sox 3

Standings:

D-backs       37-33        ------

Dodgers       31-38         5.5

Padres        31-40         6.5

Giants          30-40          7

Rockies        28-41        8.5

The recent passings of Tim Russert and Charlie Jones have deeply saddened me.

Russert was one of the few journalists whom I trusted, and a passionate sports fan too.  The reflections of everyone who knew him have enlightened me as to what a wonderful man he was and how truly he will be missed.  He was always very optimistic; which I admire greatly.  And his impartial digging for the truth in Washington will be sorely missed as well.

Jones was one of the first voices of my introduction to sports in the late '60's and early '70's.  His coverage of the AFL days are some of my best memories of my fandom.

Our prayers are with both families and loved ones in this time of grief.

Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a Grand Slam in the top of the 10th to seal the "Throwback Friars" 8-3 victory.  It was Kouz's 2nd HR in as many nights in his return to Cleveland. 

Jody Gerut hit a game tying HR in the 8th to give my Padres a chance to win and Tony Clark worked a bases loaded walk in the 10th to give San Diego the one run lead prior to Kouzmanoff's slam.

Gerut had 3 hits and continues to play great in CF and is beginning to prove he can play everyday and hit against lefties.

Cha Seung Baek was impressive again as he limited Cleveland to just 2 hits in his 7 innings of work.  He did allow 3 runs in the 1st inning, but shut them down the rest of the way.

Heath Bell was spectacular, again, in relief.  He struck out 5 in his 2 innings.  He continues to shine in his set-up role and his velocity has certainly returned in the past 5-6 weeks.

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 8, Cleveland 3

Royals 12, D-backs 3

Tigers 12, Dodgers 7

A's 4, Giants 0

Rockies 2, White Sox 0

 Standings:

D-backs       37-32        -----

Dodgers       31-37        5.5

Padres        31-39        6.5

Giants         30-39          7

Rockies       27-41        9.5

Rain only delayed a Cleveland 9-5 drubbing of my Padres. 

Adrian Gonzalez hit his 19th HR and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit one too in his return to Cleveland.

The rumored promotion of our top hitting prospect, Chase Headley, has been delayed to Sunday or Tuesday in New York.

Yesterday's Results:

Cleveland 9, Padres 5

D-backs 1, Royals 0

Tigers 5, Dodgers 0

A's 5, Giants 1

White Sox 5, Rockies 4

Standings:

D-backs        37-31        -----

Dodgers        31-36         5.5

Giants           30-38         7

Padres          30-39        7.5

Rockies         26-41       10.5

Welcome back Jake!!!

Jake Peavy returned in great fashion with 6 scoreless innings as my Padres took the game and the series.  Peavy struck out 4 without a walk.  It was awesome to see him back on the hill after the elbow strain.

A-Gon hit his 18th HR and Brian Giles added a HR too as the offense scored 9 runs.  Edgar Gonzalez had 3 hits as he continues to perform wonderfully.

The Friars have now won 7 of their last 8 games.  Go Padres!!!

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 9, Dodgers 0

D-backs 5, Mets 4  (Mets blew a 4-0 lead...argh)

Giants 10, Rockies 7

Standings:

D-backs       36-31        -----

Dodgers       31-35         4.5

Giants          30-37         6

Padres        30-38         6.5

Rockies        26-40         9.5

Edgar Gonzalez and Khalil Greene each had two hits including a HR to go with the great pitching of Randy Wolf, Heath Bell, and Trevor Hoffman.  The coolest part of the game was how A-Gon smiled as E-Gon reached the on-deck circle after his HR.

Wolf went 7 innings with 9 K's and allowing only 1 run on 4 measley hits.  He was in command to whole game.  Bell was perfect in the 8th and Trevor closed things out in the 9th to secure the important win over the Dodgers and even the series.

Jake Peavy returns tomorrow afternoon in the series finale.

Things are looking up.  Go Padres!!!

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 4, Dodgers 1

Mets 5, D-backs 3

Rockies 1, Giants 0

Standings:

D-backs       35-31        -----

Dodgers       31-34        3.5

Giants          29-37        6

Padres        29-38        6.5

Rockies       26-39        8.5

Greg Maddux pitched really well, but once again he failed to pick up the win.  This time my Padres even lost.  Maddux went 6 strong innings allowing just 1 run and left with a 2-1 lead.  The bullpen, which has been lights out this past week, blew up and gave up 6 runs the rest of the way as the Los Angeles Dodgers took game 1 of an important 3 game series at Petco.

On a positive note, Edgar Gonzalez got 2 hits and has played incredibly well since he replaced Tadahito Iguchi.  He has hit well and been great in the field. 

Yesterday's Results:

Dodgers 7, Padres 2

D-backs 9, Mets 5

Rockies 10, Giants 5

Standings:

D-backs        35-30        -----

Dodgers        31-33         3.5

Giants           29-36          6

Padres         28-38          7.5

Rockies         25-39         9.5 

Yesterday's Results:

Pirates 5, D-backs 3

Giants 3, Nationals 2

Standings:

D-backs       34-30        -----

Dodgers       30-33        3.5

Giants          29-35         5

Padres        28-37        6.5

Rockies       24-39        9.5

"My" Padres are back in the race.  They picked up 5 games in the standings in the last 2 weeks.  It truly is a very long season and hope has been restored.

KEEPING THE FAITH 2008 goals and tracker (Games Behind):

April 28:  -10          Actual = -8.5  (+1.5)

May 12:  -9            Actual = -9  (Even)

May 26:  -8            Actual = -12  (-4)

June 9:  -7             Actual = -7 (Even)

June 23:  -6

July 7:  -5

July 21:  -4

August 4:  -3

August 18:  -2

September 1:  -1

September 15:  Even

September 29:  +1

Wow!!!

Tony Clark delivered a dramatic 3-run HR to dead center in the bottom of the 8th to lead my Padres to a come from behind 8-6 win over the Mets.  It is the 5th straight victory for the Friars and completed a 4 game sweep of the Metropolitans.

It didn't look good until Clark's blast.  Will Ledezma was drilled for 5 runs in just 4 innings, but the bullpen was outstanding once again by giving up only 1 run in 5 innings.  Trevor Hoffman notched his 14th save and his change was great again.

Brian Giles and Jody Gerut had 3 hits each. 

I have the game DVR'd and will watch the ending often.

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 8, Mets 6

Pirates 6, D-backs 4

Cubs 3, Dodgers 1

Giants 6, Nationals 3

Brewers 3, Rockies 2

Standings:

D-backs       34-29        -----

Dodgers       30-33          4

Giants          28-35         6

Padres        28-37          7

Rockies       24-39         10

Hairy!!!  Scott Hairston's walk-off HR in the bottom of the 10th gave the Padres their 4th straight 2-1 victory.  It was another great game to watch as every pitch was important.

Cha Seung Baek was a lot better in his 2nd start for the Pads going 6 innings while allowing only one run.  The bullpen continued their recent dominance with 4 innings of shutout baseball while giving up only 1 hit.  Brian Corey, Heath Bell (again), and Mike Adams did the job this time.  Adams picked up the win.

Go Padres!!!

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 2, Mets 1

D-backs 4, Pirates 3

Dodgers 7, Cubs 3

Giants 6, Nationals 0

Rockies 7, Brewers 2

Standings:

D-backs      34-28        -----

Dodgers      30-32          4

Giants         27-35         7

Padres       27-37          8

Rockies       24-38        10

My Padres beat the Mets 2-1, again.  It is the 3rd game in a row where the Pads have won by the score of 2-1, tying a MLB record.

Randy Wolf had the honors on the hill and delivered with a 7 inning, 1 run performance.  Heath Bell and Trevor were perfect in the final 2 innings to secure the win. 

Scott Hairston led the offense with 3 hits.

Iguchi injured:  Tadahito seperated his shoulder in Thursday's game and is going to be out quite a while; probably 4-6 weeks.  It's too bad as he was playing very well.  A-Gon's brother Edgar will get the oppurtunity of a lifetime in Iguchi's absence.  I am happy for E-Gon's chance; I just wish it came in a different way.

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 2, Mets 1

D-backs 3, Pirates 1

Dodgers 3, Cubs 0

Giants 10, Nationals 1

Rockies 6, Brewers 4

Standings:

D-backs      33-28         -----

Dodgers      29-32           4

Giants        26-35           7

Padres       26-37           8

Rockies      23-38          10

PMac, Paul McAnulty, drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th with a walk-off...Hit By Pitch.  PMac was plunked with the bases loaded and my Padres beat the Mets 2-1.  San Diego scored the winning run without the help of a base hit.  The Pads got 3 walks and the HBP to gain the victory.

Josh Banks was very good in the starting role as he went 6 innings while only allowing 1 runs on 5 hits.  The bullpen was spectacular going 3 innings without giving up even a hit.  Trevor Hoffman gained the win with an 1,2,3 top of the 9th as his change looked great again.

It was a fun game to watch.

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 2, Mets 1

Cubs 5, LA 4

Standings:

D-backs        32-28        -----

Dodgers        28-32         4

Giants          25-39         7

Padres         25-37        8

Rockies        22-38        10

Greg Maddux was brilliant last night with 7 innings of 1 run ball and the Padres scratched a run in the 8th to beat the Cubs 2-1 and end our 3 game losing streak.  Mad Dog limited the Cubbies to just 3 hits over the 7 innings; the only disappointing part of the game was that Maddux did not get the win as the offense was shut down by Ted Lilly.

Brian Giles, who has been red hot lately along with Adrian Gonzalez, began the Padres 8th with a double.  A-Gon moved Giles to 3rd with a long fly ball and Kevin Kouzmanoff drove him in with a Sac-Fly.

Heath Bell threw a scoreless inning in relief and Trevor was magnificent in the 9th as he struck out the side to record his 12 save of the year.  Note: he got some serious "Gotcha" swings with his change. 

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 2, Cubs 1

Brewers 10, D-backs 1

Rockies 2, Dodgers 1

Mets 5, Giants 3

Standings:

D-backs        32-28        -----

Dodgers        28-31        3.5

Giants          25-35         7

Padres         24-37        8.5

Rockies        22-38         10

My Padres lost their 3rd in a row as the Cubs out-slugged the Friars 9-6. 

A-Gon continued his onslaught with 3 more hits.

Turn the page...

Yesterday's Results:

Cubs 9, Padres 6

Brewers 7, D-backs 1

Rockies 3, Dodgers 0

Mets 9, Giants 6

Standings:

D-backs        32-27        -----

Dodgers        28-30         3.5

Giants          25-34          7

Padres         23-37         9.5

Rockies        21-38         11

Adrian Gonzalez hit his 17th HR of the year, but my Padres fell short and lost 7-6 to the Chicago Cubs.

Cha Seung Baek made his first start for the Padres and gave up 4 runs on 9 hits over 4.1 innings.  The bullpen didn't fare much better as the momentum of last week has been lost.

Yesterday's Results:

Cubs 7, Padres 6

Brewers 4, D-backs 3

Dodgers 8, Rockies 2

Giants 10, Mets 2

Standings:

D-backs       32-26         -----

Dodgers       28-29          3.5

Giants          25-33          7

Padres        23-26          9.5

Rockies        20-38         12

Another deflating loss...

Adrian Gonzalez did it again with a 2-run HR in the top of the 10th to give my Padres a 3-1 lead.  But Trevor couldn't keep the lead as the Giants fought back to take a 4-3 victory.

Is Trevor done?  No, I don't think so.  Of course he will be someday, but his fastball is better than it has been in a few years.  Everyone talks about his lack of command with his fastball at times, but I'm much more concerned with his change-up.  I have seen very few "Gotcha" swings against his change.  We are accustomed to hitters being baffled even if they are sitting on the change.  Therefore, my only concern is that I hope he gets the feel of his change going and I am confident he will.

Yesterday's Results:

Giants 4, Padres 3

D-backs 5, Nationals 0

Mets 6, Dodgers 1

Cubs 5, Rockies 3

Standings:

D-backs         32-25          -----

Dodgers         27-29           4.5

Giants           24-33            8

Padres         23-35           9.5

Rockies         20-37           12

I was hoping Josh Banks could go at least 5 innings and keep us in the game yesterday at San Francisco~~a 9 inning complete game later and now Josh Banks is a huge part of our continued dreams of still competing in the NL West (Keeping the Faith).  He allowed only one run in the 9 innings and showed great command of a myriad of pitches.  His relief performance in Sunday's marathon apparantly was not a mirage. 

Banks will be counted on to continue to pitch well as my Padres lost yet another starter to injury.  To add to the DL where Jake Peavy and Chris Young reside, Shawn Estes broke the tip of his left hand falling down the stairs going from the dugout to the clubhouse.  He will be gone quite a while. 

Peavy might return within two weeks, which would be a huge lift.  But CY's return is still undetermined.  He still has issues with a crack in his skull.  There are major complications possible if the crack does not heal properly.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to him for his health.  We'll worry about his pitching when he gets better.  Some things are just more important than my Padres winning games.

On a better note, Adrian Gonzalez and Brian Giles continued their offensive onslaught.  Giles had a hit to go with 3 walks and A-Gon had 2 hits while driving in 3 more runs.  He now has 48 RBI's which gives him 2nd place in the NL in that category.  His 15 HR's has him tied for 4th in the NL in HR's.  He is putting together an amazing season.  Gilley's OBP is up over .400 now.

The 5-1 win gives the Padres 5 wins in their last 6 games.

Go Padres!!!

Yesterday's Results:

Padres 5, Giants 1

D-backs 4, Nationals 0

Mets 3, Dodgers 2

Cubs 5, Rockies 4

Standings:

D-backs       31-25       -----

Dodgers       27-28       3.5

Giants         23-33         8

Padres        23-34        8.5

Rockies       20-36        11

Today:  @ Giants 1:05 PDT          Wolf (3-4) @ Lincecum (7-1)