Lots Of Happenings “Inside the Park”

August 19, 2009

What do you do for an encore? That was the question going around Kyle Blanks yesterday, and look what he did. I’d say that that’s an amazing encore.

First things first though. Our newly-signed first round draft pick Donavan Tate took batting practice with the team, and talked with Padres announcers during the game. He’s reporting to Peoria today.

I think he’s really cute, yeah girls? It will be so cool to watch him go up through the minors. He’s only 19, drafted out of high school, so it will probably be a long time until he gets up here. Hopefully his path through the minors will go smoothly with no injuries. This is soo exciting!!

OK, the game now. I was not happy that Cesar Carrillo was going to be pitching last night, but he did a decent job.

Derrek Lee hit a solo homer in the bottom of the first. Kouz drove in Everth Cabrera in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.

In the bottom of the third, Everth Cabrera singled and stole second base (his 18th stolen base). Eck grounded out, then Adrian was intentionally walked. Chase Headley grounded into a force out, which drove in Everth. Chase stole second base, and scored on Kouz’s single.

The Cubs got a run each in the fourth and fifth innings. Adrian Gonzalez hit his 33rd homer of the season to give us a 4-3 lead. Adrian won the NL Player of the Week, by the way. He definitely deserves it.

Cesar Carrillo went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out two. He got the win to even his record at 1-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, the score was still 4-3. The Padres’ bullpen (Gregerson and Adams) had miraculously held the one-run lead. Will Venable walked to start the inning. Then Kyle Blanks, what will you do for an encore? He had already struck out three times so far in the game. 

After taking two balls, he hit one out to center field. It looked like it could go out, but it bounced off the wall right above the center fielder’s jump. The ball rolled down the warning track, with the right fielder no where in sight. The center fielder went to track it down, and by then, Venable had scored. A throw came in, but Blanks was already lying over the plate with an inside-the-park home run. Kyle is a very big guy, but man, he can run! It was a very exciting part of the game, and it gave us two insurance runs!

In the top of the ninth, Heath Bell had a ridiculously easy inning. He only threw seven pitches!! I don’t think we need to worry about after-effects of the blown save on Sunday. Heath’s got the perfect closer mentality!!

And so, we won yet another series. We improved to 5-0 against the Cubs at PETCO Park this season. We got our 51st win.

Kouz had three hits. E-Cab had two hits, including his seventh triple. Padres fans are getting excited. If not about this year, they are definitely looking forward to next year. I know that I’m excited about next year. It’s going to be great!

I wanted to give a quick shout out to my best friend, who is turning the big 16 today. We’ve been friends basically since we were born, and I love her soooo much!! She’s been an amazing friend to me for all these years. Happy birthday, Dudette!!! 4How, LLAP!!! I’ll make you a virtual cake 🙂

Tonight our young stud Mat Latos is starting. Do I hear “sweep”? OH YEAH!!

Let’s do this boys. I know you can, that’s for sure. NEVER SAY DIE!!!

GO PADRES!!!    

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Written by Kaity Bergquist Posted in Dailies Tagged with adrian gonzalez, cubs, kevin kouzmanoff, kyle blanks, padres