Sweep, then Dodgers!!
After losing the series to Atlanta, we went into Pittsburgh, which was a really good move by the schedule makers. We needed to get back on track, and we did this weekend with a sweep of the Pirates.
Kevin Correia started the game on Friday, which was sweet. We got four runs in the top of the second, a great team effort. K-Cor allowed three runs, but it wasn’t a problem. Our pitching was super solid, so we won the game 5-3. Ernesto Frieri, Luke Gregerson, and Heath Bell threw three scoreless hittless innings. Amazing!
The second game was REALLY great because Mat Latos was back. He was put on the DL right before the All-Star game because of a side strain of some sort, but it was more of a roster move than a serious injury. It was really good to have him back! I love this guy 🙂 He went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts. The two runs were actually solo home runs, which did break a pretty long streak of Mat’s without home runs, but that’s okay. It’s not the end of the world. Great outing by Mat.
Now the question is, how much longer can he pitch? The Padres really want to conserve his innings so that he doesn’t burn out to quickly. We want this guy to be our ace for a long time. But at the same time, we might be making a playoff run pretty soon. Do we let him keep pitching until then, or do we hold him back and wait until we really need him? I think if I were the Padres, I would let him keep pitching every fifth day, but give him an inning or pitch count limit. If he only went say, five innings every start, he could still stay sharp pitching-wise while saving some for later at the same time. I don’t think we can just shut him down and then start him up again when we go into the stretch. Anyways, it will be very interesting to see how the Padres deal with this.
‘Cause if you think about it, I want this guy when we’re in the playoffs. It’s definitely not like he’s the only starter who can actually pitch, but I like our chances when he’s out on the mound. Guys like Kevin Correia, Jon Garland, and Wade LeBlanc are doing their jobs very well, but having Mat is a huge bonus. If we’re going to win the NL West, I want Mat Latos on that roster. Make it happen, Padres.
The offense in that second game was great. We got nine runs, but they were all scored on singles, doubles, ground outs, or sac-flies. No big blast here. Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley each had two hits. Will Venable was walked twice and scored twice. Everth Cabrera and Oscar Salazar each drove in two runs.
We had a 42-minute rain delay. It was kind of funny because it was in the top of the eighth and we had the bases loaded with no outs. Talk about a threat. We ended up scoring five runs that inning.
We won the game 9-2, which was great. Especially after the Braves series, it was good to get the next series won right away.
The third game was great too. Wade LeBlanc started, going six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. He didn’t walk any, though, and got two strikeouts.
The Pirates got two runs in the bottom of the second on a Ronny Cedeno home run. But in the top of the third, we struck back.
After Everth Cabrera lined out, Wade LeBlanc and Jerry Hairston Jr. singled. Chris Denorfia, who I’ll talk about later, doubled to drive them both in. Tie game. Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer, his 21st of the year. An out later, Yorvit Torrealba walked, stole second while Will Venable was batting, and scored on Will’s single. 5-2 Padres.
The Pirates got another run, but then we got another run. Chris Denorfia home run. That was all we needed. The offense, paired with amazing relief performances by Ryan Webb, Luke Gregerson, and Heath Bell, was enough for the sweep. Heath Bell got his 29th save of the year.
One thing I’ve really noticed this year is that our starting pitchers are not that bad with the bats. Kevin Correia drove in a run the other night, and Wade LeBlanc had two hits yesterday.
Kevin Correia: Four hits, three RBIs, four runs scored.
Jon Garland: Seven hits, one RBI, three runs scored.
Mat Latos: Six hits (including two doubles and a home run), three RBIs, three runs scored.
Wade LeBlanc: Nine hits, zero RBI, one run scored.
Clayton Richard: Six hits, five RBIs, three runs scored.
I don’t know about you, but these numbers really surprised me. I realized that they had done quite a bit of hitting, but I didn’t realize that it was this much. Amazing. Wow.
Now, Chris Denorfia. This guy has been seriously overlooked. I haven’t heard that much about him at all, but he’s been absolutely amazing for us this year. He’s hitting .287 with 39 hits and 23 RBIs. He’s contributed so much. I don’t think we would be here without him. Whoever decided to invite this guy to Spring Training is a genius.
Now we are coming home to face the Dodgers for three huge games. We’re actually playing them seven times in two weeks, which is going to be crazy. Never mind that the Dodgers are six games behind us. It’s the Dodgers. Petco Park is going to be crazy for the next three days.
Even though the Dodgers are like a million games behind us, I think this series is very essential. It’s not like they’re right on our heels and it’s a do-or-die series, but we’ve still gotta beat these guys. They’re our biggest rivals, and we need to beat the teams in our division. I don’t know if we’ll be able to sweep them, but two out of three sounds good. We need it.
BEAT LA!!
GO FIRST-PLACE PADRES!!
Unfinished Business 
Very nice summary of the Pirates series! I’m concerned as well about Latos and how we’ll be using him for the next two months, because I too want to see him in the playoffs (NLDS Game 1 starter?).
And good job gathering the stats on our pitchers recent hitting prowess! I didn’t know they had compiled all those hits and RBIs.
Meanwhile, it’s time for us to face the Dodgers, and I’m pumped to be there tonight! Though like you said, this isn’t a do-or-die series and the stakes aren’t that high, Petco will be a playoff-like atmosphere, and I’m soooo ready to do my part in helping the boys out!
http://padresfanindodgersland.mlblogs.com/
I was at PetCo last night. The game was disappointing to be at but it was classic N.L. style baseball & there is a lot of 2nd guessing of Bud Black . A lot of people will wonder why they left Garland in to pitch to Ethier . IN the end it is a situatoin you would not have had in an A.L. game. We are 1-6 vs. the Dodgers this yr. & I am not liking that very much .
As for the “Beat LA ” thing ,its lame. Stick w/ Go Padres, can the “Beat LA”, makes us look very small town minded . I am still disappointed that our fans are not very supportive . This wk. we will draw great crowds because the Dodger fans care to drive and be where ever thier team is , but our fans wont show up even though weve been in 1st place most of the season . After the series is over we will be back to the low to mid 20,000s crowds. Very sad .
By past experience I think it is important to not write them off as a “millioin” games behind us because it was only 4 yrs. ago in 2006 when they were in 3rd place middle of summer and came back to tie us on the last day of the season for 1st . 6 games is not far back & worse yet 2.5 for the Giants isnt , either. I am pleased where we are & that weve lasted so long but I will not take the other teams lightly . And last I do agree w/ you about Denorfia , where would we be w/out him ? very valuable to this team
Congrats on having such a great season. Being a Pirate fan I’m a big fan of small market teams like the Padres. I’ve also been to PETCO Park and it was placed in my top five, So beautiful. Anyways, I read your bio and I honestly can relate to you on all of it (except the fav team)
Kristy
http://kristylovesherbuccos.mlblogs.com