Tagged: team usa
Padres Win, Walk-Off Style
Back to some Padres baseball. On Sunday, we lost 12-7. I don’t even want to go there because I need to talk about yesterday’s game!
- 9-7 Padres (yes, you read that right!!)
WE WON!!! It was such a cool game. Definitely the best game they’ve played so far this spring. Chris Young started and threw 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He also struck out five. It was good to see him go out there and have a fairly good game. Justin Hampson gave up a run in his 0.2 innings of work. Cesar Ramos had three decent innings. He threw two scoreless before allowing three runs in his third inning of work. Edwin Moreno threw the top of the ninth.
The Royals had a four-nothing lead until the sixth. But then the Padres scored four runs in the bottom of that inning to tie the game. Kyle Blanks had a booming two-run double. The Royals went ahead 7-4.
I didn’t listen to the whole game, but I came in around the bottom of the ninth. The Padres are behind by three runs. It’s so cool how you can look back at certain events, certain things that happened in your life, and you can remember exactly what was going on, what you were thinking. Well, this bottom of the ninth was one of those for me. Ah, I wish I had a play-by-play recap of that inning! I’ll try to remember it as best as I can. I think we got two runners on with one out. A guy popped out shortstop, I think. Then Kyle Blanks came up. Kyle had already had a hit and two walks when he came up to the plate. He promptly hit a run-scoring single to tie the game. Then Chase Headley came up.
During this inning, I knew we were going to come back. Like, I had that feeling, but I didn’t let myself get my hopes too high. But I knew. I told myself to enjoy the inning, no matter what happens, because something big might very well happen right now. With two outs, you’re always cautious about getting your hopes up too high. But I knew that Chase could hit a walk-off homer. So cool that I thought about that! I think Ted Leitner called it. It might have been the batter before, but he mentioned that if one of these guys could just get one into that wind, which was blowing out, they could give the Padres a walk-off win. He TOTALLY called that.
Well, what do you know. After a pitching change, Chase Headley stepped into the box. With a count of 3-1, he hit a NO-DOUBTER right out of the park. It was so cool to hear the excitement in Ted’s voice as he called it. He didn’t have to tell us it was a no-doubter; we could hear it in his voice. I was sooooo excited!! Come-from-behind walk-offs are the best! I love love love them!!! It was so exciting. I mean, we won for the first time in a realllly long time. And this time, the hitting was able to catch up with the pitching.
Catcher Josh Bard got signed by the Nationals over the weekend. I really hope he can get some playing time!
Yesterday the Padres got a couple new players. We signed pitcher Shawn Hill to a minor league deal. He might get a rotation spot. We also got pitcher Luke Gregerson as the player-to-be named-later in the Khalil Greene deal.
Josh Geer, Scott Patterson, Joe Thatcher (WHOOOOHOOOOO!!!!), Jose Lobaton, Matt Antonelli, and Will Venable were sent to Triple-A. I feel bad for a few of these guys (not Thatcher), but it will be good for them.
I know you’re all wondering….
You’ve been slogging through all that Padres news to see if there’s any other news…
Yes, my dad read my entry last night…
He talked with my mom this morning…
And the answer is…is….is……………
I’M GOING TO FAN DAY!!!!!
I am sooooooooooo excited!! It’s going to be so much fun!!!! I can’t wait. My dad won’t be taking me because he has responsibilites at church, but my mom and my little brothers will be going. I might even bring a few friends. Wow, that’s the Sunday after next!! I’m kind of glad that it’s coming up quickly, so that way I don’t have to wait as long 🙂 Hyun Young, it’s going to be great to hang out at Petco Park with you! We need to convince Jen to come too! It’s free, Jen…nice and easy on a student’s budget!!
I wanted to thank you all for all the support, and for all the great comments that I put in my previous entry. I can’t wait to share all the pictures and stories from this event with you! Thank you so much. You guys are the best!!
Today the Padres are playing the Angels in Tempe. Cha Seung Baek is starting. I think he’s due for a good outing. Let’s see if we can carry the momentum from yesterday into today!
Team Japan won the WBC for the second time last night. It was a really great game. I thought the defense was incredible. So, congrats to Team Japan. They made an incredible run, and they are a stellar baseball team.
I’m off to eat a celebratory slice of chocolate cake. I’m so excited!!!
GO PADRES!!!
(photo credit: wikipedia.com)
USA!! USA!!
- 6-5 Team USA
What a game. What a game. Just like, wow. It was like a playoff game, full of so much emotion and nail-biting. It was really a back-and-forth game. I didn’t watch it, and I didn’t even listen to it. But this morning I read the articles, watched the highlights. What a great victory for the United States!
Ted Lilly started the game for USA and gave up three runs in 3.1 innings. Padres’ closer Heath Bell gave up a run, as did Jonathan Broxton. The other four relievers did not give up a run or a hit. Kevin Youkilis hit a solo homer.
But the most exciting part, of course, was the bottom of the 9th. Yesterday, Jane Heller asked us on her blog if we liked blowouts or pitcher’s duels better. I wasn’t really sure, because I love both, but I think I got my answer with this game. I love these tight games where both teams keep chasing each other. One team gets a couple runs, the next team scores three, the first team ties it, the second team get another, the first team gets three to go ahead, and on and on and on. I love those games where it comes down to the bottom of the ninth, to do-or-die. And I love it when my Padres are able to come out on top, with a walk-off come-from-behind win. Oh man, that’s my favorite.
Last night’s game was very much like that. The score was 5-3 Puerto Rico going into the bottom of the ninth. Not impossible for this team of All-Stars to come back from. Here’s how it went down: Shane Victorino and Brian Roberts singled, followed by a walk to Jimmy Rollins. Kevin Youkilis walked in a run to bring USA that much closer. Then David Wright came to the plate.
With a count of 2-1, he hit a ball down the right field line, driving in two to win the game. His teammates jumped on him near second base (I really hope Jake wasn’t in that pile!!!). Watching the video of that walk-off hit just gave me chills. I LOVE walk-offs! It was so neat to hear Matt Vasgersian call the hit. How many times have I heard him call those walk-offs for the Padres, with his trademark, “Santa Maria!”? It was great to hear Matty V. again, obviously enjoying his new job.
What a great victory! There weren’t that many people in the stands, but the energy in that 9th inning felt so much like a playoff game. And so, the USA rolls on. But Jake needs to come back!!!! Also, Korea defeated Japan 4-1 last night at Petco Park. Very cool. I’m sure Hyun Young is excited 🙂
- 12-7 Angels
Alright, I’m changing topics to the Padres-Angels game yesterday. Nastiness! Our pitching is absolutely miserable!! Josh Geer, six runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings. Scott Patterson, three runs on three hits in 0.2 innings. Justin Hampson, three runs on four hits in one inning. Greg Burke, Ivan Nova, Chris Britton, and Mark Worrell were able to throw scoreless innings. Ah man, it’s bad. Our pitching is really bad.
But we are hitting. Jody Gerut hit his first homer of the spring, a two-run shot. Kouz and Chase Headley each drove in a run. Kyle Blanks had two hits. Chris Burke had a two-run single. Chris Snelling drove in a run. We hit very well. I was pleased. At one point we came from behind to take a 7-6 lead. Of course, it was quickly given up by the pitching staff, but at least we were able to get up on top. I’m telling you, our hitting cannot keep up with our pitching. They give up runs all through the game, and our hitters just can’t kept up. From Saturday, March 7th to yesterday’s game, our pitching staff has given up 85 runs. That’s ten games. ACK!!!!
The Padres wore their green caps in honor of St. Patrick’s Day yesterday. It didn’t exactly match the navy blue uniforms, but it was cool. Broadcaster Andy Masur was commenting on the fact that it looked like Christmas in the stands, with all the Angels fans and green for the holiday.
After the game the Padres made a few roster moves. Wade LeBlanc was sent to Triple-A. Mike Ekstrom, Cesar Carrillo, and Travis Denker were also moved to Triple-A. Chris Britton, Matt Buschmann, Pete Ciofrone, Mitch Canham, and Cedric Hunter were sent to minor league camp. LeBlanc was considered a candidate for the rotation, but he needs a lot more time. He struggled as a starter when he came up near the end of last year, and he did not do well this spring either. The Britton move was kind of suprising. Sure, he wasn’t doing great, but the Padres were looking at him as an 8th inning set-up guy. But it was not to be. Chris has been told that he will not make the team out of Spring Training. That’s kind of sad, but these moves need to be made.
And now, the worst news of the week (even worse that the Padres’ pitching problems): TREVOR IS HURT!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Panic!!!!!! Well, it’s not that bad, but he’s an old dude. He needs to be very careful with himself. He has a Grade 1 (the least serious) strain of his right oblique muscle, sustained the day after his outing on Friday. The thing with Trevor is that he doesn’t pitch that much, and even when he does, it’s just one quick inning. As a result, he has to keep in shape while he’s not pitching. This is going to be tough for him, but hopefully he will be able to rebound with no further damage. AHHHH!!!! We need you healthy for your last year as a Padre in 2010, Trevor!!! Get well soon!!!!
Today we are playing the Rangers again in Peoria. Cesar Ramos will pitch three innings, followed by Walter Silva for two. Let’s see how many runs our pitching will give up today!
GO PADRES!!!
(photo credit: arenaflowers.com)
Review of a BUSY Weekend
Ah, it’s so great to be back to blogging after a busy weekend! I’ve got a lot to tell you guys, so hang in there! Lots of interesting stuff happened this weekend…
PADRES GAMES
- Saturday against the Indians: 8-6 Indians
It was a pretty good game from the Padres’ side, actually. Cha Seung Baek started, not allowing a baserunner until he gave up a bunt single in the third. He pitched four innings, giving up two runs on two hits. I think he’s getting a little better. Justin Hampson has been falling apart a bit lately. He gave up four runs on three hits. Arturo Lopez gave up two runs. But the other three pitchers did well.
The hitting highlight of this game was probably outfielder Drew Macias. He had three hits and a great defensive game as well. Cliff Floyd drove in two runs, and Luis Rodriguez had an RBI. I think we did pretty well in this game. Obviously the pitching is still struggling, but I seriously think that the hitters are ready to go. They’ve been in camp for a while, and they are ready. But there are still a lot of roster decisions to be made, so it’s good that some of these guys are getting as many ABs as possible. This half of the Padres lost 8-6.
- Saturday against the Giants: 8-4 Padres
We won half of this split-squad thingy! If you had asked me, I would have said that the team in Peoria would have won, but no. It was the Scottsdale team that came out on top.
Cesar Ramos started the game and threw three scoreless innings. I am very pleased that he had a good outing. He probably won’t make the team out of Spring Training, but he has struggled this spring, so it’s good to see him put up some zeros there. Walter Silva pitched two scoreless innings, which is great! Silva is on loan to the Padres from a team in Mexico, and we’re taking a look at him for as potential starter in the rotation. Thing is, he hurt his ankle and Saturday was his first outing this spring. I am very glad that he pitched well, though! Jae Kuk Ryu and Will Inman each gave up two runs. But otherwise, the pitching did pretty well!
Chase Headley and Nick Hundley each hit a two-run double in this game. Kyle Blanks hit his second homer of the spring, driving in two runs. Very cool. My boy Kevin Kouzmanoff also had two hits. Yay! We seem to hit Matt Cain pretty well. At least lately. When we faced him in a game in September, we killed him, getting like five runs in the bottom of the first. And here again, he gave up five runs to us. Interesting. And so, this half (the better half?) of the Padres won 8-4. Great game!
- Sunday against the Rangers: 10-7 Rangers
Well. Not so great game for my Padres, or should I say, their pitching!!! Let’s see…Wade LeBlanc gave up three runs in two innings, Nick Schmidt gave up six runs without getting an out, and Josh Banks gave up a run. I don’t remember who Josh Banks is. He might have come up to the majors last year, but I’m not sure…oh wait, I remember him now. He must have been in the minor league camp so far. Anyways, Joe Thatcher threw a scoreless inning, even getting three strikeouts around two hits. He still needs to go way down to the minors.
Chad Huffman hit a homer and got three hits. Pete Ciofrone also hit a homer. Chris Snelling (more about him later) had a double and drove in three runs. Brett Dowdy had two hits.
And so, we lost. But it was a great game on the hitting side. If you don’t have good pitching, you don’t win. Jerry Coleman is brilliant.
MY BROTHER’S GAME
So, my brother played his fourth game of the season on Saturday afternoon. It was a great game! Pirates against the Marlins, and the Pirates came out on top, 7-2. First of all, the Marlins pitching was not very good. My brother got on base for the very first time in his baseball career by getting walked on four really wide pitches. So, when he’s in the majors some 12-15 years from now, he can say that he got on base for the first time by getting walked on four pitches. How neat! The reporters will be all over that. Just kidding 🙂
Anyways, in the last inning (which happened to be the fifth), the Marlin’s pitching was going nuts. Strikeout, walk, walk, hit by pitch, hit by pitch, walk, walk. Yeah, pretty crazy. In fact, their pitching gave up nine walk in five innings! But now, the most exciting part (to our family): my brother got hit-by-pitch! But not just any ordinary HBP. He got it with the bases loaded! Now he can tell the reporters when he makes his major league debut that he got his first ever RBI by getting hit-by-pitch from a pitcher who was not very good! And he didn’t get hit badly. I think he got it in the shoulder/upper arm area. It was certainly a little sore the next day, but he was fine. Pretty cool! My mom and I were just sitting there laughing. It was pretty amazing!
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Now, the WBC. Mexico is very close to elimination, but with my Gonzalez boys on that team, they have a chance to get back into this thing. I think it was a really great weekend at Petco Park. Some great games were played. And Team USA is still in it for now.
JAKE PEAVY
But now I must have a little rant. About Jake Peavy. Yes, Padres ace and face of the organization is pitching with Team USA right now. He’s had two outings, and he’s given up eight runs in five innings. He’s also given up five walks. I am really worried about him. I feel like he’s pushing himself way too hard way too early. He only had two outings with the Padres before he left. He’s been put into this “playoff” atmosphere, and I know how much pride he has about playing with that USA on his chest. But I really think he is pushing himself too hard. And I’m worried that this will carry over to the season. Last time the WBC came around, Jake gave up three runs in eight innings. That was the year that he got hurt. Can you believe the blow it would be to this Padres team if Jake isn’t in top form this year?? Well, we saw it last year, when Jake was out with that elbow problem. That along with the 22-inning game killed our season. We can’t lose our ace. Not again. So, I hate to say it, but I really hope Jake can get back into camp soon. He really needs to slow it down. Come back to us, Jake!!!!!!!!!!
UM, EDGAR…??
I just had to share this picture. I mean, is that creepy or what? In the photo caption on MLB.com, it said that Edgar was sharing a laugh with his brother Adrian. Looks more like Edgar is yelling at his younger brother. Poor Adrian, always getting lectured by his older, shorter brother. Just kidding, the Gonzalez brothers have a great relationship. And though I have no doubt that Edgar really was laughing in this picture, I just had to poke fun at him. It is a pretty funny picture!
NEW SIGNEES
The Padres signed two players to minor league deals over the weekend: outfielder Chris Snelling and pitcher Duaner Sanchez. Now, the outfielder move is really questionable in my mind. We don’t need another outfielder! Maybe they want him for his bat. But I mean, our outfield is all locked up. We’ve got Jody Gerut in center, Brian Giles in right, and Chase Headley in left. Plus, we’ve got Scott Hairston and Will Venable, who are stellar outfielders. I don’t think we have a place for Snelling, but he sounds like a good player. As for the new pitcher, hey, we need arms that don’t give up ten runs a game. So let’s see if he can pitch!
CHECK IT OUT…
The Best Blog Out There! Get over to this blog and welcome a new die-hard Padres fan to the community. You can never have too many die-hards around here, especially Padres fans! I am very excited to read about another Padres fan’s opinions of our team!
Well, the Padres are off today. Tomorrow we will play The Angels Angels in Peoria. GO PADRES!!
(photo credit: MLB.com)
Unfinished Business 