Why the Hate?

"He sucks.  He's terrible.  I hate when he's playing.  I can't stand him." Any or all of this quote can be attributed to many fans of the Padres this year in regards to a number of players.  With a season approaching the vacuum that is the Black Hole of Suck and Ineptitude, it could be fair to say it of any or all players.  I keep believing that the season will get better, but I must admit, I'm questioning that belief.  Losing really does suck.  To compound that problem, is when you see the opening quote to this blog post about almost any player being repeated ad nauseum in message boards and on twitter.  One player in particular who I've seen almost universally scorned has been today's starting pitcher, Edinson Volquez.

I'm not the biggest Volquez fan. Some might not believe that, as I have defended him from criticism's on many occasions.  My problem is, that for this season, much of that criticism has been based on a perception that might not be the same as reality.  Does Volquez walk too many people? Absolutely.  But would you believe that at 4.7 BB/9 entering today's game, he has his lowest walk rate since 2008?  He gives up a lot of HR!! Actually he doesn't, giving up 0.5 HR/9 IP.  He strikes out 7.6 per 9 IP, which, like his walks, is his lowest since 2008.  Volquez has a 3.49 ERA, a 3.59 FIP, and an xFIP of 4.15 which is the low end of average.  In other words, he doesn't really suck..he's just ...average.

I've come to believe that a big reason many fans don't like him, is because of how the Padres acquired him.  Many fans were sad to see Mat Latos traded. Count me among them.  I don't have direct evidence of it, but I'm getting a feel that people don't like Volquez because he's not Mat.  IT reminds them of the "stupid decision" to trade away Latos.  Well, like I said, I was sad to see Mat traded.  But when I take an honest look at the return, I'd be more upset if I found out Byrnes didn't make the trade.  Especially when you compare Latos to Volquez straight up, and don't even factor in the emergence of Yonder Alonso as a legitimate hitter, Grandal waiting in AAA and Boxberger, whom I must admit, I still don't know much about.

Latos- 4.35 ERA, 3.83 BB/9 8.36 K/9 1.05 HR/9 3.99 FIP and 4.23 xFIP

Volquez has thrown more innings this season and has a slightly better xFIP, and is outpacing by 1/2 a run better in FIP, and more than 1/2 a run better in ERA.  Are Volquez stats sustainable? maybe not. He has a lower than league average BABIP, that could start driving his ERA higher should that regress.  But as for now, Volquez isn't the WORST PLAYER EVER. He's not even pitching worse than whom he was traded for.

So can we tone back the hate on him, or at least explain rationally why he's hated so much?

SOTTJ Continues, and other thoughts

As most of my readers probably know, I was part of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Jersey." In my post regarding my first Padres trip of the season, I included pictures with the then current Jersey Holder, GLBer "padscharg". Today, "padscharg" wrote his SOTTJ Post, in which I was compared, in good nature, to the Lord of the Rings characters Bilbo and Gollum. Given how much I love those novels and movies, I thought it was a great comparison.  Well Played, man, well played.

I don't want to take away from anyone's moment with the Jersey though, believe it or not, I really do wish to promote the project as a whole. It is an amazing idea and concept and has taken off to levels I never imagined.  So go read his post if you haven't done so already, be sure to Rec him, and leave comments.  And if you're not signed up and want to be, let jbox know you're interested. You never now.

**********

In today's game, the Padres fell short again, despite remaining tied up until the 5th inning or so. The same old story really- Plenty of unrealized chances.  No wonder this is my team- They waste opportunities like I have in life.  (Don't read too much into that- It's more of a past tense thing for me).  Postives? Venable nearly had a Cycle again. Not sure if AvengingJM could have handled it if Venable had been successful.  Cabrera got hits 1 and 2 of the season. I'm not sold on him being the answer, but, hey it'd be nice

**********

In Minor League action, I'm hearing that Forsythe is raking, and the T-Pads, consisting largely of last years AA Missions (with Cody Decker being the most recent promoted player) seem to be doing well.  This gives me hope for the future. The guys playing now have been winning on every level.  I'm believing in the future!

**********

I'm in the midst of making plans for the weekend of June 2-3. If I had a couch to crash on, or even good close friends or family, it'd be all 3 days, but looks like I'm hoteling it and to avoid total team broke, its just 1 night and two games.  Have a couple people I'm joining for sunday's games, and making plans for Saturday's too, and would love to hang out with anyone up for it Saturday night.  Especially if you have a cheap place to crash, or a windowless van lol! Also, if you have decent tickets you're looking to unload for either game (2 for Sat, 3 for Sun) let me know. I may be interested! A shot in the dark, I know, but I've got to try right?

Neglect

I've neglected this blog far too long. The last time I wrote, or "wrute" Hudson was a Padre, Bartlett was "healthy" and I was just coming off a whirlwind trip to San Diego. Well, some things don't change.  I got to take another trip to America's Finest City on Saturday, in a very whirlwind fashion. After the Preakness Stakes horse race, which "I'll have another" won, I decided, a trip to San Diego? Why, I'll have another indeed. I decided to go, and figure out tickets later. Fortunately, I was hooked up with one within seconds of deciding to go. It was a great seat, and it was A seat, as the game was sold out. I basically flew to San Diego.  Not a lot of pictures, and this is just intended to be a quit blog to get the writing juices flowing.  I've felt neglected lately.  I probably have zero reason to feel that way.  I realize this world isn't about me.  I've been neglecting to write here, so there's an ironic lesson.  I believe every writer who desires a strong audience has a narcissistic streak in them. It comes with the territory.  That includes me in a large way.  This post has no real point, no real flow, not even much about baseball.  It is what it is. Just like the Padres Season this  year.  Why do you expect me to be good at writing? Why do we expect the Padres to be good at baseball? Well, maybe you don't expect me to be good. And maybe you don't expect the Padres to be good either.  Can't say I blame you on either count....

Light a match, and watch the bridges burn

The San Diego Padres baseball team may have the best pitching staff on the DL.  Stauffer (who's due back soon) Luebke, Moseley, Owings, and now Joe Wieland.  I'm glad they didn't say "only expected to miss one start" and put him on the DL right away. That actually gives me hope we might see him again soon.  Every other pitcher who has been reported as being likely to just miss a start has had a significant long term injury.  So, rest up Joe, and get back here. 

There has been some speculation that Josh Byrnes has been so busy dealing with injuries to the Padres, particularly at pitcher, that he hasn't had time to think about getting rid of Bartlett.  I'm of the mind that if Andy Parrino was playing better, Bartlett would be gone by now.  I know its beating a dead horse to keep asking for his release. So my next question is, why is he still here? The answer? no other options and I think the team may be afraid of burning that bridge before they have too.  But they are approaching the point of no return with Bartlett, namely the vesting option based on plate appearances. Too bad its not based on At Bats, since sacrifices (which is all he seems to do anymore) don't count.

Kind of a weird stretch here. Day game Wednesday that I didn't get to see or pay attention to, followed by an off day tomorrow, makes for about 69 hours between watching the Padres.  Coming home tonight, I was struck by how much baseball does consume my life.  I had no plans, and no one to talk with. Pretty boring lifestyle I lead. Maybe I should have started writing, but I wasn't particularly in the mood.  Oh well. Its here now.  Until next time, KTF

I am not a good writer

Im really not.  And it will be made harder by the fact that my Y key on my keyboard is sticking/broken.  That last sentence took me a long time to write.  I'm not the smartest person. I don't have any recognizable profitable talents.  I like to think I have a big heart, but I know I'm short with people sometimes, and don't always treat them the way I would like to be.  I don't know where this is going. I'm not even sure I can tie it to baseball.  Sometimes, I may venture outside of baseball, and word vomit.  Four years ago today (and we'll call Tuesday today, although its technically wednesday) I gave the most difficult speech of my life, when I spoke at my Grandpas funeral.  I did as I've always done when giving speeches- I spoke extemporaneously. I don't like to write out my speeches. I prepare, yes.  I may jot important keynotes, and I'll research important quotes or facts.  But mostly, I like to speak from the heart.  My writing isn't the best, because, its not as formal as its "supposed" to be.  I make several grammar errors that I know would make certain copy editors scream.  What you will get from me, though, are words from the heart. And sometimes that means baseball isn't the central theme. Sometimes theres no theme at all.  Some days I'm going to my computer, with less of a clue on what to do than Jason Bartlett does with a bat in his hands. Because baseball is such a passion of mine, most of my thoughts do eventually turn back there.  I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for this great game.  I hate the thought of no baseball in my life. But my life isn't centered on it. I have many interests.  I love the Lord of the Rings.  I like cooking, even though I'm not always good at it.  I can listen to music from Eminem, to Garth Brooks, to Mozart, but give me 50s rock and I'm just as, if not more happy.  Speaking of Music, To those that are going to Wednesday's game- I'm jealous.  Bobby Cressey is on the organ, its Tony Gwynn's birthday, and I will miss it all. Work beckons.  It's late. I'm not even going to tweet out this post tonight, so I'll be surprised if anyone reads this. If you do, let me know you did. And Thank you, in advance.

I hope I have something of significance tomorrow.

Something strange going on

Either my last post regarding my visit to Petco was really well read, or Blogger is lying about how many read.  If that many of you really did read, thank you.  I had more page views on that than any other post, by far. UPDATE: After Posting this, I saw that Gaslampball promoted me...twice. Once in a fanshot, the other in their amazing as always stories in regards to their experiences from Fridays game which I met them. Dex and Jbox are seriously awesome. I also want to thank Friarhood for including me in their daily roundup, and GhostofRAK, RJsFro, and several others whom I know have retweeted my posts.  You guys seriously rock for that. I never imagined I would be having so many people read or pass along to read my #wruting.  

The other strange thing is, hey, the Padres won!!! They didn't need a come back to do so, and the bullpen did its job well.  Brad Brach's stuff was filthy. His strikeout in the bottom of the sixth was one of the best looking pitches I've seen and it was good to see him throwing strikes in the seventh-- and getting to face multiple batters.

There was some talk tonight about Volquez hitting a wall and staying one batter to long.  I agree, he was in perhaps a tad to long, but honestly, I can't say I would have played it differently.  He struggled a bit in the third inning but then mowed through the Rockies lineup in the 4th and 5th innings.  In the 6th he seemed to hit that wall again. Here's where many would take him out, but when I asked the question on twitter "Who would you trust to replace him" I didn't get a consensus answer other than "Good Point"  It's not that the bullpen has been bad. In fact, they have been , on the whole, pretty good with the 4th best ERA, and second in Batting average against.   Its just that none of them have been guaranteed lock down. Given the number of innings and the lack of health on the staff, I was hoping, as I'm sure Black was, that Volquez could finish the inning and not have to use the pen yet.  But alas, before Brach's appearance, Joe Thatcher came in as the LOOGY and got Helton out.

Ah, the role of the LOOGY. Pitch to one guy and call it a day.  I know it exists in baseball, but sometimes I wish it didn't.  It would be nice to not burn guys like that, especially given our lack of depth in the pen, and the inordinate number of innings (4th most in the NL) the Padres have thrown, it would be a good idea not to waste an arm on one pitch.  But, I don't get paid the modest salary to manage a team.  Nor have I spent my entire life in baseball, so I might be missing something completely.

I guess I shouldn't complain. The Padres won, and on Jeremy Nash's birthday.  Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Sometimes, Just start writing

Today is one of those days I absolutely have no motivation or theme behind what I am writing. It clearly is a free flowing session.  To begin, I must acknowledge the date, May 6.  It is on this date 4 years ago that my grandfather lost his battle with cancer.  He is one of several close people in my life that have battled that horrible disease.  I miss him tremendously.  The anniversary of his death could be one of the reasons I have been in such a funk today.  There are other reasons I can pinpoint, but I choose not to disclose them here.

A little back history to me for those that haven't been aware.  I lost my fiance to cancer in November.  That too is a daily battle for me.  Some days are easier than others.  When I took my spring training trip, it was my first time going out and doing anything since I lost her.  I did most of the trip alone, but I never was alone. I felt her spirit with me, as she too was a huge baseball fan. She was a Chicago area native that loved the Cardinals, so forgive me for not hating too much on the Cards. Anyways, I always felt her watching the spring games with me, even as I went to each of of them on my own, not meeting any friends or going with any friends in particular.  I am a shy person by nature, but still try to say hi to strangers and I will gladly talk baseball with anyone that will listen, so going alone was no big deal for me.  The trip was a blast.  But even though I spent the nights at friends houses, and got to spend a little time with them here and there, the trip was still a solo adventure.

Fast forward to this weekend.  I have been following a number of people on twitter, and conversing with many of you on different blogs, usually Gaslampball.  2 of the people I converse regularly with invited me to watch the game with them when I announced my intentions to come Friday.  After finally securing tickets for three (and that is an adventure on secondary ticket markets) in an area suitable for a certain ticket snob, my excitement level was among the highest it has been in the last six months.

Friday morning after work, I hit the road, daring military convoys and windmills to stop me. I am a "wruter" afterall and if those windmills got in my way, well I would fight them. Bonus points to anyone who gets that reference.

Creepin on a Ghost,
an Avenger,
and a "Girlie"
 from San Diego

Upon arriving to San Diego, I checked into twitter and discovered that a couple other bloggers were eating at Lolita's across from Petco Park. They were creeping on the FSSD Girls, so I had no problem creeping on them, and since I was standing 20 yards from the restaurant, I decided to do just that. And when I entered, sure enough I saw the brains behind 3 of the blogs I follow (smart ones out there, figure it out!!)

I joined them while I had my tacos, and waited for the rest of my party to arrive.  When they did, I parted ways and made my way towards the entrance, and met with Colleen of "Green Grass Love Affair" and Kaity of "Unfinished Business"
We then headed to the Party at the Park, where I was sorely disappointed when they didn't have margarita mix when I went to the front of the line.  Not cool, Party Organizers. Not Cool.  While in the Park though, I once again saw the Ghost and the Girlie, and introduced them to Colleen and Kaity. While we all chatted, other twitter Padres fans started gathering, including Wonko from GLB, BCline, Charisma.  It was so weird seeing people for the first time, yet already feeling like I knew them. I guess because, basically, I do know them.  While chatting with Wonko (Sean) he noticed something down the hill...

Yep, it is the Sisterhood of the Traveling Jersey!!! So I made my way down to see it. As I approached, I was recognized immediately as Nater Tater before I could say a word.  It's an interesting feeling being recognized by a stranger.  I chatted with them briefly and got a couple of pictures and admired the new patches sewn on so beautifully by the Chief's Ma.

The game was ready to begin, and I discovered that Kaity is just as superstitious as I am...actually more superstitious than I am..about being in the seat before the game starts. We hustled our way to sit in our "highroller" section behind home plate in what was clearly the best seat I've ever had at Petco

The Game itself started off poorly.  The Marlins scored 5 quick runs in the first inning, and I thought, "Well at least I have good company." The Padres started making a little noise in the third inning, and in the middle of the rally, these two ladies showed up

FSSD Girls

The Fox Sports San Diego Girls arrived and chatted with us, since they had heard (because I may have tweeted them and said so) I had made the drive from Yuma for this game.  They were clearly good luck because the Padres scored 6 runs, including Bass' bases clearing "triple" to take a short lived lead.  The FSSD Girls took a picture with the group of us and went on their way

Me with a Pad Squad member,
 who like me, has Arizona roots.
 She however, was not the one
 who gave me the ball,
 nor the one who wore the SOTJ
during the Spring Training. 

During the 7th inning stretch, the Pad Squad was standing near my section, and because I am an animated person and part time umpire, I was giving the out signal on the "you're out" part of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" It impressed Pad Squad enough to give me a ball! Thanks Pad Squad

Kaity, with a souvenier

I gave the Ball to Kaity, because earlier I lost the battery to her camera so, it was small penance.  

Shortly after that,  I tweeted that this game was one of the best I've ever attended, and it was.  The game itself was pretty fun, despite the eventual loss (and the loss of my voice) but because of all the people I had met.  At that point, Dex and/or JBox from Gaslampball asked me where I was, and started creeping on me. As I looked over a strange looking fella with a ski mask (I might be lying about that part) looked towards me and pointed.  Under most circumstances, I would find this odd, and I still found it between 6.19 and 31.3551% odd.  But in 4.2 seconds, a code was flashed to me (bonus to those who can figure it out) like a secret handshake, and I saw Dex, so I knew it was the guys.  I wanted a picture, but apparently the seat nazis at Petco don't like you standing in an aisles. It also appears I am quite hugable. 

Like I said, the game itself was very fun and exciting, despite the loss that would probably have left me frustrated if I was sitting at home seeing the blown opportunities and 16 runners left on base.  The comeback on Heath Bell in the 9th was awesome.  It is too bad the Padres lost and have gone on to lose the next two as well, but it felt damn good watching baseball with so many that I do consider friends.  I was really sad to leave, because I love 2 things almost more than anything on earth: Baseball, and San Diego. Thus it makes great sense that I love San Diego Baseball.  I did not want to leave the cooler weather, the ballpark atmosphere, and most of all I did not want to leave people of a kindred spirit.  There is a bond with Padres fan that is unique.  So I think that explains part of the funk I've been in. I'm missing friends and companionship. I'm feeling alone.  Retelling these experiences helped me recapture that joy. So in that regards, writing, on a night I felt no motivation to do so, was very good thing to do. 

Until next time, KTF. 

Blah

Maybe its a continuation of the post trip hangover. I'm just in a down mood today, and feeling completely unmotivated to write, post pictures or talk about the weekend in the way I want to talk about it.

Also, something is eating at me at a personal level, that I need to work through.  Life. Gotta love it.

The Post game hangover

I'm calling this post the post game hangover, not because of alcohol (I didn't drink , with all the driving I had) but because my brain cells are still sleepy. I finally woke up at 10:30 am after getting home around 4:30. I hope my thoughts come out somewhat making sense. I won't promise interesting.  Last nights game was a blast, despite the loss.  I enjoyed the comebacks with Bass' "Triple" (from my seat it looked to be a basehit and error) and the rally off Bell in the 9th. I enjoyed having bonus baseball.  The fact that I was at the game, enjoying being in San Diego, at the stadium with new friends, while meeting so many people that I've talked with a plenty, but never have met was a huge thrill.  So being there probably negated at least partially the frustration of stranding 16 runners, of Street getting hurt, and ultimately, the loss. Even in losing , the Padres put the tying runner on, and Guzman's final out was a line drive that was just a few feet too low.

My brain is still tired.  I can't articulate what I want to say about just enjoying being at the game with friends and the experiences I had last night , which made it among my most enjoyable, memorable experiences I've had a game.  I'm going to post more later, with Pictures and maybe some better story telling- But for now I just want to make sure you all know I'm alive and home safe and not tied up in a windowless van, or lying in a roadside ditch.

Exit Sandman

Okay, so I stole that line from a tweet from Eddie Carifio, the sports Editor of the Yuma Sun.  I'm sure others have said it too.  Mariano Rivera, the career saves leader, who enters to the song "Enter Sandman" tore his ACL in perhaps the freakiest way imaginable.  Shagging Fly balls. Seriously.  Like if i was cruel (and I can be) and trying to play a joke on someone, I'm sure I would say dude x just tore his ACL shagging flyballs. And they would know I'm joking because, who the hell gets hurt doing that?  Like I said, I can be cruel.  My first thought, upon hearing the injury news, was "Wow that sucks for him" My second thought was, why couldn't this have happened a year ago? Or at least 7 saves ago, leaving him at 601, 1 save shy of Trevor Hoffman's previous record.  I just tweeted how its probably inappropriate to think that, but, I'm a Padres fan first and foremost.  I know there are more of you out there thinking the same thing, whether or not you will admit it.  Another follower of mine responded saying it is terrible, but was thinking the same. He then pondered if Trevor could come out of retirement after the Padres trade Street. My mind dismissed the thought at first. But then I thought, why not? Couldn't Trevor get 7 more saves?  Think of the implications. When Hell's Bell's plays, we can preface it with "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, Marino, it tolls for you!!" (which pigtails off my first thought of how that would have been some form of headline or trolling tweet if Rivera had got hurt at 601 or earlier) Alas, Its all just pipe dreams. Trevor is much classier than that.  The day Trevor comes out of retirement just to get his record back is the day Orlando Hudson mows his own lawn. Or I become a #wruter for ESPN. Speaking of which, I have this idea for a sports comedy site....

Junior Seau

I didn't post anything about Junior Seau and the heartbreaking tragic news from this morning.  Frankly, I was stunned when I saw the reports.  I am not a Chargers fan.  As a kid, I rooted for the Raiders, on account of my dad, and somewhere when I was in 6th or 7th grade I hopped on the Packers bandwagon.  I've always hated the Chargers.  That said, Junior Seau was one of the athletes I greatly respected and admired.  He was as classy off the field as he was ferocious on it.  I've never had a chance to meet him, but I wish I had. I heard nothing but great things about him.  It is said his death is being investigated as a suicide.  If true, it makes the story all the more sad.  Its amazing how much turmoil, grief, and demons can be hiding in someone who appears so well adjusted.  My prayers go out to his family and friends. To anyone wrestling with those thoughts themselves, I pray for you as well. My ears are always open.  Be well friends.  Mr. Seau, you will be missed.

Finally

Its finally happening. I will get to watch my first regular season Padres game of the season Friday, barring unforeseen circumstances.  Been blessed with getting the car repair for cheaper than anticipated, cheaper car rental that I would have figured, a job promotion, and an opening in the schedule.  So I will be planning on leaving Yuma at 1 on Friday, and arriving to San Diego around 4.  I will be meeting with Colleen and Kaity of Green Grass Love Affair and Unfinished Business.  GhostofRAK and Ashley of Diosvagina are threatening to creep on me and throw me in a windowless van with a connection to Chase Bank servers while snapping pictures of Lions from the San Diego Zoo.  Whatever. Its a place to sleep I suppose.

Okay in reality, unless an unknown relative or trustworthy stranger with candy or an ESPN writer with a covert background and an Indian accountant offer me a place to crash, I'll be driving home after the game. A quick trip, sure, but one I've made a number of times, and hope to do more of this year.  So if you're at the game, tweet me @bigtaterz1021 and try to find me.  Looking forward to it.  Go Padres!

In baseball news, the Padres are on a 2 game winning streak again, so naturally, an off day tomorrow.They face the Miami Marlins. Forgive me if I call them Florida. Also forgive me if I no longer post because I have gone blind from their uniforms.  The Marlins come into town with a host of characters that make Heath Bell seem like a normal low key guy.  Speaking of Heater, his decline, which I counted on happening in part, seems to have hastened in a big way. He blew another save tonight against the Giants, giving him somewhere in the neighborhood of 482 blown saves this year. Or 5. Or I just double checked the box score and he couldn't record an out and was lifted for another reliever who officially blew the save. But the 2 runs were on Heater. Pitching decisions are goofy.  So naturally, he will probably find his groove in San Diego. I hope not.  At least not on Friday.

Sarah Phillips

The latest story in the world of sports is this "Sarah Phillips" writer who contributed 10 columns to an ESPN affiliated website. Deadspin.com had an outstanding feature breaking down the story and the events surrounding it.  

Looking back, I'm sure many parties saw opportunities where they could have avoided being scammed.  However, one opinion that I've seen expressed alot is this "How could ESPN have hired a writer they never met" Simple. They never Hired HER per se. They paid her for the stories that she (or whomever it was) generated.  Her column was generating buzz on another website, (although its in question how much of that was legit.)  I have a suspicion if there wasn't a fraud element to this story, and it was simply a case of a writer using a assumed name and picture, ESPN may have still paid for "her" stories.  

Granted, I'm not ESPN. But to the left of my blog, I have snippets of several other blogs. I have not met any of them, but I find what they have to say interesting.  ESPN never met "Sarah Phillips" but liked what "Phillips" had to say, I suppose, or at least enough people did that it justified putting the column on their site.  Would it have been in there best interest to be better aware of how their brand was being represented by Phillips on Twitter? absolutely.  But I'm not as incredulous as some on how an writers works could be published on a site. Its always been my belief that freelance is exactly that. Paid for the particular works.  Sadly, I feel this could only make it more difficult for legit freelance writers to find a larger platform.  

Amazing what a single HR can do

I was in a pretty cranky mood tonight.  Seeing the news that Jeff Suppan was replacing Cory Luebke for tomorrow's start certainly played a role in that.  Reports are that Bud Black thinks it will be just one start. I wish I had faith in that.  Problem is, I feel like I've heard that before.  2 weeks ago, top prospect Casey Kelly was supposed to just miss 1 start.  His elbow still isn't right.  Stauffer was supposed to just miss a start at the beginning of the season.  He's finally making rehab starts.  Seeing our best pitchers in the organization have injuries is always scary.

The bad mood was exacerbated by Jason Bartlett committing yet another error on the second batter of the game.  He compounded that in the bottom of the second by grounding into a double play.  I continue to say it-- He is completely useless.  Why can't he have the bad elbow?  The Padres put runners in scoring position in 5 of 8 innings tonight.  But it was looking like the lack of offense was once again going to screw the Padres.  Volquez continued to improve, as he pitched 7 shutout innings on just 3 hits with 2 early walks to go with 4 strikeouts in another great performance. He also had some defensive help, with Chris Denorfia making a couple good defensive reads on flyballs and line drives at the fence.

It's amazing what one big hit can do to change the mood. After Will Venable (ViLl WeNAblE?!) snuck a basehit through the middle, Mark Kotsay came on to pinch-hit for Chris Denorfia in the bottom of the 8th inning.  A homerun that appeared no-doubter (yet barely cleared, hitting off the top of the scoreboard along the wall) giving the Padres a 2-0 lead. It was all Huston Street needed as he struck out 2 en route to his 4th save of the season.  Go Padres!