Tag Archive: San Diego Padres


San Diego (49-34) at Washington (37-47)

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July 7, 2010

Initially left off the NL All-Star roster, Ryan Zimmerman could still make the team in Internet voting.

The Washington Nationals third baseman is making a pretty good case for himself.
After hitting a dramatic game-winning home run in the series opener – his third homer in two games – Zimmerman looks to continue his torrid hitting against one of his favorite pitchers as the Nationals play the NL West-leading San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

Zimmerman ranks in the top five in nearly every offensive category among NL third baseman, batting .293 with 16 home runs and 51 runs scored, and is one of the best defensively at his position. The reigning Gold Glove Award winner wasn’t selected Sunday to the All-Star team, but is one of five candidates to fill the final roster spot.

Although Cincinnati’s Joey Votto is the favorite to win the Internet vote, Zimmerman, named to his first All-Star team last year, is proving he’s also a worthy choice.

After going 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs in Sunday’s loss to the New York Mets, Zimmerman had three more hits Tuesday against the Padres. His second homer of the game leading off the bottom of the ninth lifted the Nationals to a 6-5 victory and snapped San Diego’s three-game winning streak.

“We all know Zim’s an All-Star. He’s playing like an All-Star, he’s always played like an All-Star. We all are just hoping that he gets in,” said Michael Morse, who matched a career high with three hits for Washington (37-47).

Zimmerman’s two-homer game was his first since hitting two off scheduled starter Jon Garland in a 3-2, 11-inning loss in San Diego on May 30. The slugger is hitting .386 with seven homers and 10 RBIs in his last 11 games against the Padres (49-34), and is 3 for 5 with three home runs lifetime against Garland.

“He’s a very good player – no doubt. I voted for him for the All-Star Game – that’s what I think of Zimmerman,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “My write-in vote’s going to go to (San Diego closer Heath Bell), but that’s besides the point. Zimmerman’s a good player.”

Despite those two homers by Zimmerman, Garland (8-5, 3.24 ERA) pitched well in that start against the Nationals, allowing two runs and five hits in seven innings.

Against Houston on Thursday, Garland struggled with his command, yielding three runs, six hits and a season-worst six walks in a 6-3, 10-inning loss. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 4.85 ERA in his last seven starts after going 6-0 with a 1.60 ERA in his previous seven.

Washington counters with J.D. Martin (0-4, 3.38), who allowed three runs and six hits in five innings of a 4-1 loss in Atlanta last Wednesday.

The Nationals have lost all six of Martin’s starts since he was called up from the minors May 29, and the right-hander hasn’t won in nine starts since defeating the Mets on Sept. 18.

Martin can’t be blamed for all of the defeats, however, as Washington has backed him with two or fewer runs in five of his starts this year.

He is 0-2 with a 1.93 ERA in three career starts against the Padres, and gave up four runs – one earned – and four hits in six innings of a 4-2 loss in San Diego on May 29.

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Jackson throws no-hitter for Arizona in 1-0 win

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June 28, 2010

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP)—Edwin Jackson overcame a wild start to throw the fourth no-hitter in the season of the pitcher, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

Jackson (5-6) threw a whopping 149 pitches—a major league high—and walked eight, all but one in the first three innings, in the second no-hitter in Diamondbacks’ history.

This is the third time the Rays have been no-hit since last July, including Dallas Braden’s perfect game at Oakland on May 9.
Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez no-hit Atlanta on April 17 and Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay tossed a perfect game at Florida on May 29. Armando Galarraga had his perfect game ended with two outs in the ninth on a blown call by umpire Jim Joyce.

Adam LaRoche homered off Jeff Niemann (6-2) with one out in the second, all the support Jackson would need.

Yankees 2, Dodgers 1
At Los Angeles, CC Sabathia won his fifth consecutive start with eight sharp innings, Alex Rodriguez homered in the sixth inning to snap a tie as the New York Yankees beat Joe Torre and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It was Torre’s first time facing the Yankees since leaving as manager in 2007.

The American League East-leading Yankees won their third straight while sending the Dodgers to their 10th loss in 13 games, a slide that has plunged them from first to third in the National League West.

Sabathia (9-3) allowed four hits and one run, struck out seven and walked three. The Yankees’ defense helped him out, too, turning double plays in the third and fifth innings.

Mariano Rivera struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 17th save in 18 chances. Vicente Padilla (1-2) gave up two runs and six hits in seven innings, struck out seven and walked one.

Rockies 4, Angels 3, 11 innings
At Anaheim, California, Jonathan Herrera’s RBI single in the 11th inning lifted Colorado over Anaheim.

Carlos Gonzalez tied the game at 3 when he singled home Herrera in the eighth, ending a streak of 27 straight saves at home for Angels closer Fernando Rodney.

Matt Belisle (3-3) pitched 2 2-3 innings of scoreless relief and Manny Corpas earned his 10th save.

Chris Iannetta doubled with two outs against Francisco Rodriguez (0-1) and Melvin Mora walked before Herrera singled.

Bobby Abreu led off the bottom of the 11th with a single and stole second before Juan Rivera walked, but Mike Napoli hit into a fielder’s choice and Jeff Mathis grounded out.

Athletics 14, Pirates 4
At Oakland, Coco Crisp had three hits and Ben Sheets won for the first time in more than a month as Oakland beatup hapless Pittsburgh.

Crisp singled, doubled and tripled in his third game since coming off the disabled list earlier this week.

Coming off a three-game sweep by Cincinnati, the A’s had 17 hits and a season-high for runs.

Sheets (3-7), who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the A’s in the offseason, scattered eight hits over six innings and had a season-high nine strikeouts to end his personal eight-game losing streak.

Brad Lincoln (0-2) gave up five runs in six innings for the Pirates, who have lost 15 consecutive road games.

Giants 5, Red Sox 4
At San Francisco, Juan Uribe homered, Jonathan Sanchez won his second straight decision, and San Francisco rallied from an early three-run deficit to beat Boston.

Sanchez (6-5) appeared in for a long night after he allowed Kevin Youkilis’ three-run homer in the first inning, but he contributed an RBI infield single as San Francisco got three runs back in the second. Buster Posey had an RBI single that inning among his three hits.

The Red Sox lost Dustin Pedroia in the third after he fouled a ball off his left foot. The second baseman was examined by a trainer, but finished the plate appearance to draw a walk from Sanchez. Pedroia was then replaced by pinch-runner Mike Cameron.

Tim Wakefield (2-6) was solid but didn’t get enough support from his weary teammates. The Red Sox arrived in the Bay Area at 4 a.m. following a 13-11, 10-inning win at Colorado.

White Sox 6, Cubs 0
At Chicago, Jake Peavy allowed three hits over seven innings and Carlos Quentin hit his fourth homer in four games as the Chicago White Sox matched their longest winning streak in 34 years with a victory over the Chicago Cubs.

But all that was overshadowed by a confrontation between Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano and Derrek Lee in the visitor’s dugout following a four-run first inning.

Zambrano (3-6) screamed as he walked down the dugout steps past Lee and stormed toward the other end. Lee appeared to yell something, and as Zambrano headed back toward him, manager Lou Piniella, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, and bench coach Alan Trammell stepped between them.

Cubs catcher Geovany Soto grabbed the pitcher from behind and pulled him away. Zambrano appeared to say something to Piniella on his way to the clubhouse after being lifted for Tom Gorzelanny, who came out to pitch the second inning.

Astros 7, Rangers 4
At Arlington, Texas, Geoff Blum had the go-ahead RBI double to help Houston end Texas’ 11-game winning streak that was the longest in the major leagues this season.

Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton had three more hits to extend his career-best hitting streak to 19 games.

Blum had the third consecutive double for the Astros to start the sixth for a 4-3 lead and chase Colby Lewis (7-5), who pitched a two-hitter at Houston last weekend. Blum then scored when Texas made two errors on the same play.

Chris Johnson had four hits and drove in three runs for the Astros, while Lance Berkman ended an 18-game homerless drought with a 422-foot solo blast. Carlos Lee had three hits, including two doubles.

Royals 4, Cardinals 2
At Kansas City, Zack Greinke went eight-plus innings and Scott Podsednik started a three-run third inning as Kansas City beat St. Louis.

Greinke went into the ninth looking for the franchise’s first consecutive shutouts in almost 18 years. But Felipe Lopez’s sacrifice fly off Joakim Soria drove in Ryan Ludwick, who reached on catcher’s interference leading off the inning. David Freese added an RBI single.

Greinke (3-8), twice pitched out of late-inning jams and gave up seven hits and two runs, one earned. He walked two and struck out six. Soria picked up his 18th save in 20 opportunities.

Brewers 8, Mariners 3
At Milwaukee, rookie catcher Jonathan Lucroy hit his first major league home run to lead Milwaukee over Seattle.

Dave Bush (3-5), whose last turn in the rotation was skipped, pitched six innings. He gave up three runs on seven hits. Carlos Villanueva, Kameron Loe and Trevor Hoffman each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

The Mariner’s Ryan Rowland-Smith (1-7) gave up five runs on five hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Rowland-Smith retired nine of the first 10 batters, but Corey Hart led off the fourth with a single and Ryan Braun singled before Lucroy’s three-run shot. Carlos Gomez followed with a solo homer.

Alcides Escobar’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning and Prince Fielder RBI double in the seventh upped the Brewers lead to 6-3. Gomez singled and Escobar hit another sacrifice to add two more runs in the eighth.

Orioles 7, Nationals 6
At Baltimore, pinch-runner Jake Fox scored the winning run in the ninth inning on a throwing error by Cristian Guzman as Baltimore rallied from a six-run deficit to beat Washington.

The Orioles trailed 6-0 in the fifth inning and 6-3 in the eighth before coming back. Baltimore took full advantage of Washington’s season-high four errors—none more damaging than the last.

Matt Wieters drew a one-out walk from Tyler Clippard (8-4) in the ninth and moved to second on a single by Scott Moore. Fox then ran for Wieters, and Matt Capps entered to face Julio Lugo.

Alfredo Simon (2-1) worked the ninth for the Orioles, who have won two straight for the first time since mid-May.

Braves 3, Tigers 1
At Atlanta, Billy Wagner earned his 400th career save and Brian McCann’s fourth-inning homer helped Atlanta down Detroit.

McCann’s 100th career homer was one of the few mistakes made by Rookie Andy Oliver (0-1) in his major league debut. The left-hander gave up five hits and two runs in six innings.

Brooks Conrad added an eighth-inning homer off Eddie Bonine.

Kris Medlen (5-1), possibly pitching to protect his spot in the Braves’ rotation, gave up six hits and one run in 6 2-3 innings.

Wagner struck out the side in the ninth for his 15th save this season. Wagner is fifth on the career list and second among left-handers behind John Franco who has 424 saves.

Phillies 9, Blue Jays 0
At Philadelphia, Roy Halladay pitched seven scoreless innings in his first start against his former team as Philadelphia routed Toronto.

The series was moved from Toronto to Philadelphia because of the G20 Summit. But the Blue Jays wore white and batted second.

Halladay (9-6) allowed six hits and struck out four to snap a personal three-game losing streak. Jose Contreras and David Herndon finished the seven-hitter.

Ross Gload tied a career-high with four RBIs and Shane Victorino homered, helping the Phillies win their fourth straight.

Blue Jays starter Jesse Litsch (0-2) allowed six runs and seven hits in four-plus innings. The right-hander made his second start since having Tommy John surgery last June.=

Reds 10, Indians 3
At Cincinnati, Drew Stubbs drove in four runs with a homer and a single as Cincinnati sent Cleveland to its sixth straight loss.

The Reds wore green caps as part of an Irish Heritage Night promotion, bringing a new hue to the intrastate rivalry—one that’s been one-sided lately. Cincinnati is 12-4 in the series over the last three seasons.

Aaron Harang (6-7) gave up eight hits in seven innings, getting his first victory in three starts. Cincinnati had been shut out in his last two starts.

This time around, Stubbs hit a two-run homer in the second off Aaron Laffey (0-2), and added a two-run single in the fifth that made it 8-2.

Scott Rolen also homered for the Reds, who lead the National League in batting average and hits. Jay Bruce doubled twice, scored three times and had a sacrifice fly.

Mets 5, Twins 2
At New York, David Wright homered and drove in two runs to back a solid start by Mike Pelfrey as New York beat slumping Minnesota.

Jason Bay added a long RBI double and the Mets took advantage of two rare defensive miscues by the Twins to win for the 15th time in 19 games. Jose Reyes drove in a run and scored another as New York improved to 27-11 at home with its 13th victory in the past 15 games at Citi Field.

The Mets, who began the day a half-game behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East, are a major league-best 22-8 since May 22. The Twins, who entered with a half-game lead in the AL Central over Detroit, have lost four straight and six of eight.

Pelfrey (10-2) gave up a leadoff homer to Denard Span on his second pitch and little else. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 20 chances.

National League

Padres 3, Marlins 0
At Miami, Will Venable’s two-run home run in the seventh inning broke a scoreless tie, Clayton Richard gave up five hits in six efficient innings as the San Diego Padres spoiled Florida interim manager Edwin Rodriguez’s home debut by beating the Marlins.

Venable and Chase Headley each had two hits for the Padres, who have won four of their last five. Richard (5-4) won for the first time in his last six starts, although he has a 2.77 ERA during that stretch.

Hanley Ramirez had three hits for Florida, raising his average to .299. The rest of the Marlins went 4 for 27, with Ronny Paulino getting two of those hits.

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San Diego (40-29) at Tampa Bay (42-27)

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June 26, 2010

Out of the top spot in the AL East for the first time in two months, the Tampa Bay Rays are looking to bounce back from their first losing road trip of the season.

Doing so Tuesday night could be tough against Mat Latos and the NL West-leading San Diego Padres, who come to Tropicana Field for a three-game set.
The Rays (42-27) have lost seven of 10 after a 2-4 trip. A 4-1 loss to Florida on Sunday, coupled with the New York Yankees’ 4-0 win over the New York Mets, dropped Tampa Bay into second place.

The Rays had been in first since April 22.

“I just like to believe that our guys are not going to like (being in second place),” manager Joe Maddon said, “and I would like to see that serve as motivation.”

The Rays shouldn’t need much of that as they get set to face Latos (7-4, 3.19 ERA), who has gone 6-1 with a 2.05 ERA in his last eight starts. The right-hander won his second straight start Tuesday, retiring the first 11 batters and striking out seven in an 8-2 victory over Toronto.

“He had great stuff tonight,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “That’s the type of stuff we’ve seen the last six weeks.”

Latos has given up two runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts. He has never faced Tampa Bay.

Trying to avoid dropping four straight series for the first time since losing five in a row in September, the Rays will give the ball to rookie Wade Davis (5-7, 4.94). The right-hander has gone 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA in his last three starts despite striking out 15 and walking one.

Making his first interleague start, Davis allowed three runs and seven hits for the second straight outing in a 6-2 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. He has gone 2-6 with a 6.48 ERA over his last eight starts.

Davis will face a San Diego team coming off its highest-scoring game in nearly three weeks. After averaging 3.4 runs and batting .243 in the first 17 games of the month, the Padres (40-29) pounded Baltimore for 12 hits in a 9-4 victory Sunday.

First baseman Adrian Gonzalez went 3 for 4 with three doubles to extend his season-best hitting streak to nine. He is batting .438 with two homers and seven RBIs during the stretch.

Gonzalez is hitting .343 versus the AL since the beginning of last season.

The Padres hope to get Chase Headley going, as the third baseman is hitless in 23 at-bats.

Tampa Bay’s struggles are due in part to lack of offense. Aside from a 14-9 defeat to the Marlins on June 11, the Rays scored 11 runs in the other six losses during their current 3-7 stretch.

The Rays need slugging third baseman Evan Longoria to get back on track, as he has gone 1 for 17 over the last five games.

Left fielder Carl Crawford, named AL player of the week Monday, is batting .380 with two homers and seven RBIs in interleague play this season.

The Rays, winners of 17 of 23 at home against NL opponents, lost two of three in each of the Padres’ two visits to Tropicana Field. San Diego is making its first trip to Tampa since June 12-14, 2007.

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Jones’ HR gives Millwood first victory of season

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June 26, 2010

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Kevin Millwood finally got his first victory of 2010.

Not surprisingly, it wasn’t easy.
Millwood bounced back from another tough first inning, Adam Jones hit a two-run home run in his hometown and the Baltimore Orioles held on to beat the NL West-leading San Diego Padres 5-4 on Saturday night.

Millwood (1-8) snapped an eight-game losing streak, the longest of his career. He had lost each of his previous four starts for the Orioles, who at 19-49 have the worst record in the major leagues.

“Anytime you win you’re going to be happy about it but there are some things I thought I could have done better, of course,” Millwood said.

“I think that’s more satisfying than anything,” Jones said about Millwood’s victory. “The man battled his rear off all year and it took him 2 1/2 months to get a win.”

Before he could celebrate, though, Millwood had to watch Alfredo Simon dodge trouble to get his seventh save in eight chances.

Opening the ninth with a two-run lead, Simon promptly put on the first two Padres batters, walking Jerry Hairston Jr. and allowing a double to Tony Gwynn Jr. Simon went to his third straight full count, against Oscar Salazar, who brought in Hairston with a groundout to third. David Eckstein grounded to shortstop and Simon struck out Chase Headley.

“It was a little nerve-racking, no doubt about it,” Millwood said. “Simon made some good pitches there late to get us out of it.”

Millwood improved to 7-1 against San Diego in 15 career starts, with a 3.05 ERA. He’s won six straight against the Padres, who have lost four of six.

Millwood had another rough first inning, allowing three runs, but then settled down. He has allowed 18 runs total in the first inning of his last six starts after not allowing a first-inning run in his first nine starts.

Jones, who graduated from San Diego’s Morse High, gave the Orioles a 5-3 lead with his homer into the second deck in left field on a 1-1 pitch from Clayton Richard with one out in the sixth, his ninth. Ty Wigginton, who also grew up in the San Diego area, was aboard on a leadoff walk.

“I finally swung at a pitch that I should have swung at,” Jones said. “I finally got a good pitch to hit and I didn’t miss it.”

Millwood allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings, struck out five and walked two.

“He’s going to turn it around,” Hairston said. “It’s like a hitter who gets off to a slow start, then gets hot. Millwood’s been such a good pitcher for so many years now. Even though he gave up the three runs, a guy like him, he doesn’t get rattled. He gives his team an opportunity to come back, which he did. He made pitches when he had to.”

Millwood fell behind 3-0 in the first after allowing three hits and two walks, all with two outs. He could have gotten out of the inning unscathed but the Orioles failed to retire Scott Hairston even though he got caught in a rundown between second and third.

Adrian Gonzalez walked and Hairston singled before Yorvit Torrealba singled. Gonzalez took a big turn at third but was held up, and Hairston came more than halfway to third. Hairston was caught in a rundown but slid safely into second base after Wigginton, who had run over from first base, missed the tag. Millwood then walked Will Venable to force in Gonzalez, and Jerry Hairston Jr. hit a two-run single for a 3-1 lead.

“All that happened with two outs,” Millwood said. “We have to be able to get somebody out there. After that I was able to settle down and get some people out and the guys battled back. It was good enough today. I’ve got to quit giving up so many runs in the first inning and get us off to a little bit better start and give the guys a chance to build a lead.”

The Orioles tied it in the third on Nick Markakis’ RBI double and Luke Scott’s RBI single. Markakis also had a sacrifice fly in the first to bring in leadoff batter Julio Lugo, who reached on a two-base throwing error by Hairston Jr., the shortstop.

Gwynn, the Padres’ center fielder, threw out pinch-runner Corey Patterson trying to score from second on Jones’ single.

Richard (4-4) allowed four earned runs on a season-high eight hits in six innings, struck out five and walked one.

NOTES: In Sunday’s series finale, Jake Arrieta will try to become the first player in Orioles history to win his first three big league starts. … Former umpire Doug Harvey, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 25, was honored by the Padres before the game. He also dropped by the umpires room to chat with the crew. “Other than the scabs, there’s not an umpire I don’t love,” he said. “We’re in a brotherhood, a very unique brotherhood.” … Local resident Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL color barrier with the Boston Bruins, threw out the ceremonial first pitch

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Padres catcher Torrealba suspended for 3 games

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June 26, 2010

NEW YORK (AP)—San Diego Padres catcher Yorvit Torrealba was suspended for three games Wednesday after making contact with an umpire.

Torrealba said he planned to appeal the penalty. That would allow him to keep playing until a hearing was held.

“Three days is way too much. I didn’t mean to touch him,” Torrealba said.

Torrealba was ejected in the ninth inning of Monday’s 6-3 home loss to the Blue Jays for arguing with umpire Larry Vanover after taking a called third strike. He was also fined an undisclosed amount.

Major League Baseball said the penalty was to start Wednesday, when the Padres played Toronto, unless he appealed.

Torrealba said the brim of his helmet made contact with Vanover. “I wanted to let him know what I was thinking. He was really inconsistent. I don’t think it was fair.”

“I understand they’re going to miss calls—they’re human like we are,” Torrealba said. “But when you ask, they sometimes talk to you like you’re a little kid. They are so defensive now. We’ve been having some really bad umpires and some really bad calls.”

He is hitting .277 in 32 games, splitting time with Nick Hundley.

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Buck, Wells homer to lead Blue Jays over Padres

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June 25, 2010

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Petco Park is supposed to be a pitcher’s park. Not when John Buck and the Blue Jays are there.

Buck hit his third home run of the series, Vernon Wells also went deep and Fred Lewis had four hits to help Toronto beat the San Diego Padres 7-1 on Wednesday to take two of three.
The Blue Jays had no trouble with spacious Petco Park, padding their big league-leading home run total to 103.

“I got it in the coastal wind, I guess,” Buck said.

Buck launched a two-run shot off the balcony on the fourth floor of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner in the fifth inning for a 3-1 lead. It was his 12th—he homered twice in Monday night’s 6-3 win.

“He’s had a great three days here, hasn’t he? He’s done a great job for us,” manager Cito Gaston said.

“I don’t think you can change the way you hit just because of a particular park,” Buck said. “It’s not that easy. I just went about my approach aggressively, like I would no matter where we’re at because that’s the approach that best gives me the chance to hit balls.”

Wells hit his 16th homer on Kevin Correia’s first pitch of the sixth, making it 5-1.

Lewis tripled, singled and doubled in his first three at-bats before striking out and then hitting a two-run, bases-loaded single with one out in the ninth. He also scored two runs.

“I was hoping he would hit that cycle,” manager Cito Gaston said.

Lewis hit for the cycle in just his 16th big league game on May 13, 2007, at Colorado while with San Francisco.

Toronto left-hander Ricky Romero (6-3) allowed an unearned run and five hits in six innings, struck out five and walked three.

“Ricky battled as long as he could,” Gaston said. “He probably should have had a shutout.”

The Padres scored an unearned run in the second on Romero’s throwing error after he fielded Lance Zawadzki’s chopper that went for a two-out infield single.

Correia (5-5) lost for the fourth time in his last five decisions. He allowed five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings, struck out three and walked one.

“Things happen and all of a sudden a good start goes down the drain,” Correia said. “If I knew exactly why, I could work on it and fix it. But I’m just confused. I’m making some mistakes, but it’s not like I didn’t make mistakes last year.”

NOTES: Padres C Yorvit Torrealba plans to appeal his three-game suspension for making contact with an umpire. That would allow him to keep playing until a hearing is held. Torrealba was ejected in the ninth inning of Monday’s 6-3 home loss to the Blue Jays for arguing with umpire Larry Vanover after taking a called third strike. He was also fined an undisclosed amount. … Wells had been 2 for 28 (.071) during the road trip before his homer. … Lewis had been in a 4 for 33 slump coming into the game. … The Blue Jays won for just the third time in their last 11 road games and for the third time in their last 11 interleague games. … Buck has 11 of his 12 homers in his last 31 starts. … Correia is 1-1 with an 8.68 ERA and four homers allowed in his last four starts.

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Black leaves game to attend daughters’ graduation

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June 23, 2010

SAN DIEGO (AP)—San Diego Padres manager Bud Black left Friday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners early to catch a flight so he can attend his daughter’s college graduation.

Black was in the dugout for the start of the game but left sometime before the fifth inning to begin a trip that will take him to his daughter’s graduation from Oregon State in Eugene on Saturday.

Padres bench coach Ted Simmons took over managerial duties and will continue in the same capacity on Saturday. Black is scheduled to be back for Sunday’s game.

Black has not missed a game since being hired in 2007.

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Liriano outduels Hudson in Twins victory

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June 23, 2010

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Francisco Liriano struck out a season-high 11 batters to edge Tim Hudson in a dazzling pitchers’ duel as the Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Friday.

Liriano (6-3) allowed five hits in eight innings and Delmon Young’s pinch-hit single in the seventh inning gave the Dominican lefty just enough run support. Jon Rauch struck out Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones and Troy Glaus in the ninth for his 16th save.

Hudson (6-2) went the distance for the Braves, allowing two runs on seven hits. Five of those came in the Twins’ two-run seventh inning.
The game served as a ringing endorsement for Tommy John surgery, the ligament replacement procedure that once spelled the end of a pitcher’s career. Both Hudson and Liriano had the surgery.

Red Sox 12, Phillies 2
At Boston, David Ortiz drove in four runs, Boston led 12-0 after three innings as the Red Sox beat up Philadelphia in the worst start of Jamie Moyer’s 24 seasons.

The 47-year-old left-hander allowed nine runs on nine hits, including six doubles and Mike Lowell’s two-run homer, and left after failing to retire any of the first four batters in the second inning. Boston added three runs in the third off David Herndon.

John Lackey (7-3) won his third straight decision, giving up two runs and six hits in seven innings.

Yankees 4, Astros 3
At New York, Andy Pettitte threw 7 1-3 sharp innings as New York beat Houston.

Francisco Cervelli hit a two-run single in New York’s three-run first inning, and Mark Teixeira added an RBI single in the fifth.

Pettitte allowed two earned runs and four hits against his former team to improve to 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA in his last four starts.

Marlins 14, Rays 9
At St. Petersburg, Anibal Sanchez pitched seven solid innings and Gaby Sanchez homered twice as Florida beat Tampa Bay.

The Marlins beat their intrastate rivals for just the third time in 13 tries over the past three seasons, handing Rays starter James Shields (5-5) his fourth consecutive loss while Anibal Sanchez (6-3) won for the fifth time in six starts.

Gaby Sanchez had four hits, including a three-run homer off Shields, who matched a career high by allowing 10 runs over 3 1-3 innings. The Marlins first baseman also had a sacrifice fly in the fifth and two-run homer in the seventh.

Angels 10, Dodgers 1
At Los Angeles, Joel Pineiro pitched a five-hitter for his second complete game win of the season as the Angels blew out the Dodgers.

Hideki Matsui and Torii Hunter had three-run doubles, helping the Angels win for the eighth time in 10 games and snapping the Dodgers’ four-game winning streak.

Pineiro (5-6) struck out seven, walked one and retired his final 14 batters to earn his second straight win. He also helped the team on offense, becoming the first Angels pitcher to score three runs in a game since 1962.

Giants 6, Athletics 2
At San Francisco, Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead two-run homer in his San Francisco home debut back in his native Bay Area, helping Tim Lincecum end a four-start winless streak.

Bengie Molina added a two-run shot of his own in the sixth off Gio Gonzalez (6-4), ending a 98 at-bat homerless streak.

Lincecum (6-2), the two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, won for the first time since May 15. He allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out seven and walked one in eight innings.

Brewers 6, Rangers 2
At Milwaukee, Corey Hart hit his National-League leading 17th home run, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Casey McGehee also went deep in a victory over Texas.

Braun’s two-run blast in the first set the tone, McGehee drove in his 46th run with his solo homer in the fourth and Hart and Fielder hit consecutive shots in the fifth off Rangers starter Rich Harden (3-3).

Milwaukee starter Chris Narveson (5-3) pitched a career-best seven innings and throttled the AL West-leading Rangers, who had won three straight by a combined score of 31-6 over Seattle.

Mets 5, Orioles 1
At Baltimore, Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey baffled Baltimore for seven innings and Chris Carter hit his first major league homer in New York’s victory.

Dickey (4-0) gave up one run and seven hits to win his fourth straight start. The right-hander had a career-high eight strikeouts.

Carter hit a three-run shot in the fourth inning to stake the Mets to a 4-0 lead against Jeremy Guthrie (3-7) and David Wright had three hits and two RBIs for the Mets.

Royals 6, Reds 5, 11 innings.
At Cincinnati, Kansas City’s Yuniesky Betancourt completed his big game with a run-scoring single in the 11th inning in a victory over Cincinnati.

Betancourt also had an RBI double and a two-run homer. His two-out single off Micah Owings (3-2) gave the Royals their first set of consecutive wins in June.

Victor Marte (1-0) escaped a two-on threat in the 10th. Joakim Soria retired Scott Rolen on a fly ball with runners on first and third to end it, getting his 15th save in 17 tries.

The Reds, who lead the majors with 12 wins in their final at-bat, stranded runners in scoring position in each of the last three innings.

White Sox 10, Cubs 5
At Chicago, Alex Rios and A.J. Pierzynski each had four hits and homered, and Carlos Quentin also went deep as Chicago beat its crosstown rivals.

Pierzynski drove in three runs and Paul Konerko knocked in two runs and scored twice to back a strong outing by Jake Peavy (5-5), who allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings.

Indians 7, Nationals 2
At Cleveland, Austin Kearns drove in four runs with two homers against his former team as Cleveland beat Washington.

Travis Hafner also homered for Cleveland as manager Manny Acta won his first game against the team that fired him last July 13.

Jake Westbrook (4-3) gave up two runs over 7 1-3 innings and Chris Perez got his sixth save as Cleveland won for the fourth time in five games, depriving Washington of its first four-game winning streak.

Kearns hit a three-run shot off Luis Atilano (5-3) in the first inning. He hit the first pitch of the fourth for a 5-1 lead and his fourth multiple homer game, his first since June 4, 2006, at Houston.

Tigers 6, Pirates 2
At Detroit, Brennan Boesch hit a solo shot in a three-run fourth inning and Ramon Santiago had a two-run homer in a three-run sixth as Detroit cruised past Pittsburgh.

Justin Verlander (7-4) gave up two runs on four hits and matched a season high with four walks in seven-plus innings.

Ross Ohlendorf (0-4) allowed six runs—all with two outs—and 10 hits in six innings.

Padres 4, Mariners 3
At San Diego, Nick Hundley hit a sacrifice fly to cap two-run ninth inning and give the San Diego Padres a 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Will Venable led off the ninth with a single off David Aardsma (0-4) and advanced to second on a sacrifice fly. Aardsma then hit Chase Headley to bring up Gonzalez, who doubled into the right-field corner to score Venable and tie the game 3-3.

Scott Hairston was walked intentionally to load the bases before Hundley lifted a fly ball to right field. Ichiro Suzuki’s throw was not in time to catch Headley, who scored standing up.

Joe Thatcher (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win. Aardsma blew his fourth save.

Rockies 5, Blue Jays 3
At Denver, Ubaldo Jimenez pitched through rain and problems with his command to become baseball’s first 12-game winner as the Colorado Rockies beat the Toronto Blue Jays.

The game was twice stalled by bad weather before being called after six innings.

Jimenez (12-1) allowed a season-high three runs and five hits in six innings, and his major league-low ERA edged up to 1.16 from 0.93 in a game.

Ricky Romero (5-3) allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings, including a tie-breaking home run by Carlos Gonzalez in the fifth inning.

National League

Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 2
At Phoenix, Brendan Ryan hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over Arizona.

Ryan’s drive ruined an otherwise good pitching performance from Arizona’s Rodrigo Lopez, who retired 16 straight batters until he allowed back-to-back singles in the seventh. Ryan homered on the first pitch he saw from Lopez with two outs in the inning.

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Padres rally with 2 in 9th to beat Mariners 4-3

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June 23, 2010

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Late, dramatic wins for the San Diego Padres at Petco Park are starting to become routine.

Nick Hundley’s sacrifice fly capped a two-run ninth inning to lift the Padres to a 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
It was San Diego’s seventh win at home this season that was decided in the ninth inning or later, including four that ended on home runs. It was also the second time in less than two weeks that Hundley has supplied the game-winning swing.

“If you look at the whole (ninth) inning, it’s a microcosm of where we are at,” Hundley said. “We had five great at-bats just to get to me, just to give me the opportunity.”

The late-inning wins have given the Padres confidence, especially at spacious Petco—where many games are close, low-scoring affairs.

“Everybody just believes that we are going to win these games,” said Chase Headley, who scored the winning run. “Even the close games we don’t win, we are putting ourselves in position to win, and that gives us confidence. It’s starting to build.”

The late-inning loss was all-too familiar for the Mariners, who have lost 15 games in their opponents’ last at-bats, including nine game-ending hits.

“When we have a chance to win, we’ve got to go out and win,” said Seattle closer David Aardsma. “I’m the last one holding them up and obviously, I haven’t done the job as well as I need to.”

The victory allowed San Diego to pull into a first-place tie in the NL West with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost 10-1 against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.

Pinch hitter Will Venable led off the ninth with a single off Aardsma (0-4). He advanced to second on a David Eckstein’s sacrifice. Aardsma then hit Headley to bring up Adrian Gonzalez, who doubled into the right-field corner to score Venable and tie the game 3-3.

Scott Hairston was walked intentionally to load the bases before Hundley lifted a fly ball to medium-deep right field. Ichiro Suzuki’s throw was not in time to catch Headley, who scored standing up.

“I was just looking for something to drive there,” Hundley said. “He threw me a fastball out over the plate that I could get out to the outfield.”

Said Aardsma: “I have to go out there and get outs, and I didn’t. That two-strike pitch to Venable, I left it up. If I get that out, they don’t have much going that inning.”

Aardsma blew a save opportunity for the fourth time this season.

Hundley also helped the Padres beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on May 30 at home with a pinch-hit single in the 11th inning.

“I think we are all on the same page,” Hundley said. “We are here to get a job done and no one cares who gets the big hit as long as we win.”

Joe Thatcher (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.

Seattle lost its fourth straight and for the sixth time in seven games.

San Diego won for just the third time in its last 15 interleague home games.

Milton Bradley hit a solo homer in the sixth inning to put the Mariners ahead 3-2. Bradley connected off Kevin Correia for his fourth homer and first since May 25.

Jason Vargas allowed a pair of runs in the third inning but pitched out of a couple of jams for Seattle. The right-hander gave up seven hits, struck out five and walked two as he allowed three earned runs or less for the 11th straight start.

After falling behind 2-0, the Mariners tied the score in the fifth.

Eliezer Alfonzo led off with a double, was sacrificed to third and scored on Suzuki’s ground out. Chone Figgins was hit by a pitch and scored when Franklin Gutierrez tripled off the top of center-field fence.

Gutierrez missed a home run by inches as the ball hit the padding at the top of the fence.

Bradley finished 3 for 4 and had a stolen base.

Tony Gwynn put the Padres ahead in the third with an RBI triple that scored Jerry Hairston Jr., who led off with a single. One out later, Eckstein singled in Gwynn for a 2-0 lead.

Correia gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings.

NOTES: Seattle announced before the game that RHP Mark Lowe will have microdiscectomy surgery on his lower back Tuesday in Seattle. Lowe, the Mariners’ set-up man, is likely out for the season. … Padres manager Bud Black left during the game to catch a flight so he can attend his daughter’s graduation from Oregon State on Saturday. Black will also miss Saturday night’s game. Bench coach Ted Simmons took over the managerial duties. … Mariners bench coach Ty Van Burkleo missed Friday’s game to attend his son’s high school graduation in Northern California.

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Seattle (23-38) at San Diego (36-25)

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June 23, 2010

Even though they easily handled Cliff Lee, the San Diego Padres couldn’t beat the Seattle Mariners last month. Wade LeBlanc’s poor performance is mostly to blame.

Those pitchers look to rebound after posting terrible outings the last time they matched up, taking the mound as the Padres continue a three-game series with the Mariners on Saturday night.
On May 21, Lee (4-2, 2.77 ERA) had the worst outing of what has been yet another strong season, giving up eight runs in 6 1-3 innings to San Diego (36-25). Still, he got a victory as Seattle (23-38) won 15-8.

LeBlanc (3-4, 3.21) was the main culprit for the Padres, surrendering eight runs in three innings, a short outing that taxed the bullpen. LeBlanc has lost each of his two starts versus the Mariners, getting tagged for 12 runs in 4 1-3 innings.

LeBlanc snapped a personal four-game losing streak Monday night, giving up four hits in seven shutout innings of a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia.

The left-hander has lost three straight starts at home despite posting a 3.50 ERA. The Padres have not given him a run to work with during that stretch.

Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner, has been outstanding despite playing for a last-place team. The veteran left-hander is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last three outings.

He notched his second complete game of the season Monday night, striking out seven in a 4-2 win over Texas. Lee improved to 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA in four road starts.

Lee is 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA in three outings versus the Padres.

San Diego overcame a strong start by Seattle’s Jason Vargas in this series’ opener, rallying for two runs in the ninth inning to win 4-3 on Friday night, moving into a first-place tie with Los Angeles in the NL West.

“Everybody just believes that we are going to win these games,” said Chase Headley, who scored the winning run. “Even the close games we don’t win, we are putting ourselves in position to win, and that gives us confidence. It’s starting to build.”

Manager Bud Black won’t be with the San Diego until Sunday’s series finale. Black left Friday’s game to catch a flight so he can attend his daughter’s graduation from Oregon State on Saturday.

Bench coach Ted Simmons is taking over managerial duties as the Padres seek a fifth win in seven games.

Seattle has lost four straight and seven of eight, scoring three runs or fewer six times. The Padres held the Mariners hitless in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Milton Bradley, though, was a bright spot for Seattle, hitting a solo homer. It was his first homer since May 25 and fourth overall.

The veteran left fielder finished with three hits. He entered the game with a .145 average in 15 road games.

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