Thursday, April 12, 2007 |
Pickoff Moves
Today's Birthdays
Paul Lo Duca LAN b. 1972, played 1998-2004, All-Star: 2003-2006. The epitome of heart-and-soul, uh, save for his extramarital adventures.
Walt Moryn BRO b. 1926, played 1954-1955, All-Star: 1958, d. 1996-07-21
Mickey O'Neil BRO b. 1900, played 1926, d. 1964-04-08
Antonio Osuna LAN b. 1973, played 1995-2000
Vicente Romo LAN b. 1943, played 1968, 1982
Padres' Bullpen Perfect
The Padres' bullpen has yet to give up a run this season:“I think we all know they’re going to eventually give up a run or two. But I think over the long haul you’ll realize how talented our bullpen is. They’re going to be a big part of our success. They have high expectations for themselves of their own performance too,” he said.Greg Maddux beat the Giants 4-0 yesterday, hurling six efficient innings on 75 pitches; the victory was the 334th in his long career. Cla Meredith, Scott Linebrink, and Doug Brocail each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Roster Notes
- Whenever Rafael Furcal returns — and it doesn't look like that will be Saturday anymore — the ensuing roster crunch will knock Russell Martin out of the two spot and further down in the lineup, probably sixth.
"I don't know if I change my approach," Martin said, "but I just stay aware of the fact that they're coming after me. It's not like hitting in the eighth spot, when the pitcher is behind you and they're basically giving you half a base on balls."
Last season, Martin proved that lineup placement didn't matter much. In his rookie season, he hit .282 in 121 games, even though he spent most of the season hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup.
"I definitely enjoy (hitting second) but just give me a bat and I'll swing it," Martin said. "As long as I'm out there, that's what I want. The only difference is that pitchers might pitch you a little bit differently."
- The Angels are trying to fix whatever ails Ervin Santana on the road by changing the timing of his road warmup routine to more closely match that used at home.
The latest idea Scioscia and pitching coach Mike Butcher have kicked around: Have Santana extend his pregame warm-ups on the road into the top of the first inning to simulate the timing he would have at home, when he goes immediately from the bullpen to the dugout to the mound.
"We're going to talk to him about it before his next start," Scioscia said. "His home record is exceptional, and his road record is not what you'd expect. Is it the mound? His comfort level? Is there too much [down] time before the start of the game? We may have him warm up later and go from the bullpen to the mound."
- Finally, Mike Scioscia agrees with me!
"We re-evaluated the running game, and we're going to be a station-to-station team the rest of the season," he said.
Just kidding... - Jered Weaver's pitch count yesterday was 92. Not too shabby.
: 4/12/2007 10:00:00 AM
: 4/12/2007 02:47:00 PMNewer› ‹Older
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