I don't believe in bad omens, I just believe in Heath Bell

Last night Heath Bell converted his 37th consecutive save (Via Corey Brock) opportunity. On a team that produces so few runs it is comforting to know that leads are often held by the back end (Gregerson, Adams, Bell) of the Padres' bullpen.

Do you know who Heath Bell's  last blown save was against? Of course you don't.

Heater's streak began on May 29th, 2010 at Petco Park against the Nationals but to find Bell's last blown save we need to look back to three days earlier (May 26th). Entering the 9th inning the Padres held a slim lead (1-0) against the Cardinals where upon Heath Bell gave up the game tying run after striking out the first two batters in the 9th.

After Skip Schumaker doubled... wait... do you even need to guess who hit the RBI single to tie the game? Go ahead, guess...

That's right, Ryan Ludwick. You get a slap in the face!

The guy who can barely keep his average above .100 was the last guy to deny Heath Bell a save. How painful. So, in a cruel but ironic twist, was it Ryan Ludwick who cost us a spot in the playoffs? The answer is no. The Padres went on to win the game 2-1 in the 13th inning after a Jerry Hairston walk-off HR.

So when was the last time Heath Bell blew a save that actually cost the Padres a win? You have to go back to May 9th when Bell blew his second game of the season and the Padres ultimately lost in extra innings by a  score of 4-3.

I remember the game vividly. Seriously, I do. I cling to this game as the Padres' playoff deal breaker in 2010. Bell came on to hold the lead in the 9th and it quickly evaporated when an easy ground ball was fielded by Padres shortstop Jerry Hairston, and then airmailed into the bleachers. It was a heartbreaking loss that should have completed a 3 game sweep.

Who were we playing? Oh, sorry.

The last blown save resulting in a Padres loss was at Minute Maid Park... against the Houston Astros.

I don't believe this is an omen. I believe in Heath bell.