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.

Luis Salazar's Debut

When I moved to San Diego as a youngster I quickly took up the painful experience we call Padres fanhood. During those early stages of Friar consciousness I rooted for third baseman Luis Salazar.

I always think of Salazar as a Padre even though my time cheering for him in the brown and gold (1987, 1989) was short lived... or was it brown and orange at that time? Nevertheless Luis Salazar is a Padre through and through, to me.

I mention this blast from the past because, with great regret, we have recently found Luis Salazar's name in the news. Salazar was struck in the head by a foul ball, and while escaping brain damage, he has lost his eye. 

As a tribute of sorts, I thought I'd look through the archives to see if I could find some of Luis Salazar's most memorable games as a Padre. He served three stints as a Padre (1980-1984, 1987, 1989) but I'll go ahead and jump in where it all started: 1980....

August 15th, 1980

Luis Salazar made his debut against the Houston Astros when manager Jerry Coleman inserted him as a pinch runner for Broderick Perkins in the bottom of the 8th inning of a 1-1 tie. Salazar would be left stranded and then spend the next 12 innings pickin' splinters. That's right... Luis Salazar's debut was in a 20 inning 3-1 loss to the 1st place Astros.

He would get his chance two days later.

August 17th, 1980

Game 1
In Luis Salazar's first start as a Padre on August 17th, 1980 the Padres lost 5-0 to the Houston Astros. Randy Jones was the hard luck loser after going a strong eight innings and giving up 3 runs. In a lineup that featured future Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and Ozzie Smith it was Luis Salazar who's star shined brightest. Those fellas were held hitless but it was Salazar who went 2 for 3 collecting half of the Padres total hits during the 2 hour and 6 minute affair. Salazar played an error free 3B.

But it wasn't over. Luis Salazar got the start at 3B again (later moving to RF) in game 2 of the Sunday afternoon doubleheader...

Game 2
Again the Padres got hammered by the 1st place 'Stros 9-2. They managed a meager 3 runs over the course of the 3 game series continuing their free-fall in the standings. But at least Luis Salazar could hold his head up. Salazar collected 2 hits in 4 trips to the plate against the Astros' Joe Niekro who worked a complete game.

Not a bad debut weekend for Luis Salazar. Who wouldn't want to get their career off to a 4 for 7 start?

We wish Luis the best.

More on the Luis Salazar Situation:[Big League Stew] h/t Gaslamp Ball

Trying to remember the Padres: Game 9 (another pitching duel or a hitter hangover?)

This is a good week for pushing the mind. Today's game 9 occurred precisely 1 day after game 8, the pitchers duel between Mat Latos and Roy Oswalt.

I had said on Monday that this game 9 recap would be finished on Wednesday. Today is Saturday. Where is a flux capacitor when you need one?

For series explanation and previous installments [go here]

GAME 9 of 18
July 3rd, 2010
Padres v. Astros @Petco Park
(Saturday/ Field Pavilion Sec 122)

WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

I absolutely know that this game occurred one day after a really nice pitchers' duel between Mat Latos and Roy Oswalt. Therein lies the problem...

***
I can't recall if this game was a pitchers duel or if it was two average pitchers catching hitters napping from the night before. Maybe it was neither. This game may be similar in that the runs were scored in the bottom of the 8th inning again and then Heath Bell came in for the save. Hmmm....

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I recall this game being a Friarhood event. In front of me sat a family from Boston visiting relatives in San Diego. I may have spent an unusually long period of time trying to convert the youngsters to Padredom. This may have lead to me missing a good amount of action. The amount of game time I missed may have included me a bit surprised in the 5th or 6th inning when I suddenly realized a higher profile Padre was not in the line-up. Did Adrian get the day off?

***
While my seat wasn't bad it was not nearly as good as the seats my in-laws were sitting in. They went to the game with a higher-up from Bank of America and sat behind home plate. Go get a tour of Petco, it's amazing what you get when you have those seats.

Source: Seat envy... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

Padres win 1-0. Kevin Correia pitched 7 strong innings as did Houston starter Bud Norris bu neither factored into the decision. The winning pitcher was Mike Adams (2-1) and Gustavo Chacin got the loss (1-1)

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Heath Bell earned his 23 save after pitching a scoreless 9th inning (2Ks/1 hit).

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The lone run was scored in the 8th inning after Aaron Cunningham (recalled from Portland that day) doubled to LF and Tony Gwynn Jr. attempted to sacrifice him to 3B. TGj's bunt attempt would be successful as he earned an infield single on the play resulting from a rushed throw by Gustavo Chacin. The throwing error allowed TGj to advance to 2B but most importantly it scored Cunningham for the only run of the game.

I probably could have said all of that with 37 less words. Oh well.

***

Adrian Gonzalez did not play in this game. Like I recalled earlier in this post I'm pretty sure that I figured it out in the 5th inning. As a fan... I'm embarrassed.

***
The Padres hit .185 for the game and the Astros went for an even Mendoza Line (.200).

Attendance: 40,042. Now that's a solid effort, San Diego


NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

Another quick game: 2 hours and 32 minutes

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The Padres had five hits in the game by Gwynn, Eckstein, JHairston, Salazar, Cunningham. We are not likely to see any of these guys on the opening day roster although Oscar Salazar or Aaron Cunningham could surprise.

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Lance Berkman went 0-3 with two Ks which is befitting a man of his ugly swing.

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After this game the Padres record improved to 48-33, tied with the Braves for best record in the NL

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Major league leading 12th shutout for the Padres.

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12th win coming in their last AB for the Padres... I think this was leading the majors at the time as well.

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The Padres were on pace for 96 wins after this game. Oh you miserable pace statistics!

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Who did I go to this game with? I'm pretty sure it was my buddy Mark. What say you Mark?

Source: Baseball-Reference and Padres.com


LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

I love seeing games won in final ABs whether it comes from scoring in the bottom of the 8th or via the walk-off. I was fortunate to see back to back shutouts with scoring in the 8th followed up with Heath Bell saves.

***
Was it really a pitchers' duel? I think the bats were more hungover from the previous night than anything else.

***
I suppose I did a decent job of remembering some details in this game but I'm going to chalk it up to a social gathering.

***
Let's review this series next week. Perhaps we'll see how integral I am as a fan to the Padres' success... then I can parlay that utility into some Padre perks.

Trying to remember the 2010 Padres: Game 8 (the pitching heavyweights)

I had a schedule for the "Trying to remember..." series that dictated the completion of two game synopsis per week prior to the start of the 2011 season. Last week I only wrote one. I was busy but even more than that... game 8 needed to be discussed during the same week as game 9.

Why? Same opponent in back to back days... let's FLY!!!

For series explanation and previous installments [go here]

GAME 8 of 18
July 2nd, 2010
Padres v. Astros @Petco Park
(Friday/Field Box Infield 108)

WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

The Padres defeated the Astros in what was a great pitching match-up between Mat Latos and Roy Oswalt. Final score 3-2 or 4-3.

***
I believe Latos got the win after being lifted in the bottom of the 8th for a pinch hitter when the Padres were down by one. They scored 2 runs and took the lead after Tony Gwynn Jr. (?) and David Eckstein (?) helped scrape together a couple runs. Or something like that..;

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Heath Bell entered to get the save in the 9th.

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Both Latos and Oswalt were superb in their efforts.

I am near certain that it was Latos that faced Oswalt. Pretty sure that I already had tickets for the Saturday night game (Friarhood event) which leads me to believe that I told the Mrs. that I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO GO AND see this epic pitching duel. The higher priced ticket I purchased also leads me to believe that I wanted the close up view of potential greatness.

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My buddy Al and I attended this game together.

Source: A desire for an epic pitchers' duel... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

The Padres won 3-0. Latos got the win and improved to 9-4. Latos pitched 8 shutout innings (7K/7BB) giving up 4 hits. In a word he was... ridiculouslyawesomeandoverwhelminglydominant.

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Roy Oswalt was fantastic as well in receiving a no decision that night. Oswalt went 7 shutout innings (7K/2BB) giving up 3 hits. He left the game after 7 innings and a 0-0 tie.

***
So I was wrong about the score which is cool. It's nice to remember a game as a pitchers' duel only to look back and find out it was an even more outstanding performance from each pitcher. Latos would show why he was one of the up and coming young pitchers in the league and Oswalt would show why contenders would be clamoring for his services within a few short weeks.

***

Tony Gwynn Jr. would start the two out rally in the 8th inning with a single to LF. David Eckstein would drive him home with an RBI double for a 1-0 lead and all the runs the Padres would need. For good measure Scott Hairston drove in 2 more runs to hand a comfortable 3-0 lead to Heath Bell who would enter in the 9th.

***
Heath Bell recorded his 22nd save on 13 pitches after striking out 2 Astros.

Attendance: 30,691. Friday night and fourth of July weekend with Latos and Oswalt pitching... still lacking in believers.


NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

This game was recorded in a blistering 2 hours and 17 minutes. Nice.

***
The first three batters in the Padres line-up (Gwynn, Eckstein, Gonzalez) scored the game's only three runs. None of these gentlemen are Padres anymore. Does this mean anything?

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The two Padres pitchers (Latos and Bell) who combined to record a 4 hit shutout with 9 Ks and 0BBs will both be pitching for San Diego in 2011. Does this mean anything?

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The Padres won without stealing a base but it wasn't for a lack of trying... Yorvit Torrealba was gunned down in the 7th after getting on via walk. Yorvit?

Source: Baseball Reference and Padres.com


LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

I love a good pitching contest and I'm glad I got out to see Mat Latos and Roy Oswalt get after it. I think it was 2005 or 2006 when Jake Peavy and Roger Clemens were scheduled to pitch and I didn't make it down to the park to watch it... as you can see, I still think about it. If you're a baseball fan you have to get to games where the pitching heavyweights square off because you never know what you might see.

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David Eckstein is pretty amazing. He has no business coming up so big with such frequency yet he does. I wish he would just sit on the bench and pinch hit for the Padres this year... but for free.

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Might have been my first time seeing Mat Latos pitch in person. He's pretty good.

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Watching a left handed stroke is generally a sweet thing to witness (Ted Williams, Will Clark, Don Mattingly, Tony Gwynn, Josh Hamilton, to name but a few).

Lance Berkman however is the ugliest lefty I have ever seen. His righty stroke is horrible too. I cannot stand watching Lance Berkman play the game of baseball. Lance Berkman is the worst.

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I'll be back on Wednesday from Ground Control for some more Astros.