Game 7: The Running of the Padres

Today the Padres scored 17 runs in the home opener.

The Braves scored 2 runs.

That's a win.

An account of the win? Glad you asked.

Is there a better way to describe the degree to which the floodgates opened in today's thrashing of the Atlanta Braves than the video below (click below to continue reading)?

Eh, the video isn't that great. It would have been better if the music was Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner......so why don't we do that........go ahead and open another tab so you have Avenging Jack Murphy opened twice and then click this link [here].  By clicking said link you will be directed to a video......but we're only going here for the purpose of getting the audio.......once you have clicked play return to the tab opened to Avenging Jack Murphy and play the embedded video above. Now it'll be really cool, giving it an apocalyptic feel similar to the hellfire that rained down on Petco Park today.

I'll keep this brief as I've already spent too much time syncing up Pomplona, Spain and the Mekong Delta:

• We scored 17 runs after struggling mightily over the last few days. This was nice to see. It was noted by Dick/Mud/Tony Sr. that the Padres looked as though they were taking an entirely different approach at the plate, hence the success. Perhaps. Is it also a possibility that Jair Jurrjens and Jo-Jo Reyes were ineffectively wild? It's easy to lay off when a pitcher is missing the zone in a real bad way, as were both of those Braves hurlers. Either way, you have to give credit to the Padres hitters because they took full advantage of their opportunities.
• Kevin Correia looked great. I'm sure it was difficult to get in a rhythm with the bottom of the innings lasting so long. He got the win and I was happy to see a hometown guy get the honor of starting the opener.

• The talk of today's game will be of the near-cycles hit by both Will Venable and Kyle Blanks so let's just get it on the record for posterity: after 40 years of cycle futility we will see one hit this season. My money is on Venable but I have no doubt that Everth Cabrera and Kyle Blanks both have it in them as well.
• Still loving the work that Chase Headley is doing (2 for 4 with a 2B and no Ks). Good stuff.
• Will Venable is heating up and turning into the RBI guy. 
• Everth Cabrera is struggling. Let us not forget, he's still young.
• I wish I could say more about Braves phenom Jayson Heyward......but that game was about San Diego all afternoon long.
• The Padres are 3-4.

A comment: Why weren't fans standing when Venable came to the plate with his first opportunity at the cycle? Pretty weak. Or was I just getting a bad angle on the TV? You tell me...

[EDITOR'S NOTE 10:45 AM]
***Friend of the Blog, Matthew, astutely points out that the 17 runs scored by the Padres were in fact ordained by Providence when it was decided that Philip Rivers (#17) would throw out the first pitch. Avenging Jack Murphy knew this detail but excluded it from the game recap on account of being a lollygagger and general shirker of duties. Cheers Matt.

Corey Brock [padres.com]
[Box Score]

Game 3: Padres Drop Series to D-backs...Hey it's early!

What's there to say?

Since the opponent was Arizona it was incumbent upon former Diamondback, Scott Hairston, to hit a 3-run HR. MASHING; it's just what he does against his former employer. Alas, it was the Arizona club that hit 3 HRs, propelling them to a 5-3 victory over our Padres.

SP Kevin Correia gave up his 3rd blast of the game to start off the 7th, against Chris Young which broke up a 3-3 tie. Prior to the pitch that Young smashed to left-center, Mud Grant made an astute piece of commentary (and I'm probably paraphrasing):

"So it's the 6th inning and Kevin is beginning to tire so it's critical that he LOCATE (emphasis mine) his pitches, or he'll be in serious trouble!"

Mr. Correia did not not LOCATE his next pitch and it may still be flying as I type and you read. This is a difficult one......why even throw a strike to Chris Young? The dude has a giant hole in his bat. He crushes meat balls and misses everything else. So, the question: is this the Kevin Correia of 2009 or the one that existed prior to the year he got himself a big raise? Hey it's early!

Hey it's early will be the phrase we use for the next three weeks or so. It will be unusable after April 28th.

• We had 1 hit against an AZ bullpen that worked 4 innings. Hey it's early!

• David Eckstein is hitting a scrappy .125. Hey it's early!

• Kyle Blanks struck out four times last night. Hey it's early!

• Sean Gallagher had a nice pick off at first! Hey its early (uttered by AZ fans)!

Memo to Kyle Blanks: Sombreros (gold, silver, platinum, etc) are unbecoming on you. Take it off!!!

My overall assessment of a series loss in Phoenix.......Hey it's early!

[BOX SCORE]
It is Thursday.....our day of rest. Next up: Colorado Rockies.