Trying to remember the 2010 Padres: Game 4 (the rehab assignment)

You have entered a site engaged in a highly complex experiment... an experiment designed to test the parameters of my mind....and my mind is becoming stronger with each exercise. All of my neurons are functioning smoothly...

If you were at any of these games of which I speak or remember watching them to an Enberg/Grant soundtrack then I suggest you test yourself too. There are a number of ways to can do this. Begin by closing your eyes. Then grit your teeth. Now think. When you're finished start reading. I'm going for a glass of water.

For further series explanation [go here]

GAME 4 of 18
May 6th, 2010
Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) v. Inland Empire 66ers (Dodgers) @ The Diamond in Lake Elsinore, Ca.

WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

Of my first four games in 2010 two of them were at Lake Elsinore. This was also my last Storm (Padres) game and as such I have little difficulty recalling the details.

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I went to this game with Friarhood Steve and Cheri Bell. Once there we met up with Peter Friberg and a friend met through Twitter named Chris (aka @Sportsbrain). Going to games with particular people and meeting others there helps to frame a game, gives it those peripheral details needed to bring the picture into focus.

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You know what else helps to frame a game? A promotion like Thirsty Thursday where beers are sold for a buck until the 7th inning. I love minor league promotions.

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Minor league baseball games have another great feature; the rehabilitation assignment. And it was on this Thirsty Thursday in early May when the Storm faced the 66ers that fans were treated to an appearance by Manny Ramirez. Heckling is so appealing.

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The Diamond was loaded with Dodger fans which was actually pretty cool; they got to witness firsthand a strikeout and a base running blunder from their fading star... and a loss.

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The Storm won in what was a close game until a late inning explosion by the Storm.

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Nick Schmidt (2007 1st round pick) started again but did not figure into the decision. I don't remember the exact score but I'm pretty sure the 8th inning lasted an 1:45. No joke.

Source: Extra helpings of blueberries... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

The Storm's Nick Schmidt threw 6 innings. He gave up 3 runs (2 ER) while striking out 4 and walking 4. Tough to get a win that way.

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The Storm defeated the 66ers 11-7  by pounding away on IE with 13 hits. After overcoming a 7-3 deficit in the 8th by scoring 8 runs things got dicey in the top of the 9th.

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Closer Brad Brach came on in the 9th to get the last out and the save.

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Pitcher Zachary Herr got the win after a fortuitous entry in the top of the 8th. No evidence exists to support the idea that he is the offspring of the old Cardinals' 2nd baseman, Tommy Herr.

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Beer concession figures were unavailable.

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Attendance--3,833

NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

Brad Brach earned the save and would go on to set the California League record with 41 saves in 2010. Brach was a 42nd round draft pick out of Monmouth University by the Padres in 2008.


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Third basemen Vincent Belnome went 2 for 2 with 3 walks, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Belnome was a 28th round draft pick out of West Virginia University in 2009.


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Catcher Michael Collins went 3 for 5 including a double and an RBI. Collins is from Australia.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

So, what is it that I take from my two games of minor league ball? Pretty simple really. A team like the Storm is a conduit for 1st rounders to one day (hopefully) make their way to San Diego. These top picks came with accolades but most importantly they arrived with projections. For 1st round picks it's the projections that matter; they procure the big time bonus checks that secure a future while they toil away in the Cal, Texas, and Pacific Coast leagues.

Not all are as fortunate. The Notable Omissions I mentioned above (Brach, Belnome, and Collins), were acquired by the Padres for a specific but entirely different type of purpose; they're needed to fill out a roster so the 1st rounders can play and develop*. They are not projected to be the future in San Diego.

But during the time I watched the Storm play during 2010 these Notable Omissions were the stars.

***
 Go see some minor league ball because you never know who'll end up in San Diego one day. I got dibs on the discovery of Vincent Belnome!

Source: Lake Elsinore Storm website

*I recently finished The Bullpen Gospels by Dirk Hayhurst so I may have just borrowed his phrasing on the subject.

Trying to remember the 2010 Padres: Game 2 (quashing rebellions)

You have entered a site engaged in a highly complex experiment... an experiment designed to test the parameters of my mind. These are my memories of Padres games attended during the 2010 season.

The nature of these posts (being my own game experiences) may be of zero interest to you; therefore I understand any antipathy towards them.

However, if you were at any of these games or remember watching them on the tube then join the wake and eulogize/comment with some memories. For further explanation [go here]

GAME 2 of 18
April 25th, 2010
Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) v. High Desert Mavericks (A's ???) @ The Diamond in Lake Elsinore, Ca.

 WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

Again, kind of easy to remember, as it was my first trip to Lake Elsinore to see the Padres High A team play. There were a few interesting wrinkles to this game that made it memorable...

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This was a Sunday game scheduled as a double header due to a rain out a few days prior. In a quirky "this-is-minor-league-baseball" sort of thing, each game was scheduled to go 7 innings. The Storm lost each game but I only stayed for one.

***

By "I", I mean "We". 

I took one of the daughters to this game and it was only her second baseball game ever attended (the first being back in 2008 against the Twins at Petco). I was able to corral her into a seat until the 4th inning at which time an insurrection began.

Hot dogs and pretzels can contain tiny ones for only so long; thankfully The Diamond has a grass area down the RF line where the rebellions of children can be quelled. It's a great venue to catch a game with family.

***
First round draft picks, Nick Schmidt (2007) and Allan Dykstra (2008), were in action during this game. Neither was impressive. Dykstra however was impressive in that he looked like Jim Thome... his physique and swing... not the results it produced. Schmidt, a left hander, got the loss.

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For the Storm, Vince Belnome homered as did Yefri Carvajal.

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Storm Manager Carlos Lezcano was bounced late in the game on a bad call at 2B. It was AWESOME! He bounced his helmet off the turf about 20 feet into the air.

Source: My Beautiful Mind... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

The Storm lost to High Desert 4-2 in 7 innings. I did not stay for game 2 but it was also a loss for the Storm (10-2).

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I was correct about the HRs from Vince Belnome and Yefri Carvajal.

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Schmidt went 5 innings (4 runs/3 earned), struck out 4 and walked 3. Schmidt got the loss.


NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

The Mavericks are actually the High A team for the Seattle Mariners. Having said that, I can now recall my thoughts at the time... this is wear the seeds are sown for the most heated inter-league rivalry in MLB... The San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners. Blood feuds start early. Not sure if I explained this to the daughter.

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Daniel Robertson had a couple of knocks (2 for 3)

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Allan Dykstra went 1 for 3 boosting his average to .196 for the young season. Ouch!

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Cole Figueroa started at SS for the Storm. Figueroa was a part of the recent Jason Bartlett trade. Bartlett, as a former Padre property, played for the Storm back in 2002. So in that sense... I feel like I saw Bartlett play in this game... in a 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon kind of way.

Sources: LE Storm website

Join me... at least 16 more times.

Lake Elsinore:reveling in some Manny Ramirez fail

I had a chance to go up to Lake Elsinore with Steve from the Friarhood to see the Storm play the Inland Empire 66ers (Dodgers High A) last Thursday night. While there we met up with Peter from the Padres Run Down. This game had two huge attractions:

1. Thirsty Thursday.......$1 beers until the 6th inning.
2. Heckle Fest........Manny Ramirez was doing a rehab assignment with the 66ers which could only lead to good fun.

Manny hit lead-off for the 66ers so as to maximize at-bats. He started by seeing four balls outside the zone from Storm pitcher and 2007 1st round draft pick, Nick Schmidt. Kind of weak. If I was going up against a "Manny type" on a rehab assignment, I'd have attacked him.....of course that's just me*.

Manny then made his way to second after another walk and then Schmidt quickly found himself looking death squarely in the eyes against the 66ers number three hitter**. Luckily for Schmidt the line-drive up the box deadened his non throwing fore-arm and not his face. A slight ricochet left Schmidt with time to gather the loose ball and spin to first to get the force......of course that wasn't the correct play. In Schmidt's stupor he failed to recognize that Manny Ramirez is horrible on the base paths and looked more like a flailing marionette hung up between second and third. Alas, Schmidt missed his opportunity to get the force at third......but as Schmidt wheeled to 1st, Manny made his mad dash to 3rd.
[Enter Allan Dykstra]
The Padres 2008 1st round pick announced his presence with authority......by air mailing the throw over Storm third baseman, Vince Belnome's, head. Ahhhh, to watch High-A ball up close. Those youngsters! Manny ultimately came around to score on the errant throw and I found myself chuckling about Ramirez' base running; that's just "Manny being Manny"(lol)***
[click "Read More" to continue]

Manny later came to bat in the 4th inning, in what would be his final appearance of the night (I think it was the 4th.....c'mon, it was Thirsty Thursday!). There were a chorus of boos. He struck out. There were a chorus of cheers. It was great. Seeing a disappointed sea of royal blue trolley-Dodger fans was.....as Mudcat Grant would say......"some kind of nice!". I tipped my cap and said have a nice drive home.....PADRES ARE IN 1st PLACE!!!****

Quick Notes:

• Nick Schmidt was ok after being hit by the line-drive. It didn't sound good and he fell in a heap after being struck but he did bounce back. On the whole he didn't look that great. 
• The Storm were losing 7-3 in the 8th but decided to go bat-sh*t-crazy and hang an 8 spot during the bottom half of the inning. The final score: 11-7. Traveling for wins is a nice thing for this fan. 
• Allan Dykstra is an ogre. I commented that he looks like Jim Thome. The collective response: "He sure doesn't hit like Jim Thome." 
• Storm third baseman, Vince Belnome was 2-2 with 3 walks. That's a good night. He hit a HR in the last Storm game I went to. Belnome is the guy I'm watching. 
• I also have some cool pictures from the game. They actually aren't that cool. They just verify that it was actually Manny playing....or do they....the player's name is obscured by a glut of nappy dreadlocks. I'll load 'em tonight.

*I am a fan/blogger
** I can't tell you who it was. It was too difficult to deal with Thirsty Thursday and score the game so you'll have to live in suspense of which future Dodger star/flame-out it may have been.
*** Facetious...f*ck that Manny being Manny crap.
****I didn't say any of that. It was more of an inner-monologue. I was hesitant to get too obnoxious as the Thirsty Thursday promotion itself probably would have been reason enough for me to get ejected if I had exceeded a certain decibel level. Also worth noting; I didn't want to offend prospective members of the Friarhood as well as the gracious hosts who shuttled me up the I15 that night.

Padres Win Streak Ends; We go To Lake Elsinore to See The Storm

The Padres lost yesterday but took the series....on the road in Cincinnati. Can't really argue with that result although perhaps the strongest part of our team (the bullpen) coughed up what could have been a road sweep. Can't win 'em all.

I didn't get to watch the game but instead tried to experience it via MLB.com's "Game Day" tracker as well as communications through Twitter and the Gaslamp Ball open thread. The Game Day tracker is NO substitute for watching on television. I wasn't trying to be experimental; just forced to get some work done in an undisclosed location that lacked access to Channel 4. I did not get work done.... but I did make an observation or two. Proceed...

• Clayton Richard needs to start working on economy with his pitch count in a bad way. In the 5th inning he threw 8 pitches to the final batter he faced coupled with 9 pick-off attempts to 1B....all in the course of ONE BATTER! He was working way too hard. He got out of the jam but finished the inning with about 90 pitches. I figured he was done. Bud ran him out there for the 6th though and he promptly gave up the gopher ball to Scott Rolen. Richard ended up leaving the game with a chance to get the win after surrendering 3 runs. (click "Read More" to continue)

• Now I rant about bullet point #1. C'mon Bud!? Clayton Richard was done. Go right to the bullpen to start the 6th inning. Look, there's no bigger proponent of getting your starting pitcher through at least 7 innings than me.....heck, mix in a complete game every once in a while and conserve that valuable bullpen. I just thought it was the wrong move at the time and then Scott Rolen ran around the bases.
• A lot of people are saying that the Padres are playing over their heads right now and they are in some respects. However I think that we would be remiss not to mention that their collective hitting has been underwhelming thus far. Headley and Gonzalez have been great and Venable has been timely here and there but for the most part guys have been hitting below (I believe) their capabilities.
• So yea......they're in first place. No complaints really. Fun stuff.

So I finished listening to the game on the drive up to Lake Elsinore yesterday. The Diamond in Lake Elsinore is cool little place to see a game. Very intimate. You feel like you're right there, on top of the field, plus you get to see the Padres of the future play. You feel very invested. Some observations:

• Talk about a DEAL !!! A doubleheader for under $10 bucks!
• 2007 1st round pick Nick Schmidt didn't look that sharp. He really only had one rough inning (yielded a hit parade) but on the whole, I wasn't impressed.
• Farmer John hot dogs are an encased meat product of the highest order.
• 2008 1st round pick Alan Dykstra didn't look that sharp either although he did have one hit. I can't say I expected too much though, considering his current ranking among Padres prospects.
• What you save on a cheap, $9 buck seat, you'll more than likely give back in the souvenir shop. A hat with the eyes of a storm on it? That's an easy sell!

• Kids named Vince Belnome and Yefri Carvajal hit HRs. They were bombs.
• When your 3 year old gets tired of her seat and insists on moving to an area that gives free reign to kids hopped up on sugar, you have the opportunity to do it. Down the RF line there's a great grass area to sit and play (pssst....you can also walk right up to the opposition's bullpen and get in the ear of the relievers.....I didn't do it but I'm just sayin', you could.....all friendly bantering of course; they're just kids, for Pete's sake!).

Your Padres and Mariners of the future...and some little kid

• There was a kid named Denny Almonte who played for the High Desert Mavericks. A few years back when the Oceanside Little League played in the WS didn't they get beat by a a Bronx team that eventually forfeited because of an illegally aged player......named DANNY Almonte? Maybe I'll research it.....
• Manager Carlos Lezcano got tossed in the 6th inning of game 1 on a bad call at 2B. Lezcano also coaches 3B so when he arrived to argue he was wearing a protective batter's helmet. Part of his theatrics while getting tossed included him bouncing his helmet of of the turf......take a look at the picture......pretty good distance, huh (it's the black speck behind the mound)?

• Playing against the High Desert Mavericks is a great way to properly cultivate hatred for the Seattle Mariners, our vaunted and loathed inter-league rival. The Dodgers get the Angels and the Yankees get the Mets but the hatred there is nothing compared to Padres versus Mariners each summer! What, you ask? Very little negativity towards the Mariners? Well then, I say.......get yourself up north to catch some High A minor league baseball.....a place where you can properly develop your Mariner loathing each time High Desert visits.
• Bummer. The Storm lost the 7 inning affair 4-2.

• Go there. It is fun.