Padres ChangesOn Friday the Padres officially made some moves in an attempt to stimulate the offense, and regain some defense in specific positions. Jody Gerut was called up from Portland to take over CF duties for Jim Edmonds who was dumped after not performing anywhere near expected. Jody Gerut was the runner up to ROY in the AL a few years ago, and has been battling knee injuries since. He torched the Mexican winter leagues, was blowing up AAA and can play all 3 OF spots.
Shawn Estes was brought up to take over either a bullpen role or the #5 starting role. This was first given to Will Ledezma, however sources are suggesting that Estes is going to see a start this week when that #5 spot in the rotation comes around. Estes is 35, coming off surgery, nobody including him knows how much he's got left in the tank, but prior to his injury last year he was having a great start. Yes 1 start last year before he got hurt.......so don't go too insane that we have a veteran lefty in the #5 spot quite yet. He's hoping to find that groove once again so that he knows he still belongs.
Utility IF/OFer Callix Crabbe was released, after showing a lack of leather while playing in the field. He was showing signs of being able to hit, but bad luck was his copilot and everything he hit hard seemed to be hit right at someone. He was a rule 5 p/u from Milwaukee and was sent down to AAA, and Edgar Gonzalez (Adrian's older brother) was given his dream shot. Edgar was lighting up AAA and is pretty versatile on the IF, as well as being able to run quite well. The Padres are trying to work out a trade with Mil. right now in order to keep Crabbe in Portland.
Luke Carlin was also promoted from Portland, and will see his first big league time during the Maddux start. His promotion was to replace the demotion of Colt Morton who was struggling both on offense and behind the plate. Luke brings a very well rounded solid game as a back up type catcher. It's entirely possible that he'll find his calling in just that capacity, as a career back up player on this team.
As a result, or not, of this roster changes the Padres took 2 of 3 from division rival Colorado in Petco this weekend. After dropping game 1, and blowing another great Jake Peavy start, the team got behind Greg Maddux and delivered win #350 in convincing fashion.
| Game 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |  | R | H | E |
Colorado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | 11 | 0 |
San Diego | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Game 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | | R | H | E |
Colorado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 5 | 0 |
San Diego | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X |
| 3 | 5 | 1 |
Game 3
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | | R | H | E |
Colorado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 5 | 0 |
San Diego | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | X |
| 6 | 11 | 0 |
Play Ball !!!
Well Friar Faithful, I do my best to homer-up or get over emotional, etc........but this season is seriously on the verge of flat lining. This team can't hit, and the bullpen continues to give up leads late in games. Now you can blame the offense all you'd like, but if they get your a lead going into the 7th or 8th, and you can't hold it.......well time to point the finger where it belongs.......squarely on the bullpen !! This weekend the Padres lost 2 of 3 in Seattle, and blew leads in the two losses, one in the 7th when Cla Meredith gave up the game winning HR, and the other in the 8th when Heath Bell couldn't shut the door.
