The Lost Souls
09-08-2004, 02:37 PM
Padres report: Inside pitch
Sept. 7, 2004
Inside pitch (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/SD/7654557) · Roster (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/SD/7654559) · Notes, quotes (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/SD/7654558) ·
The Padres (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/SD) could look back upon the decision to trade No. 5 starter RHP Ismael Valdez to the Marlins on July 31 as one of the worst personnel decisions of the season.
Although Valdez blew hot-and-cold, he had a 9-6 record with the Padres with a 5.53 ERA. And the Padres were 12-8 in his 20 starts.
The Padres are 0-6 since when using their No. 5 starter.
The Padres decided to trade Valdez not only because he was blowing more cold than hot in July, but because LHP Sterling Hitchcock (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/7720) was ready to come off the disabled list for the first time this season.
Padres general manager Kevin Towers was banking on Hitchcock having one of his typical strong finishes. Oops. The Padres were 0-4 when Hitchcock (6.33 ERA) started. And early in his fourth start on Aug. 22, Hitchcock experienced pain and a "gripping" sensation in his four-year-old reconstructed elbow. Not only did Hitchcock go to the disabled list, he officially retired Friday (Sept. 3).
To replace Hitchcock, the Padres called RHP Dennis Tankersley (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/284644) up from Triple-A Portland. In his first tour with the Padres this season, Tankersley had a 3.20 ERA over 26 1/3 innings, raising hope that he had turned the corner on past problems at the top level.
But Tankersley has allowed 11 earned runs, including three homers, over 9 2/3 innings in his first two starts back in the No. 5 slot.
"We're having a tough time in the No. 5 spot," said Padres manager Bruce Bochy. "We're going to have to make an adjustment."
But the options are slim.
The No. 1 pick is probably RHP Justin Germano (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/448929), who was 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA in three starts for the Padres in May. But the Padres are still in the playoff hunt, and Germano just turned 22. Besides the pressure, Germano is with Triple-A Portland, which is in the Pacific Cost League playoffs.
Other options include 2003 first-round pick RHP Tim Stauffer (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/484529) and veteran RHP Andy Ashby (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/7391), who hasn't pitched this season. Ashby, 37, was activated Sunday (Sept. 5), less than 11 months after having elbow reconstruction surgery last Oct. 20. The Padres signed him to a minor league contract at the end of last March.
But Bochy said his plans are to use Ashby only in "non-crucial" situations out of the bullpen the rest of this season.
Copyright (C) 2004 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Sept. 7, 2004
Inside pitch (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/SD/7654557) · Roster (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/SD/7654559) · Notes, quotes (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/SD/7654558) ·
The Padres (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/SD) could look back upon the decision to trade No. 5 starter RHP Ismael Valdez to the Marlins on July 31 as one of the worst personnel decisions of the season.
Although Valdez blew hot-and-cold, he had a 9-6 record with the Padres with a 5.53 ERA. And the Padres were 12-8 in his 20 starts.
The Padres are 0-6 since when using their No. 5 starter.
The Padres decided to trade Valdez not only because he was blowing more cold than hot in July, but because LHP Sterling Hitchcock (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/7720) was ready to come off the disabled list for the first time this season.
Padres general manager Kevin Towers was banking on Hitchcock having one of his typical strong finishes. Oops. The Padres were 0-4 when Hitchcock (6.33 ERA) started. And early in his fourth start on Aug. 22, Hitchcock experienced pain and a "gripping" sensation in his four-year-old reconstructed elbow. Not only did Hitchcock go to the disabled list, he officially retired Friday (Sept. 3).
To replace Hitchcock, the Padres called RHP Dennis Tankersley (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/284644) up from Triple-A Portland. In his first tour with the Padres this season, Tankersley had a 3.20 ERA over 26 1/3 innings, raising hope that he had turned the corner on past problems at the top level.
But Tankersley has allowed 11 earned runs, including three homers, over 9 2/3 innings in his first two starts back in the No. 5 slot.
"We're having a tough time in the No. 5 spot," said Padres manager Bruce Bochy. "We're going to have to make an adjustment."
But the options are slim.
The No. 1 pick is probably RHP Justin Germano (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/448929), who was 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA in three starts for the Padres in May. But the Padres are still in the playoff hunt, and Germano just turned 22. Besides the pressure, Germano is with Triple-A Portland, which is in the Pacific Cost League playoffs.
Other options include 2003 first-round pick RHP Tim Stauffer (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/484529) and veteran RHP Andy Ashby (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/7391), who hasn't pitched this season. Ashby, 37, was activated Sunday (Sept. 5), less than 11 months after having elbow reconstruction surgery last Oct. 20. The Padres signed him to a minor league contract at the end of last March.
But Bochy said his plans are to use Ashby only in "non-crucial" situations out of the bullpen the rest of this season.
Copyright (C) 2004 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.