A Chance to Take a Series...

With one swing of Chris Denorfia's bat, a 1-4 start, turned into a chance to take a series from a team many believe will repeat as division champs.  This is how quickly the fortunes of baseball can change.  Now please, don't misunderstand me, I'm not proclaiming this one game as the possible start of something huge, but you have to start somewhere right?  Confidence reigns supreme in this game built on failure (consider the best hitters fail 7 of every ten at bats).  Not that it's been lacking, but a positive result here and there against a good team and a quality pitcher can go a long way.  


Anthony Bass will make his first start of the season, and the 4th of his Major League career.  Last year in 3 starts, he was 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA.  All his starts lasted exactly 5 innings.  He'll take the spot previously occupied by Dustin Moseley.  



Ian Kennedy won 21 games a year ago for Arizona.  He finished fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting last season and finished with a 2.88 ERA in 33 starts with 198 strikeouts in 222 innings. Kennedy has fared quite well against the Padres, he is 5-0, with a 2.01 ERA in his career against them, including 3-0 in 3 starts in 2011.  The Padres are hitting .117 (7-for-60) against Kennedy at Petco Park.


Lineup tonight: (Leitner and Scanlan, 7pm XX 1090)
                                                            (v. Kennedy)
CF - Cameron Maybin                        .333 (2x6)
RF - Will Venable                                .190 (4x21)
3B - Chase Headley                            .200 (2x10)
LF - Jesus Guzman                              .250 (1x4)
1B - Yonder Alonso         
 C - Nick Hundley                                 .308 (4x13)
2B - Orlando Hudson                           .143 (1x7, HR)
SS - Jason Bartlett                                .286 (4x14)
SP - Anthony Bass


Other news/notes:


* Bud Black made it official today, announcing that Joe Wieland will start for the Padres at Dodger Stadium Saturday.  It will be his major league debut.  Wieland impressed in the Spring despite an 0-2 record and a 5.83 ERA.  He made 3 starts and appeared in 5 games.  The organization loves his arm, and his delivery.  Wieland has four quality pitches and has command of them.  Black pointed out that he liked Wieland's composure on the mound and his ability to throw strikes. 


* Carlos Quentin is close to taking BP on the field.  He will not travel with the team to Los Angeles, instead will stay in San Diego and work some more.  He'll get treatment and take live hitting on the field while the team is gone. 


* Mark Kotsay had four at-bats with Lake Elsinore last night, and said he felt great.  The team will make a decision on whether or not he'll need more rehab or if he'll join the team.  Kotsay is eligible to come off the DL Monday.  


Rants:


Ok, I've had enough of the "inspirational quotes" on Twitter.  I don't know why, but they bug me. I get the intent, and thank you for trying to cheer me up, or make me work harder, or put more thought into things, it's sweet of you, but I'm good, ok?   So now I'm going to start giving you some of my "words to live by" from time to time...

"Remember, no matter where you go....there you are" 

I'll leave you with that....


Andy