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“Padres-As the World Turns”

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Ripping pages out of my baseball notebook.

PADRES..

Clayton Richard…on the brink of possibly being demoted, for having just 3-wins in 18-starts dating back to last year, he rallies for two pretty good starts, and finally a win, the 10-striekout Sunday victory over the Cardinals. It looks from press row, as if he is changing his slot rotation, from pure sidearm to more three quarter. Will see if he can continue to string good outing together. Over his last 15-innings, 3-runs allowed, and 18-strikeouts.

Chase Headley…The Padres are eating the 13M contract, and will release him this week. Unable to get on the field, because the team needed to find out about 3B-Chris Villanueva, Headley never found his rhythm. He hit (.115) for the season, though (.411) as a pinch hitter. He will be picked up in the next month by someone in need of a two position player, at a very affordable price, for San Diego will pay the rest. He leaves disappointed he didn’t do more, doesn’t leave angry, and will wait a phone call to see where he goes next. He does not believe he is done at age 34.

Christian Villanueva…All-April, nothing in May and now questions everywhere. 9-homers, and (.345) batting average was impressive out of the gate. Since then, an (0-36) pothole and some shaky defensive play in the field. The Padres still don’t know what they have.

Team Bad Elbow….it’s everywhere. Hunter Renfroe on the DL…Austin Hedges on the DL…Wil Myers on the DL….all with elbow issues, all related to swinging the bat. Questions for new hitting coach Matt Stairs, who may be asking too much from these hitters. Too much weightlifting, too much batting practice, too many changes in how they hold the bat. Somebody needs to check all this out. That and the strikeouts continue, continue and continue.

Adam Cimber….This has been a surprise, going out of nowhere to pitch so well, and so much out of the Padres bullpen.

Robbie Erlin…A strong comeback after missing 16-months with elbow surgery. Solid innings, a few shaky outings, and the hope they manage his innings out of the bullpen going forward at least this year.

Freddy Galvis….I guess I ask the question how could the Phillies let this guy get away. What a strong glove at shortstop, what an amazing amount of ground he covers. What quickness. Not hitting for any power like he did in Philly, but he plays everyday.

Manny Margot…Time for him to rally back from a tough 7-weeks, not playing as well as a year ago, with a sub .200-batting average up till this week.

Carlos Asuaje…Ditto for him. The guy that was in the .280s for much of last year, is in the .190s this year, and now is in a rotation at 2nd base. They need him to be what he was last year.

Franmill Reyes….Here comes the next young one…The El Paso power hitter (.346-14HR) reportedly to be called up from the minors…not what I’d call open tryouts, just kids doing well in the minors, to get a cameo-look see….Not even Mid-May and auditions for next year beginning.

San Diego….A (16-26) record, not something I thought they would give us out of the gate, and a long way to go.

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