The Australian Cavalry

Left-handed pitcher Josh Spence has been called up from San Antonio to try and even out the Padres bullpen a bit. With Spence the Padres now have eleven right-handed pitchers at their disposal, including starters, and three left-handed pitchers. In an interview with Channel 4’s Jenny Cavner Spence said he was going to take vegemite out to the bullpen with him, and Buddy joked that he liked his accent. “He has a good head on his shoulders,” Black said. “He knows the game well, he has en efficient change-up, a good pick-off, he’s pitched well in Double A and we have a need for a left-handed pitcher.”

Before being called up to the Big Leagues Spence was 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA in 35 games (47.1 innings).

Spence was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 25^th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft, the ANA in the 3^rd round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft and the San Diego Padres in the 9^th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Spence is not scheduled for any starts this homestand and is not listed as a reliever but is an active player on the 40-man roster. 

Headley's Hurt

Chase Headley did not start today due to aggravating his right shoulder during Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Buddy Black said that his shoulder acted up in his last AB and he simply had not recovered enough in the off day to start today. The Padres are going to take it day by day but he is out of the lineup today.

Rizzomania!

New Padre Anthony Rizzo

21-year old Anthony Rizzo has made his way through the Padres tunnel for the first time and there were four television cameras there to watch him do it. If Rizzo thought his time to shine was not going to come until the first pitch, he thought wrong. But Rizzo handled the cameras that became his shadow like a 21^st year veteran as opposed to the first day rookie he actually is. Even the ribbing from teammates could not faze his calm persona.

“Hey Rizzo,” teammate Orlando Hudson called from the dugout while Rizzo was taking fielding practice at first base. “Baby they got all the cameras on you! When you move they move baby! After nine years you get over that, they don’t care about you after that!”

Rizzo just acknowledged Hudson’s teasing, his grin a mixture of gladness at being accepted as one of the guys but uncertainty at the heart behind the teasing. With Anthony Rizzo being listed in black and white on the starting roster, the game will decide if the kid if worth the hype.

Astros leave defeated! Padres take the series!

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2011/06/06/astros-leave-san-diego-with-3-game-losing-streak/

Padres Take Game 3

Game day coverage of game three on CBS Houston! Check it out!
http://houston.cbslocal.com/2011/06/05/astros-suffer-game-3-collapse-against-padres/

Don't Get Too Comfortable

Aaron Cunningham

Aaron Cunningham, Logan Forsythe, Blake Tekotte: three players who have seen the field for the San Diego Padres in recent games, but may not be here to stay. With Nick Hundley sent down to Triple A Tucson for the game in Las Vegas tonight, fluidity seems to be the theme of the Padres’ dugout. There are not many times in a sport, whether it be baseball, football, or basketball when you see players playing multiple positions at the professional level. The Padres have a plethora of athletes known for their versatility: the more versatile you are, the more valuable you may be. Jorge Cantu has been known to play first, third and shortstop. Kyle Phillips has used a catcher’s glove and a first baseman’s glove. But no one on the Padres’ bench should get comfortable.

“Once you’re here,” manager Bud Black said. “It doesn’t mean you’ll stay. You have to be a day in and day out player.”

Cunningham is the most recent newbie to be brought up and it is not his first time at the rodeo. Last year when he was brought up to the majors he had a .288 batting average from 132 at bats.

“He plays good defense,” Black said of Cunningham. “He’s a good runner and a line drive hitter with a lot of power.”

In Cunningham’s first start for the Padres last year he hit a grand slam over the center field wall off Blue Jays’ Brett Cecil. But even with a start as stellar as that, Cunningham did not stay on the Padres’ starting squad, or even 40-man roster for the entire 2010 season. Will he be able to stay long enough to unpack his bag this time? Stay tuned!

Astros-Padres Game 2

Game coverage of the second game of the San Diego Padres and Houston Astros series on CBS Houston!
http://houston.cbslocal.com/2011/06/04/astros-happ-lose-game-2-to-padres/

Headley Hits Away

Last night’s defeat to the Astros also brought Chase Headley the 12^th game of his consecutive hitting streak. Headley’s single to left field in the second off Bud Norris made his streak the longest Padres’ streak. And his 50 hits on the season is second only to Ryan Ludwick’s 52.

“His daily approach is consistent,” Black said from his perch in the dugout during the news conference. “He’s a tad more aggressive in the beginning of the count.”

At this point Black was interrupted by Mudcat Grant, Channel 4’s color commentator, who has emphasized several times throughout the season the full count Headley often seems to reach. “I’m going to buy Chase a shirt that says ‘CFC’ Count Full Count.”

With a shake of his head, Buddy continued, “He’s always taken a lot of pitches. In Little League he was taking a lot of pitches, in t-ball he was taking a lot of pitches.”

Injury Update

Catcher Nick Hundley took batting practice on the field at home for the first time since being placed on the DL on May 6^th. With a strained right oblique and antsy Hundley, that small bit of progress was extremely significant. Manager Bud Black said that Hundley will probably be in the lineup tomorrow at Triple A Tucson. After a month of consecutive missed games, a player’s endurance could be called into question. But not with Hundley.

“He has good actions,” said Black. “He has good arm strength, good rhythm, he’s a good worker. He’s a hard worker.”

Center fielder Cameron Maybin is also on the DL with knee inflammation, although there is no structural damage. Orlando Hudson caps off the list of starters on the DL with an injured groin.

Astros Take Game 1 From Padres

Check out the game story on CBS Houston!

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2011/06/03/astros-take-game-1-from-padres/