NewsFriars unsure how they'll use Gwynn
San Diego (20-22) vs. Chicago (21-19), 7:05 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
05/23/09 1:19 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- In his first game with the Padres, actually just hours after arriving at PETCO Park, Tony Gwynn Jr. took an important walk in the ninth inning against the Giants and eventually scored the game-winning run in the Padres' 3-2 victory over San Francisco.On Friday, in his second game, Gwynn started in center field, walked, doubled and scored two runs as the Padres defeated the Cubs in the first game of a three-game series, 4-0.
What will Gwynn do on Saturday? Will he even be in the starting lineup?
Manaager Bud Black said he is still trying to figure out when and how often he'll run Gwynn out to center field and have him in the starting lineup.
"Let's get Tony out there and get him acclimated first," Black said prior to Friday's victory over the Cubs. "It's a good matchup for Tony."
Gwynn is one of five outfielders on the roster. He's expected to get the at-bats that the player he was traded for, Jody Gerut, got, which was mostly starts against right-handed pitchers.
The Padres face a right-handed pitcher on Saturday in the Cubs' Randy Wells, who replaces Rich Harden, who went on the DL with a back injury before the game.
"We have a number of outfielders who will all get playing time," Black said.
Pitching matchup
SD: RHP Josh Geer (0-1, 5.61 ERA)
Geer struggled in his last start against the Reds on May 16, allowing five runs in 5 2/3 innings in a game the Padres would eventually win in 16 innings after the bullpen came through with 10 1/3 scoreless innings. Geer had trouble with the long ball again, as he allowed a pair of two-run home runs, one to Lance Nix and another to Jay Bruce. Geer has now allowed seven home runs in five starts this season since being recalled from Triple-A Portland in April. Geer, as always, had a lot of movement on his pitches but wasn't always able to avoid leaving pitches up in the strike zone.
Wells will get the start for an injured Rich Harden on Saturday. Wells hasn't allowed a run in two outings this season over 11 innings. He tossed six scoreless innings against the Astros on May 16. He would likely have headed back to the Minor Leagues on Friday when Carlos Zambrano was activated from the disabled list but was pressed into duty when Harden went on the DL.
Tidbits
Cliff Floyd, playing with Class A Lake Elsinore on an injury rehab assignment, went 0-for-3 in a game Thursday. Floyd (right knee) was to serve as the designated hitter again on Friday, which is a bit of a change in the original plan for him to DH one day and pinch-hit the next. ... The Padres will make a decision on pitcher Walter Silva some time in the near future. Silva (strained right forearm) has appeared in four games with Triple-A Portland, posting a 4.67 ERA. He allowed three runs in six innings with seven strikeouts on Thursday. ... Rookie shortstop Everth Cabrera (broken hamate bone in his left hand) started taking batting practice on Thursday and did so again on Friday, but the switch-hitter only did so left-handed. The hand still bothers him when he tries to hit right-handed. ... Pitcher Shawn Hill (inflammation of the right elbow) will throw off the mound for the first time this weekend since he went on the disabled list on April 26.
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• Sunday: Padres (Chris Young, 3-2, 5.07) vs. Cubs (Ted Lilly, 5-3, 3.35), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Padres (Chad Gaudin, 1-3, 4.18) at Diamondbacks (Doug Davis, 2-6, 3.95), 12:40 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Padres (TBD) at Diamondbacks (TBD), 6:40 p.m. PT
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
