News
Geer out to solve issue of gopheritis
San Diego (31-38) at Seattle (35-35), 7:10 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
06/24/09 1:41 AM ET
SEATTLE -- Josh Geer, who gets the start on Wednesday for the Padres, has had an issue this season with allowing home runs, though he might be able to find solace in that his start comes against a Seattle team that ranks 11th in the American League in home runs.
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Geer has allowed a team-high 16 home runs this season in 62 2/3 innings. It's four more home runs than Chris Young -- who is on the disabled list and has thrown nearly 13 more innings -- has allowed.
In his last start against the Mariners, Geer was hurt by two solo home runs off the bat of Franklin Gutierrez, one in the fourth inning and another in the sixth inning of a game the Padres won in 10 innings, 4-3.
All told, Geer allowed three runs in six innings and didn't walk a batter. The game was a clear upgrade from his previous start on June 13 in Anaheim where he allowed four home runs.
"Yeah, compared to my last outing, it went well," Geer said after his last start. "I made probably about two or three bad pitches today -- the fastball that ran back over the plate to Gutierrez, and the slider [that] backed up on me, [the second home run to Gutierrez].
"Other than that, I felt really good. ... The guys played good defense behind me, and we were able to come back and finish it up right."
This is all part of the learning curve for Geer, who impressed in a September stint last season, posting a 2.67 ERA.
' "He's still growing as a pitcher," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He has less than 100 innings in the Major Leagues. He's learning each and every time out what he has to do."
Pitching matchupSD: RHP Josh Geer (1-2, 5.98 ERA)
Geer tossed six innings, allowing three runs (two homers) on six hits, in his last start Thursday for an Interleague win against the Mariners. The no-decision was an upgrade over his last start where Geer allowed four home runs in a loss to the Angels. Geer is a guy who doesn't walk many and gives up his share of hits. He has been hurt up in the strike zone but did a better job keeping the ball down against Seattle. SEA: RHP Brandon Morrow (0-3, 5.68 ERA)
The right-hander's conversion from reliever to starter took a step in the right direction against the Padres. After surrendering two runs in the first inning, Morrow tossed three scoreless innings, retiring six of the final seven batters he faced. His only walk was issued to the opposing pitcher and marked the second consecutive outing that Morrow walked the pitcher. Tidbits
San Diego rookie pitcher Luke Gregerson, on the disabled list since June 16 (retroactive to June 8) with a strained right shoulder, has started playing catch but isn't ready to throw off a mound. "He's playing catch. We're going to increase the volume and intensity," Black said. ... Black also indicated the catcher Nick Hundley, on the DL since June 19 (retro to June 18) with a sprained left wrist will likely be ready to be activated when his 15-day DL stint is over. ... Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff doubled in the second inning on Tuesday. He's has now hit safely in 29 of 35 career Interleague games. ... Center fielder Scott Hairston, who missed 16 games on the DL with a strained left biceps, was activated on Tuesday and singled sharply to left field in his second at-bat in the third inning. ... San Antonio infielder Lance Zawadzki was named the Texas League Player of the Week for the week ending June 21. He had six hits in one game. Tickets
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• XPRS 1090, XEMO 860 (Español) Up next
• Thursday: Padres (Wade LeBlanc, 0-0, 9.00) at Mariners (Jarrod Washburn, 3-5, 3.24), 1:40 p.m. PT
• Friday: Padres (Walter Silva, 0-0, 6.00) at Rangers (Derek Holland, 1-4, 5.77), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Padres (Kevin Correia, 4-5, 4.26) at Rangers (TBD), 5:05 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.
