NewsLeBlanc looks to change tune for Padres
San Diego (31-39) at Seattle (36-35), 1:40 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
06/25/09 2:17 AM ET
SEATTLE -- The sample-size isn't great, but then neither have been the results when San Diego left-handed pitcher Wade LeBlanc has made a start for the Padres.
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LeBlanc, who gets the start on Thursday in the series finale against the Mariners at Safeco Field, is 1-3 with a 8.14 ERA in six career games, including five starts, dating back to last season.
The Padres need to see an improved outing from LeBlanc on Thursday, especially after he allowed three runs in three innings with two walks and a hit batter in a no-decision against Oakland on June 19.
"I just saw signs of control and command leaving him," San Diego manager Bud Black said after that start. "He just couldn't get the balls in the strike zone as consistently as he wanted."
In his 24 1/3 career innings with the Padres, LeBlanc has allowed 22 runs and 17 walks. Opponents are hitting .323 against him.
The Padres recalled LeBlanc from Triple-A Portland last week when starting pitcher Chris Young went on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder.
LeBlanc was 1-4 with a 4.08 ERA with Triple-A Portland this season but had been pitching better in June when he posted a 1.29 ERA in two starts, going 1-1 with one walk in 14 innings.
In that game against Oakland last week, LeBlanc was replaced by Josh Banks, who tossed three scoreless innings. Banks hasn't pitched since then, but would likely be the first reliever out of the bullpen if LeBlanc needs relief.
The Padres would like nothing better than a long start from LeBlanc, especially since they're opening a three-game series in Texas on Friday.
Pitching matchupSD: LHP Wade LeBlanc (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
LeBlanc didn't last long in his first start of the season for the Padres. A late fill-in for an injured Chris Young, LeBlanc was handed a 2-0 lead on Friday against the A's but allowed the first four batters in his fourth inning of work that day to reach base, two on walks, and he was gone before recording an out. LeBlanc got some good swing-and-misses on his best pitch, the changeup, early but the A's were patient with him. All told, LeBlanc allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and one strikeout. SEA: LHP Jarrod Washburn (3-5, 3.24 ERA)
Washburn's winless streak reached 12 starts in his last outing, another quality start that wasn't quite good enough to get him a win. The lefty has the lowest run support average in the American League since 2005 and there appears to be no end in sight. He held the D-backs to three hits in his previous start, but the Mariners did not score while he was in the game. Tidbits
Padres reliever Luke Gregerson played catch again on Wednesday and didn't report any pain in his ailing right shoulder that landed him on the disabled list. ... Padres manager Bud Black said that right fielder Brian Giles, who was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a right knee contusion, will not take batting practice for "a while" and will do his best to stay off the knee. ... Catcher Nick Hundley, who is on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist, will likely go on a Minor League rehabilitation stint before being activated off the disabled list when he is eligible on July 2. ... Jason Hagerty, who was the Padres' fifth-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft earlier this month, signed a contract prior to Wednesday's game and took batting practice at Safeco Field. Hagerty will join the short-season Eugene Emeralds on Thursday in Yakima. ... The Padres are currently in a stretch of 20 games in 20 days leading up to the All-Star break next month. Tickets
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• XPRS 1090, XEMO 860 (Español) Up next
• Friday: Padres (Walter Silva, 0-0, 6.00) at Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 7-5, 2.62), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Padres (Kevin Correia, 4-5, 4.26) at Rangers (Derek Holland, 1-4, 5.77), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Padres (Chad Gaudin, 3-6, 5.60) at Rangers (Matt Harrison, 4-5, 6.11), 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.
