News
Friars like what they see from Stauffer
San Diego (44-63) vs. Atlanta (53-53), 7:05 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
08/04/09 12:50 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- While the Pades are keeping close tabs on the number of innings that Monday's starter, 21-year-old Mat Latos throws, the team certainly wants to see as much as it can of its Tuesday starter before the regular season ends in October.Tim Stauffer, who gets the start against the Braves at PETCO Park in the second game of a four-game series, is off to a strong start since being promoted from Triple-A Portland on July 11.
Stauffer is 1-2 with a 2.57 ERA and had one of his four starts cut short -- to one inning -- because of a lengthy rain delay in Washington on July 25.
Stauffer was plenty good in his last start against the Reds on July 30, allowing one run on seven hits over seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts in a 7-4 victory by the Padres on the road.
"This is the best I've seen from Tim," Padres manager Bud Black said. "We're seeing things we didn't see when he was up here in 2007. Talent doesn't go away. If he's healthy, he's got a new lease."
That outing against Cincinnati was actually Stauffer's first victory since 2006.
"If you asked me if I'd be here right now, probably not," Stauffer said. "But I never really doubted myself."
Stauffer's 2008 season was cut short by right shoulder surgery (labrum). After undergoing a long rehabilitation process, he expected to be pitching for Triple-A Portland this season.
Fully recovered from that surgery, Stauffer has performed well at two Minor League stops this season, going 2-1 with a 2.14 ERA between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Portland.
"I think Stauffer's put himself back on the radar," said Padres manager Bud Black.
This will only be Stauffer's second start at pitcher-friendly PETCO Park. He allowed one run in six innings in a no-decision against the Marlins on July 20.
Pitching matchup
SD: RHP Tim Stauffer (1-2, 2.57 ERA)
Stauffer had his best start of the season in a 7-4 win over the Reds last Thursday. He went seven innings and gave up just one run on seven hits. The start was his third quality start of the season and his first win. Stauffer pitched much of his start through heavy rain and gave up his only run on back-to-back doubles in the fourth. ATL: RHP Javier Vazquez (8-7, 3.01 ERA)
Vazquez was denied his bid to win a fourth consecutive start on Thursday, when he was charged with both of the runs the Marlins scored in their game-tying eighth inning. The 33-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his past seven starts. The Braves have won each of the past five games he's started and the only loss he suffered over his past seven outings came via a 1-0 setback against the Red Sox. He has allowed two runs or fewer in six of his past eight starts against the Padres. Tidbits
Aaron Poreda, one of four pitchers obtained Friday from the White Sox for Jake Peavy, makes his debut Tuesday for Triple-A Portland. ... Catcher Nick Hundley, who has missed the past 42 games because of a small fracture near his left wrist, will likely start a Minor League rehab stint on Wednesday with Triple-A Portland in Albuquerque. ... Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez will be making a brief appearance in Tijuana on Thursday to visit Liga Municipal de Beisbol. The Gonzalez brothers grew up playing on those fields. They will sign autographs and meet with players during the visit. ... Going into Monday's game, outfielder Tony Gwynn had reached base safely in his past five games and was hitting .429 over that stretch. ... Adrian Gonzalez extended his consecutive games streak to 314 when he came in as a defensive replacement at first base in the ninth inning of Monday's victory over the Braves. ... Pitcher Wade LeBlanc of Portland limited Sacramento to one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings on Sunday in a 2-1 loss to the RiverCats. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
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• Official game notes On television
• 4 San Diego On radio
• XPRS 1090, XEMO 860 (Español) Up next
• Wednesday: Padres (Chad Gaudin, 4-9, 4.76) vs. Braves (Tommy Hanson, 5-2, 3.25), 12:35 p.m. PT
• Thursday: Padres (Clayton Richard, 4-3, 4.47) vs. Mets (Livan Hernandez, 7-5, 4.77), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Friday: Padres (TBD) vs. Mets (Oliver Perez, 2-3, 7.03), 7:05 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.
