News
Latos gets a lot of support from Padres
San Diego (46-65) vs. New York (51-58), 7:05 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
08/08/09 2:42 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Few Padres pitchers have been blessed by a fair amount of run support during manager Bud Black's three seasons in San Diego -- Jake Peavy, Greg Maddux and Chris Young all have been left with their share of no-decisions in games where offensive backing was scarce.That's hasn't been much of a problem for Padres rookie pitcher Mat Latos in his past three starts, all victories. The Padres are scoring an average of 5.6 runs a game for the 21-year-old, who will attempt to win for the fourth time Saturday against the New York Mets at PETCO Park.
The Padres, who rank last in the Major Leagues in runs scored, have scored six, seven and four runs the last three times Latos has pitched.
Not that Latos has needed much offensive backing.
Latos allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings in Monday's win over the Braves, the only victory by the Padres in the three-game series. Latos loaded the bases in the first inning with no outs, but managed to get out of it by allowing one run.
"I thought his changeup was more effective in the middle innings. He limited his pitches tonight more than he did in his previous win," Black said, noting that Latos threw 94 pitches over seven innings."
San Diego general manager Kevin Towers said last week that the plan is still to shut Latos down sometime during the month of September to prevent too big a workload this season.
Going into Saturday's start against the Mets, Latos has thrown 96 innings between his stint the Major Leagues and his two stops in the Minors. He has never thrown more than 56 innings in a professional season, and Towers said that he normally doesn't like to more than double the workload from season to season.
Pitching matchup
SD: RHP Mat Latos (3-1, 2.66 ERA)
Latos continue to impress. He allowed two runs over the first two innings against the Braves on Monday and then retired 13 of the next 14 hitters he faced, mixing in a changeup more than he had during his previous three starts. On average, he has allowed less than one base runner per inning in his four big league starts, holding opponents to a .190 batting average. His only real problem has been home runs; the ratio of five allowed in 23 2/3 innings would yield a staggering 42 in 200 innings. NYM: RHP Bobby Parnell (2-3, 3.74 ERA)
Mike Pelfrey was to have made the Saturday start, but he didn't accompany to team to San Diego on Wednesday, instead remaining in New York with his wife, Angela, awaiting the birth of their first child. So with Jon Niese now assigned to the disabled list, the Mets have turned to rookie Bobby Parnell, who will make his first big league start. The Mets had prepared him for the assignment -- as much as they could, given the time element -- by having him pitch three innings in relief Wednesday afternoon. He had pitched more than an inning twice in his first 41 appearances. Then he pitched two innings Monday in the poor start by Nelson Figueroa followed by Wednesday's three innings, for his first big league save, in what might be his final relief appearance. Parnell had started 92 times in 94 Minor League appearances before pitching in relief exclusively in the big leagues, beginning in September. Tidbits
Black, who received a contract extension on Friday that will keep him in San Diego through 2010 and with the possibility of the club picking up his option in 2011, is excited about the team moving forward, especially the young players on the roster. "It's flattering. I'm excited to be a part of what's going on," Black said. "I'm happy I'm a part of where this organization is heading." About the number of young players on the roster, Black said: "A lot of teaching is going on." ... San Diego relief pitcher Mike Adams allowed an eighth-inning single to New York's Daniel Murphy on Thursday, snapping his hitless streak of seven innings. He had not allowed a hit since July 20. ... Including Friday's 6-2 walk-off win, the Padres have won 11 of their past 14 games against the Mets dating back to the 2007 season. ... San Diego is back to a 25-man roster after recalling right-handed pitcher Ryan Webb from Triple-A Portland on Friday. The Padres played with 24 players on Thursday after trading pitcher Chad Gaudin to the New York Yankees. Webb allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings with the Padres last month. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• 4 San Diego On radio
• XPRS 1090, XEMO 860 (Español) Up next
• Sunday: Padres (Tim Stauffer, 1-3, 3.12) vs. Mets (Johan Santana, 12-8, 3.10), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Padres (Clayton Richard, 5-3, 4.49) at Brewers (Braden Looper, 10-5, 4.84), 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.
