News
Thatcher has earned Black's trust
San Diego (63-79) vs. Colorado (82-60), 7:05 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
09/12/09 1:30 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- The Padres are currently carrying three left-handers in their bullpen, though only one has earned the trust of manager Bud Black. Joe Thatcher, who has had about as big a roller-coaster ride of events since he was first recalled in the final month of 2007, has settled into a role as a left-handed specialist in the Padres bullpen. He's done it with a handful of strong outings since he was promoted from Triple-A Portland on July 20. He was up with the Padres two other times before that. Since the All-Star break, Thatcher is 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA in 19 1/3 innings. He has 23 strikeouts in that stetch, 10 hits allowed and four walks. Better still, left-handed batters are hitting .172 against him this season. "He's been dependable," Black said. "A lot of it is experience, making adjustments in his game." Thatcher was acquired from the Brewers in the Scott Linebrink deal in 2007 and posted a 1.23 ERA in September of that year. But '08 was a disaster for Thatcher, who had a 6.75 ERA in the first half of the season before he was sent to Portland. This season, Thatcher started the season in Portland but has pitched well since he was recalled on July 20. Thatcher is tied for fourth in the Major Leagues by allowing only 16.7 percent of inherited runners to score (six of 36). Since July 20, Thatcher has allowed just three of 26 inherited runners to score (11.5 percent). Prior to Sept. 6, he had not allowed an inherited runner to score since August 2. Thatcher could be a pitcher Black leans on against the Rockies on Saturday, as Colorado has a handful of letfies -- Carlos Gonzalez, Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe -- who figure to be in the lineup against right-handed pitcher Tim Stauffer. Pitching matchupSD: RHP Tim Stauffer (4-6, 3.49 ERA)
Stauffer was very good against the Dodgers on Sunday, allowing one earned run in 6 2/3 innings. He has gone 6 2/3 innings in each of last two starts after going five innings in each of his previous five. Against the Dodgers, Stauffer got 11 ground-ball outs and walked one. "Stauffer has been pretty steady since he joined the rotation," Black said. COL: RHP Esmil Rogers (Major League debut)
Rogers began the year in standout fashion at Double-A Tulsa, going 8-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 15 starts, with 83 strikeouts against 19 walks in 94 1/3 innings. His numbers were not nearly as impressive in 12 games, including 11 starts, at Triple-A Colorado Springs. There were five extremely bad games in which he gave up 31 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings. The rest were decent or better. Rogers, 24, played shortstop for three years in the Rockies' chain before moving to the mound in 2006. Tidbits
The Park View Little League team from nearby Chula Vista that recently won the Little League World Series will be at PETCO Park on Saturday. The team will arrive prior to batting practice, take a clubhouse tour and meet with Padres players. They will also hit in the Padres' final batting-practice group, scheduled for 5:10 p.m. PT. ... Luke Gregerson has not allowed a run in 13 2/3 innings, dating back to Aug. 16. That ranks sixth among active scoreless-innings streaks in the Majors Leagues and fourth in the National League. ... The Double-A San Antonio Missions lost, 6-5, to Midland in Game 3 of the Double-A Texas League semifinals on Friday. They head into Saturday's Game 4 with a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-five series. ... The Class A Fort Wayne TinCaps scored three in the bottom of the eighth inning on Friday, winning, 5-4, over South Bend in a decisive Game 3 in the first round of the Midwest League playoffs. The TinCaps advance to the second round, where they will face Great Lakes in a best-of-three series. Tickets
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• Sunday: Padres (Clayton Richard, 8-5, 4.88) vs. Rockies (Jason Marquis, 15-10, 3.65), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Padres (Kevin Correia, 10-10, 4.30) vs. D-backs (Billy Buckner, 2-6, 7.38), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Padres (Wade LeBlanc, 2-1, 5.01) vs. D-backs (Dan Haren, 13-8, 2.82), 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.
