News
Padres' starters set through Friday
San Diego (72-84) at Arizona (67-88), 1:10 p.m. PT
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com
09/27/09 12:15 AM ET
PHOENIX -- Padres manager Bud Black has set up his starting pitching for the next four games, including right-hander Edward Mujica in Sunday's road-schedule closer against the D-backs at Chase Field. In a surprise of sorts for Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers at PETCO Park, Black has tabbed rookie left-hander Cesar Ramos to start in the slot usually reserved for Tim Stauffer. Left-hander Clayton Richard is slated to go Wednesday night vs. the Dodgers. And after an off-day on Thursday, Kevin Correia is scheduled to make his final start of the season in the opener of a season-closing three-game series against the Giants. The last two games of that series are still up in the air, Black said. "We're going to give [Ramos] a look and give Tim a blow. Tim has been going at it pretty hard," Black said. "Here again, the rotation is fluid. Let's see what happens as we move forward. We'll see what we do on the weekend." It'll be Ramos' Major League starting debut. He has made three relief appearances for the Padres since he was recalled from Triple-A Portland on Sept. 8, allowing an earned run on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He's whiffed five and walked none. Ramos made 14 starts for Portland this season and was 4-6 with a 4.33 ERA. His inaugural Major League appearance came on Sept. 16 in San Diego against the D-backs, and he worked one shutout inning. The left-hander missed most of the season with a left shoulder impingement. Pitching matchupSD: RHP Edward Mujica (3-4, 3.77 ERA)
A long reliever most of the season, the Padres have given Mujica three starts to see if he might fit in their starting rotation next season. He pitched reasonably well his first two times out, allowing two runs in a combined 8 2/3 innings. But Mujica struggled mightily against Colorado on Tuesday, allowing six runs -- five earned -- in 2 2/3 innings in a no-decision. He allowed eight hits, and even as the Padres rallied, he couldn't hold the lead. ARI: RHP Billy Buckner (2-6, 6.75 ERA)
Buckner was roughed up a bit in his previous outing, as he allowed four runs -- three earned -- in just 4 1/3 innings against the Giants. Buckner ran into trouble by elevating his pitches. "He just couldn't finish the at-bat one way or the other and get the ball in play," Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said. "They fouled off a bunch of pitches, he got into deep counts and just couldn't put guys away." The right-hander pitched well in his two starts prior to that, allowing two runs over 13 innings. The curveball is probably Buckner's best pitch, and he has worked this season on developing a cut fastball. Tidbits
Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff moved closer to his return to the lineup after missing 16 games with a strained left calf and a back injury. Kouzmanoff took batting practice and some grounders on the field prior to Saturday night's game. He could return for the Padres' final five-game homestand, Black said. "He'll play again this season," Black said about a player who has 17 home runs, 84 RBIs and has committed just three errors. "He's getting closer." ... In September, Correia is 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA in six starts and may be a prime candidate for the National League's Pitcher of the Month. Black reacted to some of the D-backs who claimed that Correia kept them off balance with breaking balls on Friday night when the right-hander threw his first career complete game and shutout. "I read that, but he threw a lot of fastballs," Black said. "He threw [109] pitches, 60-65 percent of them were fastballs. They made outs on breaking balls. You can't throw 80 breaking balls. You can't do it. Your arm will fall off." Tickets
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• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Padres (Cesar Ramos, 0-1, 1.69) vs. Dodgers (Chad Billingsley, 12-10, 4.07), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Padres (Clayton Richard, 8-5, 4.62) vs. Dodgers (Vicente Padilla, 11-6, 4.62), 7:05 p.m. PT
Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
