NewsCorreia opens final series vs. old team
San Diego (74-85) vs. San Francisco (86-73), 7:05 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
10/01/09 8:37 PM EST
SAN DIEGO -- Maybe it's only fitting that the Padres begin their final series of the regular season by throwing their unlikely staff ace, Kevin Correia.After all, did anyone think Correia -- the former Giants hurler who gets the start Friday against his old team -- would be here today when Spring Training started, leading the Padres in victories (12) and about every other pitching category?
Correia, who came to Spring Training on a Minor League contract, has been worth every bit of his base $750,000 salary, not to mention another $300,000 in incentives for what he's done this season.
In his last start against Arizona, Correia tossed his first shutout, striking out seven and walking one in a dominant performance.
"Correia just completely, completely controlled the game and shut us out," Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said. "He came into our ballpark and dictated everything that happened tonight."
The D-backs never moved a runner past second base against Correia.
"It was one of my better outings in the big leagues," Correia said. "I had some pretty good runs in my six years with the Giants -- either I didn't get the opportunity or I didn't take advantage of it when I did."
Correia's complete game was only the Padres' second of the season. The other was thrown by former Friars ace Jake Peavy against the Reds on May 17.
Asked whether he expected to have Correia as part of the rotation next season, manager Bud Black said: "For me? Absolutely."
Correia is under club control for 2010, meaning the only way he wouldn't be back is if the team didn't want him. That's certainly not the case, as he'll head to Spring Training with essentially a lock on a rotation spot.
"Obviously my future is their hands," said Correia, who was born in San Diego. "I'm going to finish out the season and then worry about that stuff. I'd love to stay. Obviously, it's my hometown team and I love playing here."
Pitching matchupSF: LHP Barry Zito (10-13, 4.10 ERA)
Zito's doomed to finish with his third consecutive losing record during his three-year Giants tenure. But he has again staged a second-half rally, posting a 5-4 record with a 2.90 ERA after finishing 5-9 with a 5.01 ERA in the first half. He also has pitched capably at home, where he's 6-6 with a 3.92 ERA. By contrast, he's 4-7 with a 4.30 ERA on the road. Zito received a no-decision two starts ago against Arizona, pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing four runs (three earned). SD: RHP Kevin Correia (12-10, 3.89 ERA)
Correia will make his fourth start against his old team. He's 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA against the Giants. He's only made as many starts against one other team, Arizona (five). Tidbits
A number of Padres players and staff will visit the U.S. Navy SEAL training base on Coronado on Thursday's off-day. The group will participate in a tour and demonstration of the Navy SEAL training curriculum. On Wednesday, Padres general manager Kevin Towers participated in a flight with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team at MCAS Miramar. ... Black said Wednesday that several members of the Padres will play winter ball after the regular season, including pitchers Luis Perdomo, Edward Mujica and Sean Gallagher. Additionally, pitcher Aaron Poreda will head to Peoria, Ariz., to the Padres' Spring Training facility next week for instructional league to continue to work on his mechanics. ... Black said Tuesday that he was confident that his coaching staff will be retained for 2010. "They've done a great job," Black said. ... When Adrian Gonzalez walked three times on Tuesday, it marked the seventh time this season he's had three or more walks. Tickets
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• XPRS 1090, XEMO 860 (Español) Up next
• Saturday: Padres (Wade LeBlanc, 2-1, 4.35) vs. Giants (Matt Cain, 14-7, 2.88), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Padres (Cesar Ramos, 0-1, 1.74) vs. Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 8-12, 4.27), 1:05 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.
