News
Le-blank: Padres lefty subdues Giants
Rookie pitches seven shutout innings to cap season
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
10/04/09 1:44 AM EST
SAN DIEGO -- It's not just an us-against-them mentality that Wade LeBlanc is toting to the mound these days, but a me-against-me attitude that appears to be working wonders for the Padres pitcher. LeBlanc, who struggled mightily last September in his first Major League run and again earlier this season, had looked like a different pitcher since emerging from his exile with Triple-A Portland this summer. "I've definitely been a different guy," LeBlanc said. One, to be sure, who has put himself back on the Padres' radar, especially after the start he had Saturday against the Giants where he threw seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in a 2-0 victory at PETCO Park. LeBlanc continued his impressive five-week push by continuing to pound the strike zone with his fastball while getting a lot of ugly swings on his plus changeup as he lowered his ERA to a scant 2.00 with a 3-0 record since Sept. 1. The difference between this LeBlanc and the one who struggled badly earlier this season in two starts -- he allowed seven runs in a combined 4 1/3 innings -- has been his ability to trust himself, particularly coming inside on hitters. "To me, my back was up against the wall. It was embarrassing," LeBlanc said. "There are a lot of things I want to continue to work on. I don't want to be content with September." LeBlanc, who finished the season with a 3-1 record and a 3.69 ERA in nine starts, retired 14 consecutive hitters at one point Saturday against the Giants (87-74), with seven of the outs coming on strikeouts. Catcher Nick Hundley, who has caught LeBlanc at various Minor League stops as well as in San Diego, has been impressed how LeBlanc has gone after hitters after returning from Portland. "I see that he's out there not taking anything for granted," Hundley said. "I'm proud of him. He's come out and been very aggressive. When you control both sides of the plate, you're going to be successful." The Padres (75-86), who have now won 12 more games than last season with one left Sunday against these same Giants, didn't exactly back LeBlanc with a lot of run support, though with Matt Cain (14-8) on the mound, that was partly understandable. Cain allowed three baserunners in the first inning, including an RBI single to Padres left fielder Chase Headley. Adrian Gonzalez then added an RBI single in the third inning for his 99th RBI of the season. LeBlanc took care of the rest, turning the ball over to Mike Adams (0.75 ERA) and closer Heath Bell (42nd save), who helped complete the Padres' sixth shutout since the start of September. "Wade was outstanding," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Right up from his first pitch to his last. We talk a lot about locating the fastball. He got in on some guys; you saw a lot of broken bats. When hitters are aware of that, his changeup becomes more effective." The Padres complete their season Sunday. Earlier in the day Saturday, the team announced that general manager Kevin Towers, the longest-tenured GM in the Major Leagues, won't be back next season. Towers, who has one year remaining on his contract, said he wants to be a GM again. Though he'll likely take some time off, he's already fielded calls from general managers about doing advance scouting work.Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
