News
Padres take one last look at Ramos
San Diego (75-86) vs. San Francisco (87-74), 1:05 p.m. PT
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
10/04/09 1:17 AM EST
SAN DIEGO -- It's probably only fitting that the Padres will run a rookie pitcher out to the mound Sunday in the season finale against the Giants at PETCO Park. Left-handed pitcher Cesar Ramos, impressive earlier this week against the Dodgers, makes his second career Major League start. The Padres, who have turned their team over to youth in the final two months of the season with success, are using their 15th different starting pitcher of the season in Ramos. The Padres have used plenty of players low on Major League service time this season, players like rookie shortstop Everth Cabrera, outfielders Will Venable and Kyle Blanks and pitcher Mat Latos. As for Ramos, he's coming off a start where he allowed one run in five-plus innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday. The Padres decided that they wanted to see more of Ramos, one last look to take with them into the offseason. He will be a candidate in February to win a job in the starting rotation. "Every game is a test, whether it's a Spring Training game or a game at the end of the regular season," manager Bud Black said. "Players are performing and we are always watching." Ramos walked three and struck out two against the Dodgers. Black and his staff relish another chance to see what the left-hander can do. He showed a fastball that ran consistently around 92 mph and a big breaking ball against the Dodgers. Ramos is 0-1 with a 1.74 ERA in four appearances (one start) covering 10 1/3 innings. "I think we all liked what we saw," Black said after Ramos' last outing. Pitching matchupSD: LHP Cesar Ramos (0-1, 1.74 ERA)
The Padres rewarded Ramos with one more start after he allowed one run in five-plus innings in his first Major League start against the Dodgers on Tuesday. Ramos walked three and struck out two, threw a lot of strikes and benefited from three double plays that the Padres turned in the game. Ramos offers a big breaking ball and a fastball that he can bury in the strike zone. SF: LHP Jonathan Sanchez (8-12, 4.27 ERA)
A victory will enable Sanchez to match his 2008 total. He has struck out at least nine batters in four games and is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in those contests this year. For his career, he's 3-0, 1.52 in six such games. The last time Sanchez faced San Diego, he made history with his July 10 no-hitter at AT&T Park. He lost both of his appearances against the Padres earlier in the sesaon, allowing a combined seven runs in 10 2/3 innings at PETCO Park. Tidbits
On Saturday, Black, his wife Nan and several Padres players and wives participated in the Third Annual Shamu and You Family Walk at Sea World benefiting Rady Children's Hospital. Proceeds from the walk will support health care, programs, education and research allowing Rady Children's Hospital to continue to provide the most advanced pediatric services in the San Diego community. ... The Padres will hold their 10th annual Shirts Off Their Backs ceremony Sunday. The $1 scratcher tickets for the program are currently on sale at the ballpark, with all proceeds going to the Padres Foundation. Approximately 40 winners will receive a game-worn camouflage jersey presented by a Padres player or coach immediately following Sunday's game. Since 2000, the Shirts Off Their Backs program has raised more than $340,000 for the Padres Foundation. Tickets
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Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
