MVN - Most Valuable Network

Padres Win For Mom Behind Chris Young

The San Diego Padres came out on Mother’s Day with another new addition to their roster and won a series for the first time in weeks, with new catcher Luke Carlin getting a double for his first major league hit and former Red Sox Bryan Corey pitching the final frame to finish a 6-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

The Padres, freefalling since mid-April, have lately been making changes and those continued with the acquisition of Corey from Boston for a player to named later and the second straight start by Carlin. There have been roster moves of some kind for three straight days, with Joe Thatcher being sent to Portland to make room for Corey.

Young went six plus strong innings, scattering five hits and striking out seven in his first game throwing to Carlin, who for the second straight game had a pitcher say how “fun” it was to throw to him in a postgame interview. C.Y. evened his record at 3-3 and at one point retired 13 straight Colorado Rockies.

Carlin showed off his arm, gunning down Jonathon Herrera stealing second in the sixth and then got his first major league hit with an eighth inning one out double.

Tadahito Iguchi had a three hit day for San Diego and Kevin Kouzmanoff had two hits (almost three, Ryan Spilborghs robbed him one with a headfirst sliding grab) and an RBI, while Scott Hairston and Khalil Greene homered for San Diego.

 Update: After the game, the Padres designated Calix Crabbe for assignment.  As a rule 5 draftee, he must first be offered back to Milwaukee.  If the Brewers pass on Crabbe, he must pass through waivers before accepting an assignment to Portland.  The move probably does not serve as a precursor to the awaited call-up of Chase Headley, as it leaves the club without a back-up shortstop.

A  corresponding move will be announced before tomorrow’s game with Chicago.

5th Time Is Finally the Charm: Maddux Gets Win Number 350

In the new math in Padre-ville, 3 + 9 + 3 + 530 + 6 = 350.  It all means that Greg Maddux’ three hundred fiftieth career victory was the sum of many parts.

A three run homer, the ninth of the season for Adrian Gonzalez, plus three solid innings of relief that included Trevor Hoffman’s five hundred thirtieth save of his career added to six innings from the Professor himself equals win number three hundred fifty for the ninth winningest pitcher of all time.  That last time will change before season’s end however, as Roger Clemens is in the eighth spot with 354 and I somehow get the feeling that he is staying retired this time.

The victory came in the fifth attempt, as Maddux had been 2-0 through his first three starts and 0-2 since.  It also snapped a five game losing streak for the National League West cellar-dwelling Friars, who have been in freefall, losing 18 of their last 22.

A flurry of changes that have started in response to that fall claimed another victim veteran, as Glendon Rusch was outrighted to Portland to make room for waiver claim Sean Henn.  Rusch was 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA.  He has cleared waivers and has 72 hours to decide whether to report to Portland.  Most likely he will refuse and become a free agent.

Another change saw catcher Luke Carlin making his major league debut on this historic night.  It is well for Carlin that he will have a positive to remember the evening by, as he struck out three times and had a passed ball tat contributed to a run in the eighth.

Keeping The Day Busy, Padres Switch Catchers

The San Diego Padres have sent Colt Morton to AA and called up AAA catcher Luke Carlin.

Carlin, who was hitting .387 with 3 home runs in 11 games, will be taking his first trip to the majors.  The Canadian catcher recently told the Portland Beavers web site that he was looking forward to traveling to Memphis this year.  Hmmmm… sorry about that Luke.  How about Yankee Stadium instead?

Padres Release Jim Edmonds

The San Diego Padres have released struggling 37 year old outfielder Jim Edmonds, who had just six its in his last 55 at bats. Jody Gerut, who started the season with the big club, was recalled from AAA Portland to replace him.

It had been hoped that Edmonds would be the latest in a series of successful signings where the Padres have taken chances on guys having one or two more good years in them, a strategy that has paid off in the past with players such as Fernando Valenzuela, Ricky Henderson and Mike Piazza. But instead, Edmonds had posted a .178 average since coming of the DL, where he started the season with a calf injury. In addition, he had struck out in more than 25% of his at bats and was not playing center field with the proficiency expected from an eight time gold glove winner.

Gerut was hitting over .300 at Portland, with five home runs and 18 RBI’s in 27 games. Gerut and Scott Hairston are likely to share duties in center field, and this may create a three way platoon in left if the Padres continue to let Paul McAnulty work through some struggles of his own.

The Padres also claimed pitcher Sean Henn on waivers from the Yankees. It remains to be seen what roster move the club will make in response to that claim. The bullpen has not lived up to the expectations Padre fans have grown accustomed to after several seasons in which GM Kevin Towers made like Harry Potter with his bullpen acquisitions.