May 2011
Happy Saturday!
The Padres look to enact revenge and even the series tonight with Clayton Richard taking the hill against Michael Pineda.
Pineda, a rookie who made his Major League debut with the M’s this year, is making his first Interleague start.
Richard, who came up with the White Sox, is making his eighth Interleague start and 22nd overall against the American League. He is 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA all-time in Interleague matchups and 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA all-time against the Mariners (three starts). In two starts against the Mariners last year, Richard went 1-0 while allowing just three runs in 14.0 innings of work.
Here is some light reading for your Saturday afternoon, thanks to the Union-Tribune’s Bill Center:
Padres catchers Rob Johnson and Kyle Phillips each have a special reunion with the M’s in town.
See you at the park tonight. Eric Stonestreet from ABC’s Modern Family is throwing out tonight’s first pitch. He is a strong supporter of Stand Up To Cancer. Happy Saturday!
Photoday outtakes
A couple of the “best” shots from Spring Training photoday earlier this year. Keep in mind it starts at 6:45 a.m.
The rivalry continues, naturally
The Padres host the Mariners for a three-game set that begins tonight. The series against our “natural” rivals (grrrrrrrr) marks the start of this year’s Interleague schedule. In 2011 the Padres will also host the Kansas City Royals (June 27-29) and travel to face the Minnesota Twins (June 17-19), Boston Red Sox (June 20-22) and Mariners (July 1-3).
San Diego went 9-6 against the American League in 2010, posting the first winning record in Interleague Play since going 11-4 in 1999. The Padres are 97-127 all-time in Interleague Play and 35-39 against Seattle Mariners. San Diego took four of six from Seattle last season.
Aztecs take over PETCO Park
Take a look at the sights from tonight’s pregame ceremony featuring the SDSU Aztec men’s basketball team.
Thanks to Coach Fisher, D.J. Gay and the rest of the Aztecs for making tonight special.
Pregame thoughts and reminders
Steve Fisher, D.J. Gay and company are on their way to PETCO Park for tonight’s festivities. D.J. is going to throw out the first pitch and the SDSU Pep Band will perform the National Anthem.
The photo contest continues through the entire homestand, so be sure to take your pictures and submit them to publications@padres.com. Winners will be announced at the end of next week.
Finally, do yourself a favor and check out Chris Denorfia’s Wikipedia page. Thanks to Darren Smith and Andy Masur for pointing out this gem.
D…J…GAY!
As you already know, tonight the Padres will honor the Mountain West Conference Tournament and regular season champion SDSU men’s basketball team for an outstanding 2011 season, in which they made it to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.
National Coach of the Year Steve Fisher will be joined by about 10 players from the 2010-11 team for a special pregame ceremony. Team captain D.J. Gay will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch. The SDSU Pep Band will perform the National Anthem and will play the school’s fight song during an inning break.
As for the Padres…I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!
