Swinging Friars

The Padres had 20 hits in their 14-3 win last night, three shy of tying the season-high 23 they had on 5/11 at MIL. San Diego became the first Major League team this season to record 20 or more hits in two games, while scoring a team season-high 14 runs. It was the 21st time in franchise history the team collected 20 or more hits. A total of 12 teams (13 times) have tallied 20 or more hits this season.

“You could have brought Bob Feller and Tom Seaver back and they probably would have hit them just as well.” – Marlins’ Manager Jack McKeon

The Padres go for the sweep today and are currently waiting out a rain delay with a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

 

Strong start

Tim Stauffer continued his dominance on the mound last night with 6.0 innings of shutout ball, picking up his sixth win of the season and fourth in his last five starts. The Padres improved to 11-9 on the year when he takes the mound. Stauffer lowered his team-leading ERA to 2.83, ranking eighth in the National League. Since June 7, he has gone 5-2 with a 1.33 ERA (8 ER/54.0 IP) in eight starts without allowing more than two runs in any of his outings.

As for the Padres, they started their seven-game trip with a win last night pulling even with the Dodgers in the standings. Heath Bell picked up his 27th save of the season in his 29th opportunity following an offensive attack that saw four Padres tally two-hit games (Venable, Maybin, Ludwick, Hudson).

On the road again

The Padres kick off a seven-game road trip today with the first of three in Florida. The club will then travel to Philadelphia for a four-game set before returning home. Here is who the Padres will face this trip:

7/19-21 at Florida: RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Ricky Nolasco, RHP Javier Vazquez

7/22-25 at Philadelphia: LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Kyle Kendrick, RHP Roy Halladay, LHP Cliff Lee

In the 25 combined starts Sanchez, Nolasco and Vazquez have made against the Padres, San Diego has gone 14-11 with winning records against each of the three Marlins starters. The Marlins and Padres met nine times in 2010 with San Diego going 6-3.

Tim Stauffer takes the hill tonight with his team-leading 2.97 ERA (10th in the NL). He is making his first career appearance at Florida, having made two previous appearances (one start) against Florida at PETCO Park.