Game notes: Rockies 3, Padres 14 (5-1)

On May Day, the Padres showed their solidarity with the proletariate by getting to work. They dispatched with the capitalist scum Rockies by a score of 14-3.

Derek Norris proving me right / Yan Solarte proving Manny right

On the last episode of the podcast, I said Derek Norris is the Padre I’d most like to have at the plate with the World Series on the line.  Tonight, he gave further credibility to my statement with a solid single up the middle to score Justin Upton from third in the 4th inning.  Dude is batting damn over .600 with runners in scoring position.  After his RBI, I started bragging to other Pads Pod members about how my choice was spot on.  Then Yan Solarte, who was Manny’s choice for most clutch, came up and, after what seemed like hours after Norris’ at bat, slapped a two RBI single up the middle as well.  Solarte is also batting over .600 with RISP.  Although it wasn’t exactly a clutch situation, he came up in the 8th, with the game already in blow-out status, and singled home two more RBIs to take his total to 16 (sorry Jedd). Norris came up later that inning and doubled home Kemp. The race for the title of Mr. Clutch continues…

Chill the fuck out on the pitching

Our starters have, for the most part, been very good.  The bullpen will regress to the mean.  Fucking relax.  Do you think Kimbrel, Quack and Vincent are going to maintain ERAs near 5.00?  Hell to the no.  Furthermore, most of the relievers that caused us a shitload of damage are not currently on the 25 man roster (Kelley, Mazzoni, Rearick). I’m not saying this team doesn’t have some significant deficiencies, but, over the course of the season, I highly doubt the bullpen will be one of them.  Twitter can be a depressing place.  It’s hard to get perspective, but I really think we will be fine.  If I end up being wrong then I’ll just go fuck myself.

Self esteem

This was exactly the game our bullpen needed.  They were able to take over with an ample lead and get themselves right.  It was great to be able to get Quack in there in a low-pressure situation in the 7th.  He handled the situation with aplomb. I hope you don’t know what that word means because I’m doubtful that I used it correctly. Anyways, he sat those assholes down 1-2-3, and that’s gotta be great for his, and the entire pen’s, confidence going forward. Dale Thayer then came in, and continued to do his thing.  Nick Vincent took over in the 9th and had some trouble getting the final out, but overall I think it was a positive night for Padres relievers.

Upton’s base running

He went first to third early in the game. Then, he stole a base in the 7th after getting on base with an infield single. Showing he can compliment his power game with some small ball.