Padres 2007 - Games 151-162

Here are the breakdowns for each 10 game segment of the season to date:

10 Games (4/12): 6-4 record, Runs 34-30
20 Games (4/24): 12-8 record, Runs 95-80, BA 0.263, ERA 3.72
30 Games (5/5): 16-14 Record, Runs 136-120, BA 0.243, ERA 3.59
40 Games (5/15): 21-19 Record, Runs 168-142, BA 0.236, ERA 3.16
50 Games (5/28): 29-21 Record, Runs 210.167, BA 0.241, ERA 3.00
60 Games (6/8): 36-24 Record, Runs 262-196, BA 0.243, ERA 2.88
70 Games (6/20): 41-29 Record, Runs 316-238, BA 0.246, ERA 3.04
80 Games (7/1): 46-34 Record, Runs 348-271, BA 0.243, ERA 3.03
90 Games (7/15): 50-40 Record, Runs 385-314, BA 0.242, ERA 3.11
100 Games (7/25): 54-46 Record, Runs 415-371, BA 0.243, ERA 3.39
110 Games (8/5): 60-50 Record, Runs 472-418, BA 0.243, ERA 3.51
120 Games (8/16): 65-55 Record, Runs 526-466, BA 0.244, ERA 3.51
130 Games (8/27): 71-59 Record, Runs 579-516, BA 0.249, ERA 3.59
140 Games (9/8): 76-64 Record, Runs 629-568, BA 0.249, ERA 3.67
150 Games (9/19): 83-67 Record, Runs 671-597, BA 0.249, ERA 3.62

After 150 games, the Pads are 1 game behind Arizona (85-67, won 6 out of last 10) in the NL West, and 1-1/2 games ahead of Philadelphia (82-69) in the Wild Card race. The Dodgers are 79-72, the Rockies are 79-72, and the Giants are 67-84. The Phillies are the closest team to the Pads for the Wild Card spot - they are 82-69, 1-1/2 games back.

If Arizona plays 0.500 ball the rest of the way (finishing at 90-72), the Pads have to play out at 7-5 (0.571) to tie them. If the Snakes play at their current 0.559 pace (a 91-71 record), the Pads would have to finish 8-4 (0.667) to tie them. The Pads need to continue their improved hitting and get decent pitching and defense. The playoffs are a real possibility if they can finish with 90 wins.

Game 151: Wednesday, September 19, Pittsburgh at SD: Pads win 5-3. This game was lost until the bottom of the 9th when Scott Hairston hit a two-out 3-run walk-off home run off Pirates closer Matt Capps to win it. Chris Young pitched better (6 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K). The Pirates scored 1 in the first inning, and the Pads responded with 2 in the bottom of the first on Adrian Gonzalez single to drive in Cameron and Brian Giles. The Pirates scored twice in the third to go ahead 3-2. Ian Snell pitched well, holding the Pads to 4 hits over 7 innings. Joe Thatcher and Cla Meredith (won, now 5-6) pitched three shutout innings for the Pads to keep it close until the fireworks in the bottom of the 9th. After 151 games, the Pads are 84-67 (home 46-31, road 38-36), Runs 676-600, Homers 155-104. The Pads have won 6 in a row, and won 7 out of the last 10.

Game 152, Thursday, September 20, Pittsburgh at SD: Pads win 6-3. Brett Tomko started for the Pads and pitched just OK (6 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 6 K, won, now 4-11 overall, 2-0 with the Pads), giving up 3 early runs but pitching well in his last 3 perfect innings. The Pads scored 3 in the 2nd inning and 3 in the 3rd off Matt Morris (lost, now 9-11). The key hits were doubles by Scott Hairston and Michael Barrett in the 2nd, and Kahlil Greene and Kevin Kouzmanoff in the third. The bullpen pitched three scoreless innings - with Trevor Hoffman getting his 40th save. After 152 games, the Pads are 85-67 (home 47-31, road 38-36), Runs 682-603, Homers 155-105. The Pads have won 7 in a row, and won 8 out of the last 10.

Game 153, Friday, September 21, Colorado at SD: Rockies win 2-1 in 14 innings. This was one of the best pitched games of the year. Jake Peavy pitched well (7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K) but Franklin Morales pitched better (6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 6 Ks), then the Rockies bullpen pitched 8 innings giving up 1 run on only 3 hits. The Pads bullpen went 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits. The winning hit was a Brad Hawpe homer off Joe Thatcher in the 14th. The Pads only run was a 1-out solo homer in the 9th by Adrian Gonzalez. After 153 games, the Pads are 85-68 (home 47-32, road 38-36), Runs 683-605, Homers 156-107. The Pads have lost 1 in a row and have won 7 of the last 10.

Game 154, Saturday, September 22, Colorado at SD: Rocks win 6-2. Jack Cassel started (2.1 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 0 K) and the bullpen gave up 3 late runs (2 unearned). The Pads came back to 3-2 in the 5th, finally getting to Mark Redman with Kahlil Greene's solo homer and a bases-loaded walk. After 154 games, the Pads are 85-69 (home 47-33, road 38-36), Runs 685-611, Homers 157-108. The Pads have lost 2 in a row and have won 7 of the last 10.

Game 155, Sunday, September 23, Colorado at SD: Rocks win 7-3. This game was lost early as Greg Maddux pitched poorly (3.2 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 1 K, lost, now 13-11) and the Padres never were in the game after the 4th inning. Milton Bradley and Josh Bard had solo homers for the Padres. Even worse, Mike Cameron got hurt when Milton Bradley stepped on his hand as they came together in the outfield, resulting in Garrett Atkins inside-the-park homer in the 7th. Then in the 8th, Bradley singled and while on first base got into an argument with the umpire. Bud Black came out to protect the umpire, wrestled Bradley to the ground and Bradley injured his knee. So the Pads lost two players in one game. After 155 games, the Pads are 85-70 (home 47-34, road 38-36), Runs 688-618, Homers 159-109. The Pads have lost 3 in a row and won 7 of the last 10.

At the start of the homestand, I hoped that the Pads would win 8 out of 10. They won the first 7 and lost the last 3, and let the Rockies into the wild-card race. Even worse, the Pads are only 1/2 game ahead of the Phillies for the wild-card spot. The hitters and pitchers did well until the Rockies came to town. It was very frustrating!!!

Game 156, Monday, September 24, SD at SF: Giants win 9-4. This game wasn't close either, as Chris Young pitched poorly (5 IP, 7 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 3 K, lost, now 9-8). Barry Zito didn't pitch much better but got the win. The Pads had 12 hits and left 13 runners on base. Scott Hairston took over in LF and Brady Clark in CF. After 156 games, the Pads are 85-71 (home 47-34, road 38-37), Runs 692-627, Homers 159-109. The Pads have lost 4 in a row and won 6 of the last 10.

Game 157, Tuesday, September 25, SD at SF: Pads win 6-4. Just WOW! This was a BIG turnaround game - stealing victory from the jaws of a 5th loss in a row. In the 9th inning, the Pads scored 4 runs on an RBI by Brady Clark, then Oscar Robles walked on a 3-2 pitch, and Brian Giles hit a monster 3-run homer to right center on a 2-0 pitch. A bloop, a walk and a blast. A classic comeback. Brett Tomko started and pitched poorly (6 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K). The relievers shut out the Giants over the last 3 innings, with Trevor Hoffman picking up his 41st save. Kahlil Greene and Scott Hairston had solo homers as the Pads fought back from a 4-0 deficit. After 157 games, the Pads are 86-71 (home 47-34, road 39-37), Runs 698-631, Homers 162-109. The Pads have won 1 in a row and 6 of the last 10.

Game 158, Wednesday, September 26, SD at SF. Pads win 11-3. This was Barry Bonds last home game in SF. Jake Peavy pitched well (7 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 1 K, won, now 19-6) but wdid not dominate with the fastball, trying to conserve energy for a possible 162nd game start at Milwaukee if needed. The Giants jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Pads scored 2 in the second and 6 in the 5th to take an 8-1 lead. The Pads had 17 hits, with Scott Hairston hitting a solo homer, and Josh Bard having 4 hits and 3 RBI. Kahlil Greene (2 hits, 2 RBI) and Kevin Kouzmanoff (2 hits, 2 RBI) also contributed. After 158 games, the Pads are 87-71 (home 47-34, road 40-37), Runs 709-634, Homers 163-111. The Pads have won 2 in a row, and 6 of the last 10.

Now it's on to Milwaukee for a 4 game series. The Pads are 1 game behind Arizona (88-70) and 1 game ahead of Philly (86-72) and Colorado (86-72) for the wild card spot. Milwaukee is 2 games back of Chicago for the NL Central lead.

Game 159, Thursday, September 27, SD at Milwaukee: Pads win 9-5. The Pads went ahead 5-1, then 9-2 and the Brewers made it closer with 3 in the 7th. Jack Cassel started (4.2 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K) but was in trouble in the 5th when Joe Thatcher got the 3rd out. The Pads scored on Scott Hairston's 2-run double in the 3rd, and 2 RBI's by Kahlil Greene in the 7th. They were aided by 5 Brewers errors. The Brewers hit 3 homers off Padres pitchers. After 159 games, the Pads are 88-71 (home 47-34, road 41-37), Runs 718-639, Homers 163-114. The Pads have won 3 in a row, and 6 of the last 10.

Game 160, Friday, September 28, SD at Milwaukee. Pads win 6-3. The Pads fell behind 2-0 in the 1st, went ahead 3-2 in the 4th, were tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 4th and scored one in the 6th and 2 in the 8th. Greg Maddux started and pitched poorly (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K, won, 14-11). The bullpen pitched well. The Pads got a 2-run homer from Kahlil Greene in the 8th. After 160 games, the Pads are 89-71 (home 47-34, road 42-37), Runs 724-642, Homers 164-115. The Pads have won 3 in a row, and 6 of the last 10.

With this win and the other teams losing, the Pads need to win one of the last 2 to be the wild-card playoff team. This win also eliminated playoff hopes for Milwaukee.

Game 161, Saturday, September 29, SD at Milwaukee. Brewers win 4-3 in 11 innings. Chris Young started (6 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 7 Ks) and would have won it if the bullpen had held the 3-2 lead. Trevor Hoffman gave up a triple to Tony Gwynn Jr with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th that tied the score (Hoffman's 6th blown save of 2007). In the 11th, the Brewers scored a run off Joe Thatcher to win it. Adrian Gonzalez had a solo homer and 3 RBI. The Pads had 12 hits and left 9 runners on, but got only 2 hits against Brewers relievers. This was a tough loss, since a win would have put the Pads in the playoffs. After 161 games, the Pads are 89-72 (home 47-34, road 42-38), Runs 727-646, Homers 165-116. The Pads have lost 1 in a row, and won 5 of the last 10.

Game 162, Sunday, September 30, SD at Milwaukee. Brewers win 11-6. It really wasn't that close. Brett Tomko started for the Pads and couldn't get through 5 innings. The relievers gave up 6 more runs in a poor effort. The Pads jumped out to a 3 run lead in the 1st inning, but the Brewers overcame that, leading 6-4 after 5 and 10-4 after 8 innings. Brian Giles, Kahlil Greene, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Adrian Gonzalez had solo homers for the Pads. After 162 games, the Pads are 89-73 (home 47-34, road 42-39), Runs 733-657, Homers 169-116. The Pads have lost 2 in a row, and 5 of the last 10.

Since Philadelphia won and the Mets lost, the Phillies are NL East champs (at 89-73) and the Mets (at 88-74) miss the playoffs. Since Colorado won at home (89-73) against Arizona (NL West champs at 90-72), they tied the Padres for the wild-card berth. There will be a one-game playoff in Denver on Monday. Jake Peavy will start for the Padres against Josh Fogg.

Needless to say, the end of the season with two losses is really disappointing ...