|
|
BLACK KEEPS GIVING THATCHER THE BALL AND THATCHER KEEPS GIVING UP RUNS by Jason Martinez sdpadrefan.com posted 5/08/08 Maybe Manager Bud Black is trying to send a message to the front office by continuing to give the ball to struggling pitcher Joe Thatcher in high-pressure situations. The message is, "Please get me some guys who can get somebody out". While Heath Bell and Trevor Hoffman are lucky to get work twice a week these days, Thatcher has been the go-to-guy for Black with the game on the line prior to the 8th inning. The results have been atrocious, to say the least. Thatcher has allowed six of eight inherited runners to score. He is 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA. He struggled early in the season to find the plate. Lately, he's finding too much of the plate, especially in favorable 0-2 or 1-2 counts. The bottom line is that he's not been very good this season and should probably be sent down to AAA until his problems are worked out. So who does Black give the ball to in high-pressure situations? With an ERA of 4.53, the Padres bullpen is the worst in the National League. Heath Bell (2.55 ERA) is the best they have, but he's used almost exclusively in the 8th inning when his team has a lead. I don't disagree with that. Cla Meredith (3.45 ERA) has been pretty good but he wasn't very good with the game on the line last season. Wil Ledezma (1.96 ERA) has had good results but was utilized mostly in long relief and is now in the rotation. That leaves Shawn Estes, Glendon Rusch, and Justin Germano. Things have gotten real ugly around here. Padre fans cannot feel good about the current state of this ballclub. |