Wade LeBlanc (AP file photo)
Comeback kids. Walk-off heroes. Call them what you want, because the 2010 Padres are never out of a game.
After Heath Bell gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, the Padres stormed back to score two runs after loading the bases with no one out. The walk-off blow came on a first pitch roped single to right from Adrian Gonzalez.
“At the end of the day, it’s a nine inning game and we won in nine innings,” Gonzalez said after the game. “Whether we win in the ninth, or however, we are going to win if we play the right game.”
It was a classic pitchers duel that threatened to go extras with both bullpens looking strong. But in the end, the Padres ended up with their league leading eighth walk-off win this season and tenth win in their last at bat.
“It was a good win, this club never gives up,” ninth inning hero David Eckstein said after the win. “We have found ways to come through and it is definitely a good feeling.”
Eckstein came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth and promptly banged an 0-2 pitch for a single to right. It was just more proof that Eckstein is one of the toughest hitters in the league to strikeout.
“It’s one of those things where you are trying to put the ball in play,” Eckstein said. “My approach doesn’t really change in the situation. I feel more aggressive with two strikes, that’s the difference.”
Leblanc had another strong outing for the Padres. The young lefty went 6 2/3 innings giving up seven hits, one run and one walk while striking out three. It was the fourth straight quality start for LeBlanc who has been filing in a rotation spot ever since Chris Young went down early in the season.
“Obviously there are still some things that I need to improve on, but I’m just trying to hold my end of the rope,” LeBlanc said after the win.
“In a division like this – in a race like this – you take wins however you can get them. I don’t care if I get them, if Heath gets them, or whoever gets them. It doesn’t matter as long as we’re getting wins.”
The Padres were saved in the fifth inning when Cesar Izturis was called out on batter’s interference. Julio Lugo was attempting to steal third base, and when Izturis got in the way of Yorvit Torrealba’s throw, it went into left field allowing Lugo to score. But home plate umpire Chris Guccione quickly sent Lugo back to second and called Izturis out.
The Padres first run of the game came in the sixth inning on a funky play in which a deep lofting fly ball from Adrian Gonzalez was misplayed by Adam Jones in centerfield. The misplay scored Chris Denorfia to draw the Padres even.
In his return to San Diego, Brian Matusz threw a brilliant six innings, striking out four. While he obviously did not have his best control – 114 pitches, 69 strikes – Matusz battled to give up just six hits, one run and one walk while on the mound.
Matusz was a star for the USD Toreros from 2005-2008. Over that span he won 28 games while dropping just eight decisions for Rich Hill’s ball club.
“I was definitely pretty excited about it,” Matusz said. “I have a lot of friends and family out here so playing in San Diego is pretty special. To throw well is a good feeling.”
On February 22, 2008 in USD’s first game of the season against the SDSU Aztecs, Matusz faced off against Stephen Strasburg. The pitchers duel turned into a one sided Aztecs victory that Matusz still remembers.
“I remember, it was the first game of the year, didn’t have as good of stuff that day,” Matusz recalled. “I talk to him a little bit, this offseason we played catch a couple times.”
Although the 2010 Padres have reveled in the walk-off glory, they know it is not something to rely on all season.
“We definitely expect to win [in the ninth],” Eckstein admitted. “But the problem is we can’t rely on that.”
But that isn’t a worry now, because the Padres walked off again and are back in first place all alone.
Notes
Before the game Heath Bell was handing out shirts in the Padres clubhouse that read “PENitentiary.”
