The Padres couldn’t score a run on Jeff Weaver. Jeff Weaver, he of the 5.76 ERA this season and the lifetime record of 86-101, the one who was waived by the Angels earlier this year…San Diego couldn’t score a run off of him. Hell, they could barely hit him. Weaver gave up two hits, both singles, over five innings.
St. Louis limped into the playoffs thanks to a last-minute collapse by Houston. They looked worn down and exhausted, while San Diego won 10 of their last 13 games to take the division. Of course, none of that technically matters now, but you’d think some of their momentum would carry over. Instead, this is like “Freaky Friday” on a grand scale. San Diego chooses to pitch to Albert Pujols with Preston Wilson on second, and of course Pujols belts a ball to left field and scores Wilson. San Diego then had Pujols in a rundown, but Pujols reached second safely after no one came over to receive the throw from first base. Pujols would later score, and that’s all they’d need. Two runs. That’s all they’d need.
San Diego now has to go into the belly of the whale and face the most rabid fans west of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The only thing the Padres have in their favor now is that they are a better road team than a home team, and boy, did they prove that this week. One run in two games. I wonder what the Phillies would have done in that situation…
Game 3, Saturday: Chris Young (11-5, 3.46) vs. Jeff Suppan (12-7, 4.12)
