Cesar Ramos Outduels Billingsley, Dodgers

Nice debut, Cesar.

In his MLB debut - against the first-place Dadgers on a night they could clinch the division title, no less - Cesar threw 5 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run. He also K'd 2, including Manny to end an inning with runners on base.

It was only one start, but Cesar now becomes another young Padres pitcher that has earned a shot to make the 2010 rotation by way of a strong outing this September. All of a sudden it's a crowded field of candidates: Chris Young, Kevin Correia, Tim Stauffer, Sean Gallagher, Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Mat Latos, Cesar Ramos, Wade LeBlanc, Josh Geer, Edward Mujica, Cesar Carrillo, and probably a few others I'm not thinking of.

Jerry Coleman - or maybe it was Ted Leitner - said it the other night: Spring Training is going to be very very interesting.

Quite A Weekend For Former Illini Beasts

The current Illini couldn't get anything done on Saturday against Ohio St. That wasn't the case for a couple former Illini on Sunday afternoon in the League.

Pierre Thomas rushed 14 times for 126 yards and 2 TDs in the Saints win over Buffalo.

And you all know about Greg Lewis' stunning grab in the end zone on the game's final play as the Vikes beat the Niners.

Coupla beasts.

Stop. The. Run.

It's that simple today when the Bolts host the Fins in the Diego. If Vaughn Martin (pictured above eating a football), Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Luis Castillo, Jacques Cesaire and newcomer Alfonso Boone can't get penetration today and put some hits on Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, it's going to be a long afternoon at the Q.

I for one have confidence in the guys to get it done.

And I'll be watching from here.

I Have No Idea What Will Happen In the Illinois - Ohio St. Game

That's right. I have absolutely no clue about what will happen today when the Illini play Ohio St. at the Horseshoe.

First of all, it seems like forever since the Illini have played a game. They lost the opener to Mizzou, then came back a week later and won against Illinois St., a game that can't be considered a real contest. I didn't watch that game, and just read about the injury to Juice on the first play from scrimmage, the up and down play of Eddie McGee and the questionable defensive play, even against an ISU offense that is objectively terrible.

Secondly, even though the Illini are coming off a bye week, injuries raise a big question mark. Juice has the quad (or is it a hammy?) issue, and Benn has the sprained ankle he suffered against Mizzou. Martez is out for the season and a redshirt freshman, Evan Frierson, is starting in his place at middle linebacker. If Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes can't exploit that matchup, they aren't worthy of their AP #13 ranking.

All that said, the Illini have a lot of talent and have won in Columbus recently, against a better Ohio St. team no less. Here are the few keys I see for the Illini to be competitive:

1. the defense - especially Sirod, Josh Brent, Doug Pilcher and Corey Liuget on the D Line, and Evan Frierson and Ian Thomas in the linebacking unit - must contain Pryor when he leaves the pocket as he so often does;

2. Juice needs to complete a few passes downfield to Benn, Jeff Cumberland, Jarred Fayson or one of the other guys in the receiving unit, in order to open up the option run that Juice ran to perfection in 2007;

3. Juice needs to throw no more than 1 pick;

4. the DBs - I'm looking at you Donsay Hardeman - need to prevent Pryor from making a big play deep and, almost as important, avoid making foolish late hit personal foul penalties; and

5. the Illini can't give up. Against Mizzou they clearly were outclassed in terms of heart, drive and will to win. If the Buckeyes smack the Illini in the face early today, which they may very well do, the Illini need to stand right back up and throw a stiff forearm shiver right across the jaw of the Buckeyes. That's what a man would do, and that's what the Illini need to do today.

I'm looking forward to this.

A Word On The Padres

And that word is "good."

Yes, the Padres are good. They are now 14-7 in September with games against Arizona, LA and San Fran left to play. They just took two of three from Colorado. Since they turned the corner in late July, the Padres have won series against the Reds, Milwaukee, the Mets, Milwaukee again, the Cubs, Atlanta, Florida, Washington, the Dodgers, the Giants, Colorado (twice) and the Buccos. They've only lost to the red hot Cardinals (twice), the DBacks and Atlanta.

Quite a run. The only good team they haven't played is Philly, and Philly can't close out anything right now.

Bottom line is that if the Padres were inserted into the NL Wild Card, I'd bet they'd make a run. The Cardinals would, of course, be quite a hurdle, but the Drinos have shown they can compete with just about everybody for the past two months.

Kevin Correia on the mound tonight against the Snakes.

Venable ... Bomb

Our boy Will Venable already hit a bomb tonight against the Rockies. The Drinos lead 2-0 in the bottom of the third. Stauffer is pitching a gem.

The Drinos will need to stay vigilant, however, because these Rockies don't give up easily.

Man, they're annoying.

The Headster Brings His Hit Show To Colorado

Last night Chase "Headster" Headley helped the Padres win a critical series against the Pittsburgh Buccos by going 5 for 6 with a bomb, 3 dobles, a couple runs scored and a couple ribeyes. He had a shot at the cycle when he stepped to the plate in the top of the 11th, but was forced to settle for a go-ahead double because A-Gon was on the basepaths in front of him, and that's like being behind a slow Mexican-American dude.

Now the Padres head to the mountains to take on the NL Wild Card-leading Rockies.

I expect Chase will continue his barrage.

Peter King Must Be Kidding

I note that Peter King's "Fine 15" today did not include everyone's favorite team, the San Diego Super Chargers.

Here was my response to that omission that I penned to my advisors Tatt Mareeco, Father D.P. McGillicutty, Tam O'Flannell and Geleaux at 11:05 AM EDT.

Peter King puts the Ravens at #1 in his Fine 15 but the Bolts don't even make it? The Bolts could have won that game just as easily as the Ravens. Is he really telling me that one stupid tackle by Ray Lewis (on a missed block by a backup offensive lineman) is the difference between the Chargers being probably 5 or 6 in the ranking and not even making it? Meanwhile other teams that made it include: Green Bay (lost at home to the Bengals and should have lost at home to the Bears), the Bears (who won a soggy rain soaked game at home only because Jeff Reed got the jimmy leg), the Eagles (who got obliterated), the Pats (who have not looked good other than for about 3 minutes at the end of their first game) and Tennessee (who has yet to win a game).

Is he kidding?

I submit to you that yes, he must be kidding.

A-Gon ... Yard Early In The Burgh

Adrian smoked a 2-run bomb in the first inning tonight in Pittsburgh.

Drinos lead 3-1 in the 6th. A win tonight will make them 12-6 in September.

Did I mention the Padres are my favorite team from San Diego?

(Aw c'mon. I kid the Chargers.)

No Jamal For The Season

And the hits just keep on comin'.

Bring On The Ravinians

LT is not playing Sunday. Neither are Nick Hardwick and Travis Johnson.

Yeah, I'm real worried.

I don't know if people fully realize yet the pure sick ridiculous power of this Chargers team. It's like people watched part of the first quarter of the Raiders game, saw the Raiders rush for a few yards, and then automatically concluded this Bolts team isn't as good as people thought.

Right. And I'm not sitting at home on a Friday night blogging about a sports team.

Fact is this Bolts team is going to roll heavy on Sunday, with or without LT.

Mark it down.

Last Year ... This Year

One of the sneaky great cities of the world is Pittsburgh, PA. I mean, sure, Stillers fans are total jimmybrones, but the city of Pittsburgh has a lot going for it. The three rivers, for example, a nice looking skyline, a bunch of universities, and a midwestern-feel-yet-eastern-time-zone attitude.

Not too shabby.

The reason I bring this up is because, as you know, the Padres are in Pittsburgh this weekend for a four-game set with the Buccos. Last year at this time, as you may not know, I went to the Burgh with my advisors Geleaux and Father D.P. McGillicutty for the Padres-Buccos series. That was one of the great weekend baseball trips of all time. Sadly, we could not make it happen this year, but I assure you, the Burgh has not seen the last of the Bevormo and his advisors.

I also note the Chargers are better than the Steelers.

Take care.

Illini News ... Not All Of It Good

Some important Illini news on this 17th day of September, 2009.

First off, Martez Wilson is out for the season with a herniated disk in his neck. Bodes well for the next two games against Ohio St. and Penn St.

Next up, John Supinie says that Alex Legion can start for the Illini this season ... if he earns it.

Also, the dude who spearheaded the fight against the Chief passed away.

Here's an optimistic article that notes the Illini football team has 8 games remaining against bowl teams from last season.

Finally, a solid article about Red Grange. What a beast.

Illini football has the week off. They need it.

Luis Durango ... Have A Debut!

Quite a debut for Luis Durango.

In his first Major League start, Durango played left field and smoked to the tune of 3-4, with 2 runs scored, including stealing second and scoring the winning run on an Everth Cabrera single with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th.

Here's how Ted Leitner called it as Durango crossed the plate:

"Speed! Speed! Speed! You either got it or you don't. You can't coach it. They got it. With Cabrera, they got it with Gwynn and Venable, and maybe the fastest of all, Luis Durango, who got the bag at second, flying home to win the ballgame 6-5 in the bottom of the 10th! Magic time for the Padres!"

Well said, Ted.

Bolts v. Raiduhs Shall Commence Shortly

That's right, Lance. The Bolts play the Raiders in just about an hour and a half's time.

And yes, they are wearing the powder blues from 1963.

So choice.

Not Must Win ... Must Dominate

Growing up in Peoria, IL, home of the Bradley Braves and just a quarter of an hour from Bloomington, IL, home of the Illinois St. Redbirds, I am very familiar with all things Missouri Valley and all things Central Illinois.

I'll say this much: ISU usually has a basketball team that is competitive and a source of pride for the school.

That is not true of the football team.

If the Illini don't come out tomorrow and administer a beatdown, I will be highly disappointed.

Charges Dismissed

The San Diego County D.A. is not bringing charges against Shawne Merriman regarding the Tila Tequila situation.

Of course they aren't.

Football on Monday night in Oaktown.

Where Is Everybody?

Roll call:

- Kevin Correia is on the mound against the San Francisco Baseball Giants, losing 2-1 in the top of the 3rd;

- my advisor Tatt Mareeco is sitting on his sofa watching Rafael Nadal play in the U.S. Open;

- my advisor Geleaux is sitting on his sofa watching the Giants-Padres game and watching Rafael Nadal play in the U.S. Open;

- my wife, Mrs. Bevormo, is at the U.S. Open with some friends watching Rafael Nadal play live in the U.S. Open; and

- I am sitting in my office at 10:58 PM EST doing the Man's work under flourescent lightbulbs and surrounded by reams of paper and the roar of the night cleaning crew vaccuming the hallway carpet.

Awesome.

PS - E-mail sent from my wife to me about an hour ago:

"U.S. Open celebs in attendance (in no particular order): The Donald, Michael Phelps, Tony Bennett, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.

"Bevormo's office celebs in attendance: none."

Ouch.

These Padres Aren't Too Shabby

I did a little reading on the red eye flight back from L.A. and came upon this incredible set of statistics:

- since July 28, the Padres have the 4th best record in all of baseball (22-15 before Sunday night's game against the hated Dadgers);

- the Padres have won nine of their last 12 games; and

- the Padres have won nine of their last 12 series.

That's quite a run by the young Drinos. It's happening with a lot of the same position players who look to make up next summer's roster: Adrian Gonzalez, David Eckstein, Everth Cabrera, Will Venable, Tony Gwynn, Jr., Chase Headley and/or Kevin Kouzmanoff (that will be interesting), Nick Hundley and, until last week, Kyle Blanks. On the pitching side, Mat Latos, Clayton Richard, Kevin Correia and Tim Stauffer - all guys who figure into the rotation mix in 2010 - are pitching well enough to keep the Drinos in ballgames. The bullpen guys - Luke Gregerson, Adam Russell, Ed Mujica, Joe Thatcher, Heath Bell - will all be back next season.

In sum, I'm already stoked for 2010, but I'm just as stoked for the final 3 weeks of the year. Despite today's loss to the Gints, the Padres will be competitive and will have a say in what team makes the NL Wild Card.

Nice job, Kevin Towers, putting together a team with some potential.

Juice And Rejus And The Boys Aren't Ready

Objectively speaking, that was the worst Illini performance - in every single facet of the game - since the 33-0 drubbing the team took at Rutgers in September 2006.

I have nothing more to say about that.

Juice And Rejus And The Boys Are Ready

It's not often - at least in Illini country - that your favorite squad brings back two legitimate superstars that are leaders, that have experience and that have the talent to absolutely dominate the league. No one in the national media is mentioning it, but both Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn are Heisman capable. Rejus Benn will be a top 10 NFL pick next season and Juice, by the end of this season, will hold every single relevant quarterback record in the history of Illini football.

What. A pair. Of beasts.

But the Illini don't stop there. Zook has given new offensive coordinator, Mike Schultz, a stunning array of depth on offense. At QB, if something were to happen to Juice, Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest are waiting in the wings, Eddie with proven ability and Jacob, by all accounts, a kid with a big-time arm.

At running back, the Illini go at least four deep: Daniel Dufrene (who may be out today against Missou), Troy Pollard, Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford, will all get carries and all have big game skill. True frosh Justin Green is a pure burner that may be the best of the bunch. No shortage there.

Receiver is an embarrassment of riches. It starts with Benn but #2 guy, Jerred Fayson, the Florida transfer, is another stud who has been waiting patiently for a year to step on the field and make plays. You can't double team Benn because of Fayson and that's going to open up some huge plays. Let's not forget A.J. Jenkins, Jeff Cumberland, Jack Ramsey, Fred Sykes, Chris Duvalt, Cordale Scott and tight-end Michael Hoomanawanui. All are monsters and make up one of the deepest receiving units in the country. Juice just has to decide where to throw and the rest will take care of itself.

The O-Line returns 3 starters and is filled with big guys with experience: Jon Asamoah, Ryan Palmer, Eric Block, Randall Hunt, Jeff Allen, Jack Cornell, Corey Lewis, Craig Wilson and Graham Pocic. All are capable of moving mountains. All are mountains. Juice should have time to throw and room to run all season.

I like the defenese too. The D-Line has some legit, albeit young, talent. Josh Brent and Corey Liuget could be first team all Big Ten. Doug Pilcher and Sirod Williams add upper-class experience. Then you toss in Clay Nurse and Antonio James, and you have a solid core group. A lot is riding on these guys to plug the middle and put pressure on opposing QBs. If Brent and Liuget are as good as I think they are, this unit will surprise people.

Linebacker might be the key to the entire season. If Martez Wilson - taking over the MLB position from Brit Miller - plays like the Simeon Rice-type athlete he is, then all will be good in Illini-land. He has the strength and moves to get to the QB from anywhere on the field and the speed and quickness to track down running backs from sideline to sideline. The rest of the LBs - Ian Thomas, Aaron Gress, Nate Bussey, Russell Ellington, Evan Frierson - are all pretty young and lack extensive playing experience. Their developing maturity and playmaking skill, as I wrote above, may be the key to the defense's success or failure this season.

The secondary loses Vontae but may be improved overall. It's a shame that Miami Thomas went down and is out for a second straight season, but the unit still has talent. Tavon Wilson, Donsay Hardeman and Dere Hicks have playmaking skill. Highly rated frosh Terry Hawthorne, recruited by many as a wideout, has good hands and good speed and may get playing time at DB. Frosh Joelil Thrash also impressed coaches in training camp. One or both of those guys will have to contribute for the DB unit to succeed on the field.

As for today against Missou, I see a few keys to the game for the Illini:

1. Juice must limit his picks. If Juice has two or more TD passes than he does picks, the Illini will win. My guess is he will have 4 TD passes and 1 pick today. I can live with that ratio.

2. Martez has to make some tackles in the backfield. If Martez gets to the Missou running backs a few times behind the line, that should set the tone for the defense the entire season.

3. The DBs need to show they can cover the Missou wideouts. Chase Daniel carved up the Illini last season, and the new QB, Gabbert, also has a big arm. Someone in the Illini defensive backfield has to make a play today.

Overall, I say the Illini win 42 - 24.

Get r dun Juice and Rejus.

LA LA

I am in Los Angeles.

And so are the Padres.

LeBlanc v. Kershaw in about an hour.

Tim Stauffer + Clayton Richad + Kevin Correia = Nats Dominance

Tim "Stouffer". That's what Nats announcer Rob Dibble called Tim Stauffer on Monday night. Apparently no one in the Nats' broadcasting truck bothered to correct Dibble, because he must have said "Stouffer" about 16 times.

That's okay. I always liked Norm Charlton better anyway.

But I digress. More important than any name calling was the performance by the starting Padre pitchers during the series against the Nats. Tim, Clayton Richard and Kevin Correia all dominated. Their individual lines looked this:

Stauffer: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 Ks
Richard: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 Ks
Correia: 7.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 Ks

Yes, this all happened against the Nats, and while playing at Petco Park. But life's too short to discount good pitching performances. I'd rather spend my time celebrating them.

Nicely done, boys.

Who Is This Oscar Salazar Fellow?

It flew under the radar in the mainstream press, but KT dumped Cla Meredith on the O's last month and, in the process, picked up the above-pictured Oscar Salazar.

Yet another KT snake in a long line of KT snakes.

Since joining the Drinos, Oscar is smoking to the tune of .333/.356/.524. He also made an incredible, over-the-shoulder, knee-banging-against-the-wall, game-saving catch in left field last night, and, tonight, hit a big solo bomb in the bottom of the 7th to give the Pads a 3-1 lead.

A quick perusal of the Internet tells me that Oscar has been a journeyman since debuting in the Bigs back in '02. He has bounced around the minors and played in the Mexican League, and now is getting a bit of an extended shot with the Drinos.

Might he be a pinch-hitter, utility guy on a pennant-contending Drino team in 2010?

I believe he might.