I Sure Wish Jerry Hairston, Jr.'s Tibia Wasn't Fractured

This isn't good for business.

But we play on.

Tonight the Padres start the final 13-game stretch in L.A. against the Hated Dadgers. A win would be most welcome.

First Place At The All-Star Break

Yesterday, on the final day of scheduled games before the All-Star break, the Padres salvaged a win over the charging Colorado Rackies to finish the first-half of the season all alone in first place in the NL West.

Nice.

I have been watching the first-half of the season with great interest, but admittedly have had my focus drawn to the World Cup over the last month. Now that the WC is over and done with, the focus is now fully on baseball for what promises to be a solid second half of the season.

Yesterday's game, in fact, provided one of my first fist-pump moments of the season, when Rackies' pitcher Matt Belisle errantly threw to home in the top of the 8th, allowing Aaron Cunningham and Jerry Hairston, Jr. to score the tying and go-ahead runs when the ball skipped past Miguel Olivo. Then our boy Everth topped it off with a two-run pop-up bomb in the 9th to give Heath the cushion he needed to close out the game.

What a fine way to enter the break.

The second half starts for the Padres next Friday and promises to be a tense battle of wits and baseball acumen. To hold on to first place and ice the NL West, the Padres need to improve their play over the next two-and-a-half months, no small feat given their stellar play to date. Production from last August's heroes, Will Venable, Kyle Blanks and E Cab, as well as continued dominance from the starting rotation and bullpen, is a must. A trade for another starting pitcher may be in order.

Suffice to say the roster will change a bit over the next twenty days. Here's hoping Jed makes all the right moves.

Jerry Hairston, Jr. Likes Winning Very Much

I like this shot of a young Jerry Hairston, Jr. And I bet Jerry likes it too if only because it reminds him he is no longer a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

The biggest reason for the Padres' early season success is no doubt the starting and relief pitching, led by monsters such as Clayton Richard, Wade LeBlanc, Luke Gregerson and Heath Bell, but we can't sleep on the contribution by veteran utility guy Jerry Hairston, Jr.

Let's put this into focus:

- he has played a solid SS since Everth went down with an injury, with only one little hiccup in the finale of the Astros series marring his otherwise quality work;

- though his overall numbers are middling at .223/.270/.282, he has been raking some timely hits, most recently last night with his two-out double off Matty Cain that plated Will Venable and gave the Drinos a lead they would not relinquish; and

- he adds some championship lustre to the Padres clubhouse, what with the shiny new World Series ring he earned as a member of the '09 Yanquis.

In short, Jerry brings depth and a winning attitude to the Padres, something last year's squad was sorely lacking.

Today, Mat Latos leads the team against the Giants seeking a series sweep.

Let's do this.

Opening Day For The Drinos: Hairston, Jr.

Hey Jerry Hairston, Jr.,

You World Series champ, brother of Scotty Bombs, utility-man extraordinaire ... how about having a year, huh?

Today you can welcome yourself back to the NL - brandishing a World Series ring no less - and perhaps let fly with a pinch-hit bomb, or maybe a late-inning defensive stop to assist Heath finish the game off. Later in the season you may even start at 2B. Who knows what will happen?

Now get out there and go Hairston on those Diamantebacks.

Best,
Bevormo