PADRES SEEING RED AGAIN AND SO ARE THE FANS

I really am at a loss as to what to say about last night's game. An attendance of a a little over 17,000 watched in horror, as did I, the Padres leave the bases loaded in the 9th and again in the 10th inning.

Then things got worse when Luebke, who was pitching for the Padres got two outs and then an offensive explosion by the Reds won the game for them by a score of 8-2.

Even the Swinging Friar got the camera ready to record the event- it had to be one of the most heart wrenching games I have seen a long time.

I personally, as a fan, am tired of excuses.

I know it's only the 11th game today but Buddy Black has to do something about Ludwick and Hawpe- especially when they come in and kill a 2-out bases loaded rally.

These are veteran players that should be able to hit in clutch situations...and hell isn't that what we paid for when we got Ludwick?

So instead of reliving that game- you can read about what happened elsewhere...let's take a look at today's game.

The line-up is changed a bit again today and Will Venable and Nick Hundley (two of the people that actually get hits and get off base) are off!

Meanwhile Denorfia is in to play for Venable and Johnson will be the man behind the plate catching.

Ryan Ludwick is in the line-up again today. That poor man needs a day off just to chill out. It is apparent that both he and Hawpe are frustrated at the plate.

Ludwick is getting better though. The batting average may not reflect that at .094 but a couple of hits he had last night, in any other ballpark would have been home runs.

The guy is just having a string of bad luck. He needs a day off and I would have given him today off so he would be mentally fresh when he goes with the team to Houston this week. I suspect in Houston his long fly ball outs may be home runs...but we have to wait and see.

Batting lead off today is Cameron Maybin and I am happy about that.

I think this guy, was getting settled in the role, is capable of being a lead off hitter. He just has to be very, very patient at the plate and work the count.

He doesn't have to hit the big hit but just get on base. Cameron has good speed and he is a spunky kid so I like the possibilities of him being aggressive and stealing bases.

Will Venable is a good lead off player as well but I would like to see Will batting 5 or 6th to give that middle of the line-up a bit of help.

Bartlett feels better and he is back in the line-up batting 2nd today.

So we will see if the changes work out today.

Here is today's line-up:

MAYBIN-BARLETT-HUDSON-CANTU-LUDWICK-HEADLEY-DENORFIA-JOHNSON-AND STAUFFER WHO WILL BE STARTING AS THE PITCHER TODAY.

Game starts at 3:35pm PT and it can't be any worse than yesterday- maybe the team will surprise us as they wrap up the home-stand and get at least one win in the series with the new Big Red Machine- the Cincinnati Reds.

PLAY BALL!