yagsy
04-23-2005, 10:59 AM
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20050423-9999-1s23padside.html
At Petco Park, especially, team to use running game
By Bill Center
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
April 23, 2005
PHOENIX – If it seems the Padres are more active on the Petco Park basepaths this season, it is because they are.
In eight home games the Padres have stolen seven bases – including five in a single game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
And it's not just steals. It's going from first to third, trying to take the extra base on a fly, putting runners in motion with the pitch.
"If the ballpark takes away the home run, you have to find other ways to create runs," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said yesterday. "The park itself creates opportunities. And we emphasized during spring training that we have to take advantage of what's there to take.
"We're not a fast team. But we can run the bases. We have guys who know how to run . . . how important that is."
Players like Mark Loretta, whose five steals in 16 games this season match his totals for the past two years.
"I don't think it's necessarily how many steals we have," said Loretta. "What we want to be is more aggressive on the bases. Particularly at Petco Park, we have to move up a base whenever we can.
"And even if we're not running, if the opposition thinks we might be, it could be beneficial."
Said first base coach Davey Lopes: "Boch made the point as soon as we all got to spring training. We have to do some things differently at Petco Park."
Overall, the Padres are not blessed with burners.
"Only Dave Roberts and Eric Young (on the disabled list with a dislocated shoulder) have the type of speed that can disrupt the opposition," said Lopes.
"But if you run smart, you can compensate. Some of our guys want to run, like running. Ryno (Ryan Klesko), Loretta, (Brian) Giles, X (Xavier Nady). We can do enough to keep the other teams honest and create some chances."
Although the Padres' running game played a big role in one of the two wins over the Giants and Thursday night's 6-1 over the Dodgers, Bochy might have been happier with the footwork during Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Five Padres attempted to steal second. And five succeeded – Loretta twice, Giles, Klesko and Woody Williams. The count was the highest for the Padres since they stole eight bases on May 8, 2001.
All five successful thieves moved into scoring position. It was not their fault that the hitters behind them went 1-for-7 while they were perched at second.
"We're going to run to serve a purpose," said Loretta. "We're going to pick and choose. But Boch and Davey have let us know they want us to be as aggressive as we can wisely be on the bases.
"Davey's been great about giving us the heads up on openings. I think it's going to be an important part of the way we play at Petco."
After 16 games in 2004, the Padres had six steals. This year, the total is 16 . . . and running.
At Petco Park, especially, team to use running game
By Bill Center
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
April 23, 2005
PHOENIX – If it seems the Padres are more active on the Petco Park basepaths this season, it is because they are.
In eight home games the Padres have stolen seven bases – including five in a single game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
And it's not just steals. It's going from first to third, trying to take the extra base on a fly, putting runners in motion with the pitch.
"If the ballpark takes away the home run, you have to find other ways to create runs," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said yesterday. "The park itself creates opportunities. And we emphasized during spring training that we have to take advantage of what's there to take.
"We're not a fast team. But we can run the bases. We have guys who know how to run . . . how important that is."
Players like Mark Loretta, whose five steals in 16 games this season match his totals for the past two years.
"I don't think it's necessarily how many steals we have," said Loretta. "What we want to be is more aggressive on the bases. Particularly at Petco Park, we have to move up a base whenever we can.
"And even if we're not running, if the opposition thinks we might be, it could be beneficial."
Said first base coach Davey Lopes: "Boch made the point as soon as we all got to spring training. We have to do some things differently at Petco Park."
Overall, the Padres are not blessed with burners.
"Only Dave Roberts and Eric Young (on the disabled list with a dislocated shoulder) have the type of speed that can disrupt the opposition," said Lopes.
"But if you run smart, you can compensate. Some of our guys want to run, like running. Ryno (Ryan Klesko), Loretta, (Brian) Giles, X (Xavier Nady). We can do enough to keep the other teams honest and create some chances."
Although the Padres' running game played a big role in one of the two wins over the Giants and Thursday night's 6-1 over the Dodgers, Bochy might have been happier with the footwork during Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Five Padres attempted to steal second. And five succeeded – Loretta twice, Giles, Klesko and Woody Williams. The count was the highest for the Padres since they stole eight bases on May 8, 2001.
All five successful thieves moved into scoring position. It was not their fault that the hitters behind them went 1-for-7 while they were perched at second.
"We're going to run to serve a purpose," said Loretta. "We're going to pick and choose. But Boch and Davey have let us know they want us to be as aggressive as we can wisely be on the bases.
"Davey's been great about giving us the heads up on openings. I think it's going to be an important part of the way we play at Petco."
After 16 games in 2004, the Padres had six steals. This year, the total is 16 . . . and running.