Bochy Praises Pitchers

In spite of the loss of lefty Shawn Estes until June, it appears, with an elbow strain, starting pitching -- the area of deepest concern all spring and into the season -- is rounding nicely into shape for the Padres, manager Bruce Bochy observed brightly.
"I think they've been doing a nice job," Bochy said, looking forward to ace Jake Peavy's fifth start Tuesday night against the Diamondbacks. "Really, all of them are throwing well. I'm very encouraged by the way our starters are throwing."
Chan Ho Park has had three solid starts since coming out of the bullpen, reminding Bochy of the Park who averaged 15 wins for five seasons with the Dodgers (1997-2001) before experiencing physical and pitching problems in Texas.
"That's very similar to how he threw with the Dodgers," Bochy said. "He's got good stuff. The stuff was there [in Texas]. It's one of those deals where the change of scenery was good for him. He's comfortable over here, very focused. I think Chan Ho's going to have a nice year."
Showing Bochy "a lot of stamina and strength," Park threw 119 pitches in Monday night's loss to the Diamondbacks, missing his first complete game since 2001 by one out. He has walked only three men while striking out 19 in 25 1/3 innings.
Woody Williams, another veteran coming off a disappointing 2005 season, is recapturing his St. Louis form of 2001-04 with three excellent outings. Incorporating a knuckleball into his repertoire, Williams has a 3.15 ERA, best among the club's starters, with seven walks and 14 strikeouts in 20 innings.
Chris Young, hindered by a circulation problem in his pitching thumb in his most recent outing against the Mets, delivered two of the team's best starts in Florida and Colorado, surrendering two runs and six hits in 13 combined innings.
Young, who hopes medication returns circulation to the thumb in time for his assignment Friday night against the Dodgers, has 19 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings while limiting opponents to a .198 batting average -- truer indicators of his stuff than his 4.03 ERA.
The newest member of the rotation, Clay Hensley, has responded well to the challenge in two starts. Fighting food poisoning in Denver, he went four solid innings and came back with an effective 5 1/3 innings in Sunday's win against the Mets.
With his sinking fastball and assortment of off-speed stuff, Hensley has kept hitters off balance and has put together a remarkable stat: no homers yielded in 62 Major League innings. His 6.28 ERA is skewed by one bad relief effort against the Rockies when he gave up four hits and two runs without getting an out.
"Next time out [scheduled for Saturday night against the Dodgers], Clay can go 100 pitches," said Bochy, who has had the Texan building his arm strength gradually after leaving his setup role to Alan Embree. "He's in the rotation for a while."
Roberts sits: Against his will, Dave Roberts was given Tuesday night off by Bochy on the recommendation of the medical staff. Roberts, who will be back in the lineup Wednesday, yielded left field and the leadoff spot to Eric "The Judge" Young, who, gavel in hand, conducted kangaroo court before the game.
Roberts, off to a solid start batting .266 with a .338 on-base mark, had treatment for what he called "minimal swelling in my knee" and said he was "overruled" in his effort to make the start. He has career-highs of four homers and 21 RBIs against the Diamondbacks.
"We are becoming active on the basepaths," said Roberts, thrown out stealing on a pitchout Monday night to end the club's streak of successful steals at 17. "We've only had the lineup together for a few days. We haven't come close to playing our type of baseball.
"Now that we're getting good starting pitching, we need to step up the offense."
Roberts applauded center fielder Mike Cameron's performance -- two doubles, a steal of third and a run scored -- Monday night in his second game as a Padre after coming back from a strained left oblique.
"Cam put on a nice show," Roberts said. "We're looking forward to getting this lineup rolling."
Piazza late scratch: Mike Piazza also got the night off, with Doug Mirabelli catching Peavy and Vinny Castilla in the cleanup spot. Piazza is expected to start Wednesday's matinee against veteran right-hander Orlando Hernandez. ... Bochy said "chances are good" that Young will make his start Friday night against L.A., assuming he responds favorably to medication after throwing in the bullpen Tuesday. ... Bochy thinks his defense "could be as good as any we've had," nominating the '96 and '98 NL West champs as the best defensive clubs he has managed.