Trevor Time In San Diego, Hoffman Picks Up #506

Hells Bells Rang in San Diego on Monday July 2nd as the Padres beat the Florida Marlins 3-1.  Hoffman picked up career save #506 and #24 of the 2007 season putting him on pace to close out more than 50 this season.  The Padres scratched together three runs in support of David Wells who threw an impressive six and two thirds surrendering only five hits, no runs with an impressive six K’s.  Hoffman trotted from the bullpen in the ninth to Trevor Time and retired the Marlins in order moving his ERA to an impressive 1.97 on the season.

Four In A Row For Hoffman, Save #505

In a match-up of National League West aces Jake Peavy and Brad Penny that lived up to its billing, Trevor Hoffman slammed the door on the dodgers in the bottom of the 12th to earn his career save #505 and #23 on the season.  Peavy and Penny produced nearly identical lines with each staff ace going seven strong, surrendering only 5 hits and one run.  Penny had the edge in strikeouts with seven, but Peave only issued one walk vs. Penny’s two walks.  Both pitchers have been named to the All Star game along with MLB’s all time save leader, Trevor Hoffman.  The Padres got two runs in the top of the twelth and Hoffman sat down the rival dogers in order in the bottom of the inning for the save.

Hoffman Trifecta Puts Padres in First

Trevor Hoffman picked up his 504th career save and 22nd on the 2007 season to close down the rival dodgers 7-6 at Dodger stadium. Hoffman has picked up three saves in a row against NL West opponents and the Padres sit alone atop the division. The Padres new look offense with Brian Giles leading off showed some signs of life scoring six runs in the fourth including a three run shot from Kevin Kouzmanoff. With Chris Young throwing well a Hoffman save was not likely as the Padres build a solid lead. When normally sturdy relievers Cla Meredith and Royce Ring gave up three runs, Hoffman was summoned for the ninth with a two run Padre lead. Hoffman did give up one run but induced a weak pop up from Luis Gonzalez to record his 18th save in a row for the San Diego Padres. Tonight, Jake Peavy and Brad Penny lock up in what just may be the game to determine who starts the All Star game for the National League. One thing is for sure, the probability seeing Trevor Hoffman or Dodger closer Takashi Saito is pretty high.

Back to Back Saves For Hoffman in SF

Future hall of famers Greg Maddux and Trevor Hoffman hooked up for a 4-2 Padres victory in San Fransico today as the Padres took two of three from the rival Giants.  Maddux went seven strong and Hoffman picked up career save #503 and #21 of the season.  The Padres got offensive support from a surging Khalil Greene who went deep for the 13th time this season.  Maddux improves to 7-4 for the season giving up five hits and one run over seven innings with Hoffman dropping the Giants 1,2,3 in the ninth for his second consecutive save against former skipper Bruce Bochy.  With the save today Trevor Hoffman moves into a tie with Takaishi Saito of the Dodgers (who lost against Arizona) for third most in the National League.  The Padres travel south to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers in a key divisional weekend series.  Look for good pitching and for Hoffman to stay hot and pick up a save or two in LA.

Past Padre Almost Spoils Trevor’s Save #502

Yesterday in San Francisco Trevor Hoffman picked up save #502 against the Giants and his former manager Bruce Bochy.  The game featured a match-up of veteran lefties David Wells and Barry Zito who both pitched well.  The Padres picked up a trio of long balls from Mike Cameron, Khalil Green and rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff who went yard in the top of the 10th which proved to be the game winner for the Padres and also set up the save for Hoffman.  Bochy and the Giants did not have to endure Trevor Time at ATT park, but seeing his former closer enter the game must have brought mixed emotions to the Giants manager.  Hoffman quickly got two outs in the bottom of the 10th when former team-mate, Dave Roberts came to the plate.  Roberts singled up the middle on a one one pitch and a fleet of foot tying run was on first base.  Roberts picked up 49 stolen bags for Bochy and the Padres in 2006 and had the green light with two outs in the tenth.  Padres newcomer Michael Barret, who has been successful throwing out would be base stealers for the Pads thus far, fired a strike to Marcus Giles who tagged Roberts out for the last out and Hoffman’s 502nd career save and his 20th on the 2007 campaign.  The win put the Padres 1/2 a game out in the NL west behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trevor Hoffman Gets #501 In Controversial Game

Hoffman got save #501 against the Chicago Cubs today at Wrigley field to give the Padres a 1-0 victory. Russell Branyan went yard against Carlos Zambrano in the top of the ninth inning to seal the victory for the Padres. Zambrano had a no hitter going through seven strong innings but the controversy came in the fourth inning. Chris Young, who also had a no-no going drilled Cub first baseman Derrek Lee who had words for Young. Young did not back down and Lee charged the mound and threw a punch that was countered by Young, the benches cleared and in the end, Young, Lee, Cubs coach Gerald Perry and Padres Ace Jake Peavy were ejected from the game. Although it is unlikely that Young would intentionally hit Lee at that point in the game, emotions were running hot since Alfonso Sorianno showed up Boomer Wells after hitting a home run in the previous game. Peavy and Wells’ anger at Soriano’s tactics were made public and this may have been the catalyst for today’s scuffle. In the end howver, the Padres bullpen held up and the Friars even the series with the Cubs and move half a game back of the Dodgers who are locked up with the Angels at Dodger stadium.

Future Hall Of Famers Link Up For Save #500

Trevor Hoffman earned is 500th career save giving Greg Maddux career win number 338. Hoffman saved his second consecutive game against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in a 5-2 Padres victory in front of 31,000 fans at PetCo Park. Maddux went a strong 6 and 1/3 innings and was picked up by the Padre bullpen including scoreless outings by Heath Bell, Scott Linebrink and Hoffman. Hoffman entered to hells bells in the ninth and got Russell Martin looking on a fastball that pained the outside corner for save #500. Hoffman was triumphantly carried off of the field by his team as a banner was raised in honor of this milestone. The Maddux win and Hoffman save put the Padres 1.5 games ahead of the Dodgers in the National League West.