San Diego Padres Woes: Can I Get an Offense?

Twenty-two innings.

Twenty-two hard fought, will testing, gut wrenching innings.

The San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies got together on Thursday night for the longest major league baseball game since 1993, when the Twins beat the Indians 5-4.

Frustratingly, this six-hour marathon had less offense. Through the two-and-a-half game long contest the Padres posted 11 hits...and only one run. Padres fans around the globe let out a collective groan, especially those that stayed until it was all over at 1:21 in the morning. 

Perhaps no single contest could better sum up the plight of Padres fans. Cy Young winner Jake Peavy pitched eight scoreless innings, and his offense aided him with no runs and a no decision for his efforts.

In the Padres defense the held the Rockies to one run through 14 innings and 2 runs through 22. However we have known for quite sometime that they can play great defense and pitch phenomenal. Its their futility on offense that needs to be addressed and soon. 

Through 18 games, Padres fans have seen the great pitching they are accustomed to from Jake Peavy (3-0, 1.20 ERA, 27 SO) and the rest of the Padres pitchers.

They have also witnessed the regular stagnant offense, but at an all-time low level. Through 18 games, here is what the Padres have to show on offense

• 27th in Average (.238)
• 30th/Last in slugging percentage (.323)
• 28th in On Base Percentage (.299)
• 27th in stolen bases (5)
• 29th in Total Bases (205)
• 29th in RBI's (52)
• T-29th in HR (8) NOTE: Khalil Greene (27 HRs in 07) is the player with the most HRs from last year not to have hit one this year
• 18th in Hits
• T-30th in Runs (53)
• Have posted three or fewer runs in 12 of 18 games

I think you get the picture. The Padres cannot score to save their lives and their lack of offense may just cost them any hope they have of reaching the playoffs.

Their standout pitching can only carry them so far and its gotten them all the way to a 8-10 start, five and one-half games back of Arizona in the NL West. 

If ,manager Bud Black and GM Kevin Towers cannot get this team some offense and fast, they can start making vacation plans for this fall, or at least by a new couch and TV.

That's exactly where they will be come playoff time, munching on popcorn watching the teams that can actually circle the bases.