Tadahito Iguchi's return to the starting lineup, hastened by Khalil Greene's fractured hand, came sooner than the Padres planned. Iguchi played in only three minor league games – at least four fewer than targeted when he reported to Single-A Lake Elsinore on Monday.
Iguchi spoke with assurance last night before appearing in his first Padres game since June 5, when he separated his right shoulder.
“I felt real good,” said the second baseman, who went 4-for-10 for the Storm with two home runs. “I had good at-bats.
“My shoulder is fine. At times it would get stiff, especially when I got out of bed, but it's 100 percent.”
As an unusually active game unfolded last night, Iguchi clearly was in a different galaxy from the Cal League. Speedy Giants baserunners challenged him defensively. Giants pitcher Barry Zito, for the most part, overwhelmed him.
Iguchi's best response on a difficult night came in the third inning, when Giants speedster Emmanuel Burriss tested him after channeling Deion Sanders, who as a Reds baserunner once advanced from first to third against the Padres via a soft ground ball to shortstop. Burriss tried to go from first to third on a sacrifice bunt – but Iguchi, after fielding Jake Peavy's throw to first base, cut him down.
It was payback. Burriss, whose athleticism at second base was striking, had made a diving catch to deny Iguchi a hit in the first. Following that at-bat, Iguchi hit into a double play and struck out twice.
One inning before his deft grab and flip denied the relentless Burriss a bunt single in the eighth, Iguchi came up short on a key defensive play in the seventh. He caught a one-hop throw from catcher Josh Bard before baserunner Fred Lewis arrived at second, but didn't tag Lewis in time. The Giants parlayed that stolen base into a run that broke a scoreless tie.
Notes
Rookie catcher Nick Hundley is throwing faster than the major league average; one of his throw-outs of a Giants runner on Friday was clocked at 1.87 seconds, about .13 to .18 better than average. “He's got a good release,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, a former Padres catcher.
Asked if Giants ace Tim Lincecum reminds him of any pitchers from his generation, Padres hitting coach Wally Joyner said: “How many Hall of Famers should I name? He's the best guy in the league right now. I can't think of anybody better.” Said Padres manager Bud Black: “Lot of fast-twitch fibers in that body, man.” In four games against the Padres this season, Lincecum is 1-0 with a 1.03 ERA.
Padres rookie Josh Banks has shaved his release time from a tedious 1.75 seconds to 1.45. “I want it a little lower, me personally,” Black said. “But Rome wasn't built in a day.”
The Padres have discussed acquiring shortstop Felipe Lopez via a waiver claim; the last-place Nationals waived him Thursday.
The Padres' home game on Aug. 17 against the Phillies has been moved to 5:05 p.m. It will be televised by ESPN instead of Channel 4 San Diego.
Tom Krasovic: (619) 293-2207; tom.krasovic@uniontrib.com
