Correia looking like an Ace

Saturday June 27, 2009

San Diego Padres starter Kevin Correia threw 7 strong innings tonight giving up just 5 hits, 1 BB and 3 runs while striking out a career high 9. The bullpen got a much needed rest tonight with Mujica and Adams combining for 2 scoreless innings.

The bats came alive tonight with the Padres getting 7 runs on 16 hits with 6 of those runs coming by the 5th inning. The 5 through 9 hitters combined for 12 of hits with Kouzmanoff and Headley going 3 for 5.

The Padres top prospect, Kyle Blanks, went 2 for 5 with 2 doubles and 3 rbi and just missed getting his 1st major league home run on a deep fly to straightaway center field.

Scott Hairston continued his hitting woes since coming off the DL going 0 for 5 tonight and 2 for 20 with 5 k's in 5 games. His BA for the season dropped below .300 for the 1st time since April 9th.

For the month of June, Kevin Correia has lowered his ERA more than 1 full point from 5.37 on June 1st to 4.23 after today's game. During that stretch he has had 5 straight quality starts and tonight was the only one in which he gave up 3 runs.

With both Peavy and Young expected to be out until after the All Star break, Correia is the Padres acting Ace and he sure is pitching like one this month.