Adam Ulrey's Montreal Expos Diary

August 17, 2002 - Game 122
Padres score four runs late to slip past Expos 6-5

  The San Diego Padres got a record-setting performance from one of their recent call-ups from the minors. Reliever Jonathon Johnson (1-0), whose contract was purchased from the Portland Beavers their Tripe-A farm team earlier in the day, became the 33rd different pitcher to appear in a game for the Padres this season. Johnson, who pitched a perfect seventh, took over from starter Mike Bynum, who made his major league debut. San Diego broke the Cleveland Indians record of 32 pitchers during the 2000 season.

The big blow for the Padres came from little known Gene Kingsdale who hit a two-run double that capped the Padres four-run eighth inning as San Diego came back to top the Expos 6-5 on Saturday night. Trailing 4-2, Phil Nevin started the ball rolling with a solo homer off of T.J. Tucker in the eighth. One out later, Bubba Trammell walked and reliever Matt Herges replaced Tucker. Herges (2-5) got Devi Cruz to fly out to right fielder Wil Cordero, who was starting for the injured Vladimir Guererro. The problem with that is Guerrero is one of the best right fielders in the game with a cannon for an arm and well Cordero is none of the above. He showed why by misplaying the routine fly into a three-base error as Trammell scored the tying run from first.

Cordero would not talk to reporters after the game, but Expos manager Frank Robinson would. "Those are the plays you expect people to make, no matter who's out there, and we didn't get it done," Robinson said. "It cost us the ballgame." As you can see Robinson holds nothing back. I like the fact that he tells it like it is. Cordero has been playing this game too long to make such a horrible play on a routine fly ball.

Guerrero didn't start for just the second time this season because of a strained shoulder. They hope to have him back in the lineup for Sunday's game. The Padres managed 9 hits with the 3-4-5 hitters, Ryan Klesko, Phil Nevin and Ron Gant all driving in one run each. Bynum was not bad for his first major league start going six innings giving up six hits and four runs. Britt Reames rebounded nicely form his last start where he didn't get past the second inning, going five today. He gave up six hits and just two runs, while striking out 5. The bullpen didn't do a bad job going 4 innings giving up three hits, but because of Cordero's error the Padres were able to steal this game. Brad Wilkerson and Jose Macias each had home runs. For Wilkerson it was his 14th on the season and Macias cranked his 6th of the year.

The Expos activated Tony Armas Jr. from the disabled list and put T.J. Tucker on the DL. The loss also dropped the Expos to two games under .500 at 60-62.