There are bad stretches. There are slumps. Then there is the April that Kevin Kouzmanoff had. In 71 at bats during baseball’s opening month, Kouzmanoff had only four RBIs and one, count ’em one, run. All while hitting .113. And while manager Bud Black would continue to iterate that it was just part of baseball, that the rookie third baseman would eventually turn things around, at some point one had to wonder how long it would be before the cries of “Kooooouz” you hear at Petco Park would slowly morph into actual boos.
To his credit, Kouzmanoff didn’t lose faith and continued to take his swings and play hard in the field each day. And then, somewhere along the way, it happened. He started swinging the bat like the Padres organization knew he could when they acquired him in the off-season. His surge is one of the main reasons San Diego is now tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West, as of May 28, as both teams sit at 29-21.
This month, Kouzmanoff is hitting .321, and in the last seven days, he has three home runs and seven RBIs, including a grand slam on May 25 against Milwaukee. By adding 18 RBIs this month, he now sits at 22, one shy of the second-most on the team.
“All along we’ve had a lot of faith in Kouz,” Black said. “He kept believing, and now you’re seeing what’s happening. A lot of people think he’s on a hot streak. We think this is what he’s capable of.”
It sounds simple, but it seems all it took was a little patience and time to adjust.
“I’m feeling more and more comfortable,” Kouzmanoff ad-mitted. “After a game, I’m excited for the next one.”
It seems that having another reliable source for offense is just what the team needs, because it’s becoming apparent that this year’s staff is going to put the team in a position to win on any given night.
Led by staff ace Jake Peavy, whose seven wins and 1.47 ERA lead the NL, the Friars sport the major league’s best team ERA at 3.00, a full run ahead of the league average of 4.26. Peavy was voted National League Pitcher of the Month for May, his second honor in that category.
While Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux and David Wells continue to pitch well, lately a newcomer has joined the party. Rookie Justin Germano is 3-0 in four starts since being called up from Triple-A Portland for a start against the Atlanta Braves. His ERA over those starts is a microscopic 1.08. His stellar play raises questions as to how the rotation will shake out once starting pitcher Clay Hensley returns from a stint on the disabled list this month.
Too many quality starting pitchers, however, is a problem that any manager in the league would love to have. Additionally, the bullpen continues to shine. The Padres also led the league bullpen ERA (2.26) and opponents’ batting average (.192).
It’s still early in the season and questions remain for San Diego as they do for every other team. But this year’s Padres team has the look of one built around dominant starting pitching and a solid bullpen. So, a word to the wise for Padres fans “” get used to low-scoring games and dynamite pitching matchups. And get used to a lot more Padres victories.
SIDE NOTES
First baseman Adrian Gonzalez continues to blister the ball in what looks like a breakout season. His .302 average, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs and 60 hits all lead the team “¦ Jake Peavy’s 85 strikeouts in 11 starts put him one shy of the major league lead, behind Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels “¦ Shortstop Khalil Greene pulled off one of the best defensive plays of the season to date on Tuesday, May 22. Greene ranged to his left and scooped up a grounder off the bat of Chicago’s Ryan Theriot. He then leaped and made a spectacular 360-degree spin in the air while turning to deliver a throw to first in time to beat the speedy Theriot. Greene’s gem was awarded the Top Play of the night on ESPN’s SportsCenter with the words “That’s as good a play as a major league shortstop can make. A fabulous play.” “¦ Mike Cameron appears to have ended his power drought along with Kouzmanoff. In 96 May at-bats, Cameron has blasted four home runs and knocked in 15 “¦ Right fielder Brian Giles was placed on the 15-day DL on Saturday, May 25, with a bone bruise in his right knee. Paul McAnulty was recalled from Triple-A Portland “¦ Closer Trevor Hoffman, the major leagues all-time saves leader, is just three away from his milestone 500th.
