Social Hour Extra: Long Ball Blues

By Friar Wire

By Mike Janela

Since coming over in the James Shields trade, starting pitcher Erik Johnson has not made the best first impression.

On Monday’s Social Hour, we discussed what he had to do to turn his early Padres stint around, starting with Monday’s start against the Orioles.

Let’s just say his performance didn’t go as planned. Here’s a deeper look at that talk and some things we didn’t have time for in today’s “Extra.”

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HOMERS HAMMER JOHNSON

Ahead of the series finale against the Orioles, we said Padres starter Erik Johnson needed to avoid walks and the long ball. Entering the game, the righty had issued 10 free passes in 22.1 IP this year, to go with 10 dingers. Not good. While Johnson only handed out one walk Monday — progress — he surrendered two more homers en route to allowing 6 ER over 4 IP. That now takes Johnson’s numbers with San Diego this year to 0–3 with a 9.82 ERA and 7 HR allowed in just 14.2 IP.

CAVALRY COMING

The San Diego pitching staff, once the jewel of the roster, has significantly underperformed thanks to the mounting injuries they’ve suffered.

There was good news we didn’t get a chance to break down on Monday’s show: Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner continue their marches back to health. Both are traveling with the team on the current road trip. Ross has thrown a second bullpen session, ramping up his workload to 30 pitches, all fastballs. Cashner has also begun throwing bullpen side sessions, including breaking balls. While Ross is still not slated to return until after the All-Star Game and Cashner a little after his 15-day DL stint is up, those are encouraging signs for a staff trying to plug numerous holes.

HOW THE WEST WILL BE WON

In breaking down the NL West, co-host Randy Jones thinks it’s basically all sewn up for the Giants already. Co-host Mike Grace has been around long enough to not count out the freewheeling and high-spending Dodgers. But you can’t deny what the Giants have done this season with their standard cast of productive depth over superstar reliance. Here’s one stat we didn’t have time for, courtesy of San Francisco beat writer Andrew Baggarly.

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Anytime an organization as storied as the Giants can pull off a franchise best for wins and losses, you know they’re having a hell of a year.

ON THE NEXT SOCIAL HOUR

Co-hosts Bill Center and Bob Scanlan join me at 3:00 PT to wonder where the Padres rotation goes from here, take a look at the updated All-Star Game voting results, and see if Scanlan has shaved his “lucky” beard. Check it out at Padres.com/SocialHour, FOX Sports San Diego, or ESPN 1700!