THREE GAME WIN STREAK FOR THE PADRES

Although the Padres finished their road trip with a record of 4-7, they ended it in grand fashion by taking three straight from Pittsburgh. The last time the club won three straight ballgames was June 4 - 8 when they actually took five straight decisions from the Cubs (2) and the Mets (3). Further, it marks the first time this season the Padres have won three straight on the road.

Jake Peavy (8-6, 2.67) led the way on Sunday with seven strong innings of four-hit ball. The only Pirate run scored on a walk, stolen base, and a ground ball single up the middle, which was the first hit given up by the right-hander. In throwing 127 pitches, Peavy collected ten strikeouts. Heath Bell looked sharp in the eighth and Trevor Hoffman shut the door in ninth while earning his 21^st save of the year and the 545^th of his illustrious career.

After collecting twelve hits, including four home runs, on Saturday in their 9-6 win, the Padres managed to get only seven hits on Sunday. However, two of those hits--a homer by Scott Hairston (his 17^th) in the eighth and another by Josh Bard in the ninth--turned out to be the difference in the game. In his second start after a lengthy stay on the DL (thank you, Mr. Pujols), Bard was 2-4.

My guess is that Chip Ambres--who, in his defense, hasn't seen much playing time lately--will soon be heading back to Portland. If that indeed does happen, it won't be because he was 0-4 with four strikeouts or because he dropped a routine fly ball for an error in the ninth. Rumor has it that Tadahito Iguchi will soon return from the DL; the likely candidate to go is Ambres. The question is, when Iguchi does return, who will play second base? My theory is that the Padres, who are well aware of Edgar Gonzalez's popularity, are starting to build a case that Edgar's defense isn't proficient enough for him to be an everyday second baseman--despite his .307 batting average. That's why we've seen Luis Rodriguez inserted into Edgar's spot in the bottom of the ninth inning of the last two games. If you ask, they'll tell you that it's for "defensive purposes". The Padres prefer to have Iguchi at second and Edgar on the bench as their top utility player. We'll see how well that plays with the Padre fans if Iguchi returns and continues to hit .259 while Edgar sits on the bench.

With only a few days remaining before the MLB trading deadline passes, a plethora of rumors are circulating about players such as Mark Teixeira, Jarrod Washburn, and even Manny Ramirez. Of course, many of the deals mentioned will not come to fruition. But, if for no other reason, it makes for great baseball conversation. The only Padre names that keep popping up are Brian Giles and Cla Meredith.

The Padres open up a three-game series against division-leading Arizona Monday evening at Petco Park.