Padres Take a Beating On and Off the Scoreboard

The struggling Padres took another hit on Wednesday night. Already without the services of all-star pitcher Jake Peavy, the Padres lost starting pitcher Chris Young and catcher Josh Bard in the 3rd inning of Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals. The 6’10 Young was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Albert Pujols. Young’s face was covered in blood and it looked as if he may have been seriously injured, but after about ten minutes, he walked off the field under his own power. Young will be further evaluated before any decision is made to place him on the disabled list.

Two batters later, Pujols, who had reached first on his single off Young`s skull, rounded third and headed for home, testing the arm of Padres outfielder Brian Giles. The throw reached the plate at the same time as Pujols, and Bard’s left foot was caught under the sliding Cardinals’ first baseman. Bard was placed on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle.

Troy Glaus and Ryan Ludwick each drove in three runs, and Rick Ankiel had a pinch hit dinger in the 8th, as the Cards won 11-3, handing the Padres their 12th loss in 17 games. Braden Looper got the win and Alexander Gonzalez had a two run homerun as well.