Kuzul

Through his years in the minor leagues, San Diego Padres officials were excited about young Kyle Blanks.

He was a monster of a young man, could hit the longest home runs, but could do something that a whole lot of people wouldn’t expect from someone his size, he was fast.

Coming into his first major league season in 2009, the Padres had high hopes for Blanks and what he brought to the lineup. They were hoping that having someone of his size and talent would provide some form of protection in the lineup for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Not only that, but he was someone that could spell Gonzalez at first base when he needed a day off.

Blanks struggled through the first half of the season, but after the team returned from the all-star break he started to show his power stroke, even coming up with a few game winners during the second half of the season.

Fast forward to 2010 and there was even more promise for young Kyle Blanks. Most thought they would see the kind of potential most Padre fans expected after all the hype that had put behind him by Padre brass.

Unfortunately, Blanks once against struggled out of the gates and was never a factor at the plate.

He was put on the disabled list a few weeks ago with what the team called an elbow strain.

After finishing his stint on the disabled list, Blanks began his rehab assignment in the minor league, but that also was short lived as he would re-injure the same elbow that put him on the disabled list to begin with.

Now, according to Dan Hayes of the North County Times, via Twitter, Blanks and the Padres are discussing possible season-ending elbow surgery.

While a final decision has not been reached, it looks like a promising career could be on the shelf until next season. It’s unfortunate, but you know he’s going to come back more determined than ever.

The Padres are still going through other decisions, and playing the process of elimination game before they come to a final decision.

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If the duration of the major league baseball season were a California road trip up the Interstate 5, the Padres would barely be in Oceanside.

Nonetheless, with one month in the rear view mirror, the Padres are in cruise control.

For the third time in four games on Sunday, the Padres shut out the Milwaukee Brewers, this time on a combined three hitter by John Garland and two relievers. The Brewers came into the series leading the NL in scoring. 

It was the first time the Padres have had three shutouts in a series of any length in their 42-year history.

The 8-0 victory marks the 13^th win in 16 games for San Diego.

The early success has left fans and followers of baseball asking the same question:

Who are these guys and what have they done with the Padres?

As evidenced in the recent shutouts, the Friars’ pitching staff, from the starting rotation to the bullpen, has been lights out.

Yet, the stingy pitching has set the tone for the Padres clubhouse and resulted in not only more offensive potency, but a unit playing with more intensity and resolve.

Adrian Gonzalez, the usually permissive Padres All-Star first baseman, was tossed in the bottom of the 8^th of Saturday’s 2-1 loss, after arguing balls and strikes in a rare show of emotion.

The ejection was the first of Gonzalez’s career, and has a ways to go to reach Bud Black’s mark of 10. Black not only joined the double digit ejection club as a manager, but he also joined Gonzalez in the clubhouse after backing his slugger.    

Home plate umpire Rob Drake’s strike zone was fluctuant at best for most of the evening. It was Adrian’s third strikeout of the night and while he and Black definitely got their moneys worth, it was good to see some fire from within.

It was peculiar seeing all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman in another jersey at PETCO Park. Hoffman, who has struggled this year with four blown saves already, pitched a perfect ninth for his 595^th save Saturday.

The Friars look to stay in gear for their sixth consecutive series victory and their 10^th win in 11 games at home Monday, as they host division rival Colorado for a three game series. 

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