Posted: July 20, 2007
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO -- Adam Eaton put in a full night's work in his return to San Diego. The right-hander shook off a collision with an umpire, hit an RBI single and beat his old team, pitching the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night.
It was Eaton's first start at Petco Park since the Padres traded him to Texas on Jan. 4, 2006, in a six-player deal that brought All-Star Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez to San Diego. After missing much of last season with a finger injury, Eaton signed a $24.5 million, three-year contract with Philadelphia.
Eaton (9-6) came in with a 5.98 ERA but held the Padres to two runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings. He struck out six and walked three while beating Justin Germano (6-4), who was picked up off waivers from the Phillies during spring training.
Chase Utley hit a two-run homer off reliever Doug Brocail in the seventh, his 17th. Brian Giles walked three times and singled for San Diego, which stranded 15 runners. Antonio Alfonseca got four outs for his seventh save.
Eaton made his big league debut with the Padres in 2000 after being acquired with two other pitches for Andy Ashby the previous winter.
Eaton's two-out RBI single off Germano capped a three-run fourth that gave Philadelphia a 4-2 lead. His hit to shallow center brought in All-Star Aaron Rowand, aboard on an RBI double. Pat Burrell followed with an RBI groundout. The Phillies had three hits and two walks, including an intentional pass to Rod Barajas, to bring up Eaton. It was Eaton's 10th hit this season and the NL-best 34th by the Phillies staff.
A half-inning earlier, Eaton and second base umpire Chris Guccione collided as they converged on third base, and the two ended up in a heap as Milton Bradley slid in safely. Eaton was backing up the play and Guccione had rotated over to cover for third base ump Bill Miller, who retreated to get a better look at Gonzalez's RBI double that fell just inside the left-field line for a 2-1 Padres lead.
A trainer came out to check on Eaton's right shoulder. Eaton got a few warmup pitches, remained in the game and retired the side. Eaton was chased by Geoff Blum's two-out single in the sixth. J.C. Romero loaded the bases by walking pinch-hitter Jose Cruz Jr. and Giles before getting Milton Bradley to hit into a force.
Notes: Saturday night's scheduled starters, Jamie Moyer and David Wells, will have a combined age of 88 years, 307 days, the second-oldest pitching matchup in big league history. The oldest matchup featured the Angels' Don Sutton against the Indians' Phil Niekro on June 8, 1987, when their combined age was 90 years, 135 days. ... Before those two hook up, though, a statue of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn will be unveiled in the Park at the Park beyond the outfield at Petco Park. ... Gwynn, who will go into the Hall of Fame along with Cal Ripken Jr. a week from Sunday, is working the local TV broadcast for this series. ... Padres manager Bud Black said it's "more than likely" that slumping 2B Marcus Giles will be back in the lineup Saturday night against the Phillies following a three-game benching. Giles had been batting No. 2, but is expected to be dropped lower in the order.