Pads Lose the Big ‘Mo

It’s been four days, and the ringing in my ears hasn’t stopped yet.

While the Aerosmith-loud “Beat L.A.” and “Sweep L.A.” screech still shakes this young man to the core, it looks like the meaning of the whole thing has been lost on the occupants of Petco Park. Looking every bit the National League’s best team on Thursday, the Padres went right out and stunk up the weekend. The entire weekend. And to the Seattle Mariners, no less. Who the hell are they?

And with the Friars return to earth, after what might have been a season-changing game and series against Los Angeles, away went any and all momentum that comes with five-run ninth inning comeback victories. The big ‘mo is no more. Gone, outta there, kaput.

Learn from the experience, I say. Because clearly, the lesson here is that sweeping the Dodgers does not a season make. Humbling Los Angeles is one thing, best not to be celebrated too heartily. Following up against the likes of Seattle is another matter indeed.

Of course, the misreading of the previous series implications worked both ways. The Padres thought they’d accomplished much, and maybe not, but the Dodgers took solace in a comeback of their own. Jason Schmidt one-hit the Padres over six sterling innings in a no-decision, after all. He’s back and healthy, thought the Dodgers. Uh, no. You are wrong, chiliburger breath. Did you see Schmidt’s performance against the Blue Jays Sunday? Total crap.

Whatever. Momentum is misunderstood. It’s like the chemistry thing. No one can explain what team chemistry means in baseball. Not really. Lest we forget, chemistry is a class in high school every last one of us sucked at. Anyway, momentum is physics. Just another class in high school we all sucked at.

— HOWARD COLE