For seven and a half years, Jake Peavy was among the most popular of Padres players. In 2009, he was traded to the White Sox, and stayed in the American League with Chicago and Boston until this year, when a mid-season trade to San Francisco sent him back to the N.L. West.
During all that time away, Peavy never had a chance to face the team for which he won the 2007 Cy Young Award. That changed on Saturday at AT&T Park, when the Giants met the Padres in the final game of the season.
Alas, there was none of the nostalgia you'd expect. It's only been five years, but the only guys still with the franchise from Jake's time are outfielder Will Venable, pitcher Tim Stauffer, manager Bud Black and pitching coach Darren Balsley.
So, it was really just another day at the office for Peavy, who threw 5.0 innings, allowing one run and taking a no-decision in a game the Giants eventually won 3-1. The only run Jake allowed came on a sacrifice fly by Yasmani Grandal that brought home (quite fittingly) Venable.
Padres starter Eric Stults was, as he's been for the last couple of months, fantastic. The lefty allowed one run in 7.0 innings, but since he once again received little run support (Stults was backed up by the 4th-fewest runs of any starter in the league) he took a no-decision.
With the game tied 1-1 in the 8th inning, Dale Thayer loaded the bases on a single, a fielder's choice, an error and two walks. After striking out Pablo Sandoval for the second out, Thayer gave up a bloop single to Brandon Crawford and the winning runs scored.
The Padres and Giants play the final game of the regular season (which will not be the final game of San Francisco's year) on Sunday in San Francisco. San Diego sends LHP Robbie Erlin to the mound against Chris Heston, who will make his first career Major League start.
