May 31, 2008

Aussie Updates (30 May 08)

Justin Huber bounced back from his setback from yesterday. While he didnt get a start today (in a game where he ordinarily may have, against a left handed pitcher), he did get a pinch hit. He hit for Padres pitcher Brian Corey in the 6th inning, against LHP John Lannan. Huber got behind in the count and then grounded out to shortstop. Regarding the injury, Huber said "It kind of stung me a little bit, (I have one) every once in a while, but not generally during a game and not like that. I'm feeling really good about it. Hopefully it's a quick little thing. It was just sort of out of the blue. I felt really good in pre-game. Everything was going well with batting practice. For something like that to pop up was strange. It's pretty hard to do anything when your back locks up on you".


His average is now well below the .200 mark. But at least he's not injured.

It seems that Huber must be doing something right, and it might be related to his preparation and approach to the game. We have read about Huber's approach earlier this season, before he smacked his first ML homer off Randy Johnson he had studied the Big Unit's pitches and identified the pitch he wanted to go after. Well, today the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that before yesterday's game, Huber "prepared extensively"; taking batting practice against both a lefty and a righty; reviewing tape of Odalis Perez and reviewing his previous experience with Perez. Unfortunately it all came to nothing, as he didnt even get an at-bat. But this type of commitment and drive must surely be pleasing the Padres coaching staff.

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