Padres can't catch a cold

When you look at the National League statistics, you will notice the Padres have the league’s top fielding percentage.

Go ahead and laugh.

Two “hits” that were mental errors and don’t show up in the fielding percentages were the Padres’ downfall in a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

With one out in the seventh inning, Delwyn Young hit a liner to right that Brian Giles said he lost in the Petco Park lights for a double.

Juan Pierre followed with a fly to left center that left fielder Justin Huber appeared to have all the way, then backed off and said he lost the ball in the lights for what was a single.

Hall of Fame broadcasters Jerry Coleman of the Padres and Vin Scully of the Dodgers both couldn’t emphasize enough that if those two fly balls were caught, the Dodgers would not have scored in the seventh.

But with the two bonuses, the Dodgers went on to score four runs in the seventh.

It figures this all happened in the seventh, because the Padres have been outscored 46-20 in that inning this season.

A couple other stats to chew on:

Khalil Greene is batting .159 with runners in scoring position.

The Padres have lost 21 games in which they led.

Perhaps their five-game winning streak before Tuesday was more a blip on the radar than a sign of things to come.

Padres should demote more than Germano

The Padres have demoted starting pitcher Justin Germano to the bullpen because of his 0-3 record and 6.35 ERA.

If you’re going to demote Germano, don’t forget:

Catcher Josh Bard, his .216 average and inability to throw out base stealers.

Shortstop Khalil Greene with his .213 average and one home run.

The whole left field tandem of Scott Hairston, Justin Huber and Paul McAnulty.

Center fielder Jim Edmonds with his .171 average and inability to get to fly balls anymore.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget starting pitcher Chris Young (2-3, 4.31 ERA) along with the bullpen trio of Trevor Hoffman (0-2, 6.52), Glendon Rusch (1-2, 6.26) and Joe Thatcher (0-3, 6.75).

With so many underachievers, no wonder the Padres are tied with the Colorado Rockies for the worst record in Major League Baseball at 12-21.

Padres' bench leaves much to be desired

You think the outfield and most of the bullpen members are weaknesses for the Padres?

Well, have you checked out the bench players lately?

In comparison, they make the outfielder and relievers look like giants; or did you not notice who was coming off the bench in Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants in 11 innings?

Check it out:

Tony Clark. He’s the only guy on the bench you can count on in a pinch.

Paul McAnulty: He had all of 77 major-league at bats before this season.

Calix Crabbe: His first hit in two major-league at bats came Tuesday.

Justin Huber: He recorded 98 career at bats before this season.

Colt Morton: The replacement for the injured Michael Barrett (sprained elbow) is 0-for-2 in his career.

There you have it: Tony Clark … and four guys whose combined major-league experience is less than a year … coming off the bench. (Next thing you know, The Friar will be coming off the bench to pinch hit!)

These guys ought to strike fear in opponents, lol.