Gerardo Parra – Padre Killer

At the start of each series, we at Chicken Friars will zero in on an opposing player known to be a “Padre Killer.”No matter the day, time or place, this player is known to be a one-man wrecking crew when it comes to playing against the San Diego Padres. In this column, I will analyze that player’s statistics against the Friars and try to offer some insight into how not to let that player beat our beloved team.

The Padres and Diamondback are back at it for another three game set. This time the series will be played at Petco Park, not Chase Field where the the Padres have won six straight games at a ballpark where they have historically been losers.

Gerardo Parra celebrates after hitting a home run. Matt  Kartozian-US PRESSWIR

If the Padres want to win at Petco Park they must play good baseball, but more importantly they need to keep Diamondbacks’ outfielder Gerardo Parra at bay.

Parra is a platoon outfielder with some pop. Although he does not play every day, Parra contributes when the opportunity arises especially when that opportunity comes against the Padres. The Venezuelan has modest stats against the Friars, but throughout the years he has done enough damage to qualify as a Padre Killer.

Here is how Parra has produced against the Padres:

In 27 games played at Petco Park, Parra has a carrer batting average of .258 with one home run and seven RBI. While he has done damage with the bat, the Padres must not forget about Parra’s glove where he has taken many game winning hits away.

If I were the Padres,I would just hope that manager Kirk Gibson does not pencil in Parra into the starting lineup. Parra does the little things to win ballgames, so the Padres must play big.