Matt Kemp was out of the lineup again with the Padres sending Jake Peavy to the mound. This marks the fourth time in a week that Kemp has not started when the opposing team starts a RHP who made the All-Star team last season.
Kemp sounded disappointed over the matter and I asked him if it was frustrating because he needed those at-bats to prove he could hit tough right-handers, and he admitted that a chance to prove himself would be nice.
"I believe I hit righties pretty good," Kemp said. "I don't have an answer to the question (of why I don't play), I really don't, but I wish I could get in there against those guys.
"Pitchers make mistakes. He might not make as many mistakes as a third, fourth or fifth starter, but he does make mistakes and he is very hittable. I know I can hit him."
Joe Torre said that Kemp's opportunities will come but he wanted to go with Juan Pierre's experience.
"I don't think he has to prove anything," Torre said. "If I don't have Juan Pierre on the bench, he would be in there. With a guy like Peavy, you are not concerned about how far you hit it, but how often you hit it."
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