Bud Black

For a Padres team that has surprised many this year, some of the best news they've gotten all year came on Monday, in the form of a three-year extension for manager Buddy Black. This move shows the Padres that the front office believes that what they're doing this year is sustainable, and also shows the rest of baseball the Padres are unlikely to be dealing away any stars come July 31.

Many will tell you that Black's extension was well deserved. It's true, he has done an excellent job of handling a bullpen and starting rotation that have been the best in baseball.

Less than a week ago Mat Latos was three outs away from his first career shutout in Houston. It did not take long for him to get another shot at it.

Latos came within one hit of a perfect game Thursday, yielding only an infield single in the sixth inning to Eli Whiteside while overshadowing Jonathan Sanchez yet again as the first-place Padres won 1-0 to complete a three-game sweep at AT&T Park.

If the duration of the major league baseball season were a California road trip up the Interstate 5, the Padres would barely be in Oceanside.

Nonetheless, with one month in the rear view mirror, the Padres are in cruise control.

For the third time in four games on Sunday, the Padres shutout the Milwaukee Brewers, this time on a combined three hitter by John Garland and two relievers. The Brewers came into the series leading the NL in scoring. 

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the Bill of Rights that protects a right to keep and bear arms. 

It provides: "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

San Francisco Giants Manager Bruce Bochy is pushing the envelope on this constitutional right with his current starting pitching staff. 

Let's face it, San Diego is baseball's official doormat. The average fan might be able to name two or three players on their roster.

However, among this baseball graveyard is the best player nobody talks about.

Padres first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez.

Call it some strange obsession, but when I see a team like the Nationals or the Padres that are clearly a bad team, I become intrigued and look into who makes up that roster. That's why for all his off-the-field issues, I love Elijah Dukes.