Tony Gwynn Jr. had his chance. He's had two months to win the starting center field job and he's been terrible. Durango is here because of injuries so we might as well see what the kid has. We also haven't gotten any production from the leadoff spot. Durango could be the answer...

I completely agree. Gwynn is just awful @ the plate and as far the lead off spot situation, Venable has that 4 hit game and so many people think problem solved. No, it isn't. That's what he does. Great game followed by 5 or 6 games of over swinging and poor pitch recognition. The way Eck has been hitting, it'd be great to see Durango get on, get over and get in.

Yeah, Venable's OBP abilities aren't a good match for the leadoff spot. I like him 7th. We need to find a leadoff hitter. Our leadoff hitters are hitting .197 .279 .263. We need a change.

Gwynn in the lineup again today and Venable still miserably failing in the leadoff spot. I don't get it.

While I wanted to see Durango get more opportunity while being up, I think it has to do with a couple of things. Luis has looked overmatched when batting from the left side (He did ok last night, but that was soft tosser city from the mets). Gwynn has hit well in his last few games, and Denorfia has been solid.

From the small sample I have seen, Durango still needs work with alot of little things...situational baseball. He has cost us a couple of runs (In the field with the dive, and yesterday not telling Hundley to slide). To this point, he has not looked like the most patient hitter either.

Right now, I would not mind seeing Denorfia get a shot at leadoff. He is hitting over .300 in his time up, he works the count well, and he has speed. I think Luis goes down today when Hairston is back up. Denorfia deserves to play over Luis in my mind.

"Luis has looked overmatched when batting from the left side"

I keep hearing this and only laugh. How is .333/.385 over matched. So what if he's been over matched in an AB or two. What player isn't? His overall play has been fine. I also don't buy the, he cost us a run because he didn't tell Hundley to slide. On a shallow fly ball, Hundley should have been sliding anyway. The blame doesn't solely fall on Durango. It sounds like people just looking for something negative to say about the kid. His couple of mistakes are more than made up for by him throwing the guy out at home, driving runs in, and getting on base to score some runs.

"Right now, I would not mind seeing Denorfia get a shot at leadoff. He is hitting over .300 in his time up, he works the count well, and he has speed. I think Luis goes down today when Hairston is back up. Denorfia deserves to play over Luis in my mind."

I agree. I would love to see Denorfia get a chance to lead off and he does deserve to stay over Durango.

I thought we found our new Leadoff/CF in his first start the other night. His amazing assist to home to save that run as the play of the game until his very unamazing sliding catch attempt that almost cost the same game.

Even without his rookie lapses I think Luis deserved a longer look than he was given. He was sent down today with Hairston returning. I believe though we will see Luis back soon with the likely departure of Stairs.

I think he will be our CF/leadoff guy by the end of the season. A little more time in AAA wont hurt, and Denorfia was the better choice to stay. Stairs is playing his way off the roster and Gwynn may not be far behind.