Around the Mission: 7/11 Padres Links

Padres enter All-Star break with a whimper - SignOnSanDiego.com
"This is not how we wanted to close out the first half," Padres closer Heath Bell said as he prepared to depart for Phoenix as the Padres’ lone representative in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

Ready feels the pain as Padres hitting coach - SignOnSanDiego.com
"There’s only so much a hitting coach can do," Ready said. "You prepare the players, you go over scouting reports, you watch, you share. But the players have to execute. Sometimes they try too hard."

On-Deck: Padres fall short of their 1969 shutout record - SignOnSanDiego.com
The 15 shut outs, however, is the most in the major leagues since the 1969 Padres set the record.

PADRES NOTES: Rizzo's struggles haven't hurt his confidence
"It's all about consistency and battling through the grind because the pitchers don't give in," Rizzo said. "That's the biggest difference. But they still throw strikes and I still get pitches to hit. "I'm just kind of frustrated that I'm missing those pitches, but I know it's going to come back."

PADRES: Dodgers finish sweep of listless Padres
"We have to pick up the pieces of what happened over the weekend," manager Bud Black said.

PADRES NOTES: Gwynn not surprised by Jeter's success
"I've always respected him because he has always played the game right," Gwynn added. "You knew, as consistent as he was, he'd get there."

San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers - July 10, 2011 | MLB.com SD Recap
"This year we got out of the gate slow," Black said. "We just haven't been able to gain any momentum or any traction moving into the so-called midway point."

insidethepadres: Last July
Chase Headley remembers those fun, not so distant days.