As if the Padres' recent slide hasn't upset enough stomachs around San Diego, the figurative went literal Monday. Mat Latos, the Padres' best pitcher, was scratched from his Labor Day start against the Dodgers because of what he called a "violent" case of the stomach flu. That about sums it up for San Diego, which now will rely on spot starter Tim Stauffer to lead the way Monday night in an attempt to stop the losing skid at 10 games.
Despite his illness, Latos tried to talk the coaching staff into letting him take the ball Monday, but he was rebuffed. He is, however, scheduled to start Tuesday -- assuming all goes well overnight.
If there's any good news for the Padres, it's that Stauffer had a measure of success in his last emergency start, working five scoreless innings May 9 against the Astros.




