June 4, 2012
Clayton Richard is on fire! The Padres left-hander pitched 7.1 scoreless innings while allowing 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3. He has been lights out in his previous 3 starts after a rough stretch to start the season. In his last 3 games, he has gone 22.1 innings while allowing 16 hits, 1 run, and 2 walks while striking out 11. He has improved his record from 1-4 to 4-4 and lowered his ERA from 4.59 to 3.28 in that stretch.
The Padres managed 2 runs against Arizona starter Trevor Cahill (5-3, 3.38 ERA), both in the 6th inning. Andrew Parrino led off the inning with a single, before being moved over to 2nd on a fielders choice. Chase Headley was intentionally walked, and then Kyle Blanks hit an RBI single to left field. Yonder Alonso walked to give Yorvit Torrealba a chance to hit with the bases loaded. Torrealba grounded into a fielders choice to the shortstop and beat out the throw to first which allowed Chase Headley to score.
The Pads sent Clayton Richard out to pitch the 8th, but was pulled after a catchers interference and a walk gave the D'Backs runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Brad Brach relieved him and got the next 2 hitters to ground out. Tyler Clippard pitch a 1-hit 9th to record his 12th save of the season.
Padres Notes...Kyle Blanks has been on a tear recently, he was 4-12 with 2 HR, 7 RBI, and 2 runs in the last series against Arizona.