SAN DIEGO_A clubhouse leader and a newcomer who'd traveled a long road himself carried the San Diego Padres to a 3-0 victory over Colorado on Thursday.
One day after signing a two-year contract extension, Clayton Richard showed his durability. For the seventh time this season, a Padres starting pitcher recorded at least one out in the eighth inning. Six of those starts belong to Richard.
The 34-year-old left-hander worked 7 1/3 innings, shutting out the Rockies in that span. He walked off the field to a standing ovation.
Although an error forced him from the mound, Richard also received on-field support. It came in the form of three double plays and, on offense, another impactful game by Christian Villanueva.
The third baseman, making his third major league start, homered for the second time in as many nights. He belted a fifth-inning shot, giving Richard a 1-0 lead. He singled in the sixth, making it 3-0.
Until this week, Villanueva had spent all eight of his professional seasons in the minor leagues. Injuries and depth charts had prevented the 26-year-old, once a well-regarded prospect, from reaching the highest level.
Monday, with less than two weeks left in a rebuilding season, the Padres gave him a chance. So far, Villanueva has proven a worthy call-up.
On Wednesday, he launched one of the Padres' five home runs in a record-setting loss at Petco Park. Thursday arrived and Villanueva found himself in the lineup again, facing another left-hander.
Colorado's Tyler Anderson traded zeroes with Richard for four innings. Leading off the bottom of the fifth, Villanueva hammered an 0-2 change-up, sending a drive to the upper deck in left. Anderson retired the next three batters.
The Rockies pitcher encountered more traffic in the sixth. Manuel Margot singled, took second on a bunt and stole third. Wil Myers walked, and Hunter Renfroe ripped a sacrifice fly to left. Yangervis Solarte singled. Up came Villanueva.
This time, the rookie pounced on the first pitch, lashing a single to left. Myers scored, and the Padres took a three-run lead.
Richard pitched into the eighth, when he gave up a one-out single. Solarte committed an error, allowing another runner to reach and bringing manager Andy Green to the mound. Kirby Yates took over for Richard. The reliever waged a 12-pitch battle with DJ LeMahieu, winning it with strike three. A force out ensued.
Brad Hand retired the side in the ninth, the Padres securing their 69th victory of the season. A year ago, they finished with 68 wins.
