SAN DIEGO_In his San Diego Padres debut and return to the National League, Travis Wood helped himself.
The left-hander, who was acquired Monday from Kansas City, started Friday's series opener against visiting Pittsburgh on the mound. Primarily a reliever over the last two and a half seasons, he completed six innings for the first time since April 28, 2015.
At the plate, he upheld a reputation. The former Cincinnati Red and Chicago Cub entered as a career .181 hitter with nine home runs in 281 at-bats. Against the Pirates, he got the Padres on the board with a fourth-inning single.
Wood's arm and bat proved critical components of a 3-2 win at Petco Park. After his exit, the Padres plated two runs, including the go-ahead score, in the bottom of the sixth. Their bullpen sealed a third consecutive victory.
It would not have been possible without the newcomer. Wood faltered only once. With two outs in the third, he hit Josh Harrison before serving up a home run to Andrew McCutchen. He allowed only one other hit and one walk, both in the top of the first.
The final line _ six innings, two hits, two runs, a walk, seven strikeouts, 81 pitches _ represented one of the Padres' most efficient starts this season. For Wood, it signified a promising introduction. In 28 appearances with the Royals, he had posted a career-worst 6.91 ERA.
At least early on, the Padres did not provide much support. Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth. The Padres loaded the bases with two outs. Wood lined a single to left, scoring Cory Spangenberg.
Jabari Blash was held at third. Rookie Allen Cordoba, who had aggressively rounded second, found himself in no man's land. The inning ended with Pittsburgh still ahead.
The Padres capitalized in the sixth. Jose Pirela singled with one out, then went first-to-home on a triple by Spangenberg. Cordoba watched a wild pitch bounce past him. Spangenberg dashed in from third, giving San Diego a 3-2 lead.
After Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates combined on a pair of scoreless innings, Brad Hand, one of baseball's top remaining trade targets, took the mound for his third save opportunity in as many nights. Hand made it 3-for-3, clinching the Padres' first winning month since July 2015.
