Padres’ Gaudin 1-hits Texas for 8 in win
June 29, 2009
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Chad Gaudin(notes) is suddenly pitching like an ace for abattered San Diego pitching staff that can use the boost.
Gaudin allowed one hit over eight scoreless innings, the first opposingpitcher to do that at Rangers Ballpark, and the Padres beat the stumbling TexasRangers 2-0 on Sunday night to win their first series in a month.
“I’ve seen a lot of games in this park from that dugout,” said Padresmanager Bud Black, the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels seven seasonsbefore that. “That was one of the best-pitched games I’ve seen.”
After David Murphy(notes) drew a one-out walk in the first and Michael Young(notes)followed with a single, Gaudin retired 23 of the last 25 batters he faced—including the last 13. Murphy was the only Texas runner to touch second base.
“I’ve seen a bunch of balls go out of here,” Gaudin said. “I tried tostay aggressive, let them know you’re going to attack the zone. That makes ittough for them because they know you’re not going to nibble, not going to letthem wait for one pitch.”
Series at a Glance San Diego 2 Texas 12 Fri, Jun 26 – Final San Diego 7 Texas 3 Sat, Jun 27 – Final San Diego 2 Texas 0 Sun, Jun 28 – Final
Only two pitchers can match what Gaudin did in Texas, both for the hometeam.
Kenny Rogers(notes) threw a perfect game at home for the Rangers in 1994, theirfirst year in the stadium, and Rick Helling(notes) allowed one hit over eight scorelessinnings in 1997.
Gaudin, with his fifth team in seven years after being released by theChicago Cubs the first week of this season, struck out nine and walked two.
“He was a different pitcher than I’ve seen in the past,” Murphy said. “Helocated his fastball a lot better, and he was using his slider more, and moreeffectively.”
Heath Bell(notes) worked the ninth for his National League-best 21st save, matchingBrian Fuentes(notes) of the Los Angeles Angels for the major league lead. Bell walkedYoung before Andruw Jones(notes) grounded into a game-ending double play.
Scott Hairston(notes) was 2 for 21 since returning from the disabled list until hissolo homer in the fourth off rookie Tommy Hunter(notes) (0-1). Two innings later,Hairston had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead, then added a double after that tofinish 3 for 4 and push his batting average to .310.
San Diego Padres relief pitche… AP – Jun 28, 11:34 pm EDT
With six right-handers on the disabled list, including starters Jake Peavy(notes)and Chris Young, Gaudin led the Padres to their first series victory sincetaking two of three from Arizona on May 25-27.
Gaudin threw 101 pitches in a game that started when it was 99 degrees. Itwas still in the mid-90s when he threw his last pitch to end the eighth anddidn’t come back out.
“It was a pretty special game,” Black said. “But there were a number offactors: the heat, for one. … Fourth time through the lineup. There’ll come atime for Chad.”
Plus, Bell hadn’t pitched since Tuesday.
“I wanted the complete game, but I’m not upset,” Gaudin said.
In his previous start Tuesday at Seattle, Gaudin tied a career high with 11strikeouts and allowed two runs over seven innings. That victory gave up 17 runsover 14 innings while losing his first three June starts.
The Rangers were held scoreless for the fourth time this season, and hadonly one hit for the second time. Young also had the lone hit when Detroitone-hit them May 19. It was the second shutout for San Diego.
“Throw this night in with all the others. It’s a frustrating one.Hopefully, we can forget it as soon as possible,” Murphy said.
Texas has lost seven of 10 games, and dropped out of first place in the ALWest for the first time since May 5 after a 7-3 loss to the Padres on Saturdaynight. The Rangers are now 1 1/2 games behind the Angels, who open a three-gameseries in Texas on Monday.
Hunter, the 22-year-old left-hander drafted only two seasons ago, scatteredseven hits over 6 1-3 innings, allowing two runs filling in for left-hander MattHarrison(notes), put on the disabled list Sunday with shoulder inflammation.
NOTES: Before going on the disabled list June 3 because of a strained leftbiceps, Hairston homered in three consecutive games. He has nine homers. …There were about 300 dogs in the stands as part of a promotion that allowed fansto bring them. Among them was Reveille, a collie who is the official mascot ofTexas A&M University.
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