Cashner finalist for Roberto Clemente Award

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

This has been a tough season for Andrew Cashner.

But Major League Baseball supplied a silver lining last week when it named the right-handed starter the Padres' nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award -- which goes annually to a player for "positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship, community involvement and philanthropic work."

Earlier this year, Cashner's mother, Jane, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her diagnosis came shortly after she celebrated the 10th anniversary of beating breast cancer.

In addition to supporting his mother in her fight against cancer, Cashner and his sister, Aimee Christensen, created the Cashner Family Foundation -- which has the goal of bringing hope and joy to children battling various medical conditions.

The Cashner Family Foundation aims to provide funding to hospitals for activities and adventures that will entertain and encourage children in need. The program is for children of seriously ill patients, as well as patients themselves.

Through the entertainment provided by the Cashner Family Foundation, Cashner and his sister hope kids will gain the perseverance and optimism needed to endure their difficult times.

As part of the foundation's program, Cashner has teamed with Rady Children's Hospital to host patients and their families in his personal suite at Petco Park during every homestand. At least six patients are joined by their families, doctors, nurses and support network. Cashner visits with the groups prior to games.

In addition to his foundation program, Cashner is involved in the Padres' outreach programs to the military and first responders.

"Andrew has always been supportive of the club's community programs," said Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler.

"It has been especially meaningful this year to watch him take his own personal experience from a family hardship and channel it into a program that benefits local kids who are dealing with medical difficulties. We are proud to have Cashner as part of the Padres organization."

Tony Gwynn won the Roberto Clemente Award in 1999.

Padres fans can vote for Cashner at ChevyBaseball.com.

FROM THE SCORECARD

• Wil Myers has hit .260 with three doubles and three home runs in 14 games since returning from the disabled list on Sept. 4. He has eight RBIs and nine runs scored in those games. In 49 games with the Padres this season, Myers is hitting .273 with 13 doubles, eight homers, 27 RBIs and 39 runs scored. Projected over a full season, those totals would be roughly 42 doubles, 26 homers, 85 RBIs and 128 runs scored.

Myers missed exactly 100 games.

• Jedd Gyorko hit both his 15th homer and 15th double of the season on Saturday night at Coors Field. Gyorko is hitting .280 in 22 games at shortstop, going 21-for-75 with three doubles and seven RBIs. As a shortstop, Gyorko has a .317 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage -- with 17 RBIs and 10 runs scored. As a second baseman, Gyorko hit .229 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 280 at-bats.

• Going into Sunday's finale of a nine-game road trip, the Padres are 2-6 on the trip and 5-13 thus far in September to fall 11 games under .500 for the first time this season. They still have an 11-7 edge on the Rockies going into Sunday's final meeting of the season.

• Since his career-best, 32-game on-base streak ended on Sept. 12 in San Francisco, Matt Kemp is 2-for-25 (.080) with a home run and three RBIs. He has three walks and three runs scored over the last seven games.