Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Clayton Richard has climbed up the Padres' all-time list of pitching leaders this season.
Richard has induced 11 double-play grounders this season to give him 128 for his career with San Diego -- which puts him second among Padres' pitchers all-time. Randy Jones tops the list by a wide margin with 176.
Richard's victory over the Braves last Monday was his 55th as a Padre, tying him with Bruce Hurst for the most in franchise history for a left-hander. No. 1 on that list, of course, is Jones with 92. Richard also moved into a three-way tie for eighth on the Padres' all-time wins list with Hurst and Joey Hamilton -- dropping a reliever named Trevor Hoffman from the top 10.
Richard has also climbed into eighth on the Padres' career lists in three other categories: games started (161), innings pitched (968 2/3) and losses (63) -- and he has made it to 10th in strikeouts (636).
Plus, Richard leads all National League pitchers this season with 20 assists.
NOTEBOOK
• Brad Hand had the third two-inning appearance of the season Wednesday, but the first in a save situation. Since May 1, Hand has allowed two runs on nine hits and seven walks with 28 strikeouts (including four on Wednesday) over 17 1/3 innings in 15 appearances. He has 12 saves in as many opportunities, with a 1.04 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP.
• Craig Stammen worked one perfect inning with two strikeouts Wednesday. Since the start of May, Stammen has allowed one run on nine hits and four walks with 14 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings for a 0.64 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He has lowered his ERA from 3.00 to 1.88 during the run.
• Kirby Yates also worked two innings Wednesday with two walks and two strikeouts. After 10 straight scoreless appearances, he has allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over eight innings in seven appearances.
• Jose Castillo, 22, has struck out five of the nine Major League hitters he's faced in two appearances while allowing one hit. He also picked up his first Major League win Wednesday.