Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Two worrisome trends continued for Clayton Richard on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
The left-hander gave up four runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts over six innings in his 11th start of the year. Two of the hits -- and all of the runs -- scored on homers by Matt Kemp and Enrique Hernandez.
In his last six starts against the Dodgers, Richard is 0-4 with a 7.79 earned run average (28 earned runs in 32 1/3 innings), allowing batters to hit .338, while striking out 28 batters against 23 walks.
The game also marked a continuation of struggles against National League West teams in comparison to his results against teams from outside the division.
In five starts against teams from outside the National League West this season, Richard has allowed 11 runs on 31 hits and five walks with 28 strikeouts in 37 innings, posting a 2.68 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.
In six starts against National League West teams this season, Richard has given up 27 runs (26 earned) on 37 hits and 19 walks with 28 strikeouts in 30 innings, posting a 7.80 ERA and 1.87 WHIP.
Richard has given up eight home runs this season. All have come against National League West teams.
NOTEBOOK:
Jose Pirela equaled his season-high of three hits for the seventh time Friday night. He was the only member of the Padres starting lineup to not strike out. He was 3-for-4 Friday with his 13th double. In his last 18 games since May 5, Pirela has gone 21-for-67 (.313) with nine runs scored, six doubles and five RBIs along with a .361 OBP. Pirela is still looking for his first home run of the season.
Manuel Margot was 1-for-3 with his seventh double Friday to cross to the positive-side of the Mendoza line for the first time since May 15. In 25 career games against the Dodgers, Margot has batted .279 (24-for-86) with 12 runs, seven doubles, three homers and six RBI along with a .337 OBP.
Raffy Lopez struck out in all three of his at-bats Friday night and is 1-for-16 in his last five starts with one walk and eight strikeouts with his batting average falling to .167.
Travis Jankowski is also in his first slump of the season, going 2-for-18 since May 19 to drop his batting average from .390 to .325.