Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Eric Lauer allowed one run on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings Thursday night in his first start against the division-rival D-backs.
His outing Thursday dropped his ERA under 5.00 for the first time in his 14-start Major League career.
Thursday's outing in Phoenix marked the third time in four starts that he allowed one run or less. Over his past four starts, the 23-year-old left-handed rookie has allowed nine runs (five earned) on 24 hits and five walks with 16 strikeouts in 22 innings for a 2.05 ERA that has dropped his season mark from 6.20 to 4.84.
Lauer's ERA has dropped in seven of his last eight starts, and he earned his first win since June 13 on Thursday. His eight pickoffs lead the Major Leagues.
NOTEBOOK
• The Padres' win Thursday night was only their second in their last 21 series-opening games. They are 6-25 in series openers this season. The Padres are 22-5 when scoring five or more runs this season, and 2-2 against the D-backs.
• 2B Carlos Asuaje was 2-for-2 with two walks, a triple, a RBI and two runs scored Thursday in Arizona. In four games since being recalled from Triple-A El Paso on July 1, Asuaje is 5-for-7 with four walks -- meaning he has reached base in nine of his 11 plate appearances -- for a slash line of .714/.818/1.000/1.818. He is also 2-for-2 as a pinch-hitter since his return.
• LHP Brad Hand picked up his 24th save of the season with a scoreless inning Thursday. He allowed a hit, then struck out the next three batters. In his previous six outings, Hand was 0-1 with two saves and two blown saves, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and a walk with six strikeouts in five innings as his ERA soared from 1.78 to 3.12.
• 1B William Myers is hitting .331 (41-for-124) at Chase Field with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and nine RBIs. Myers was 2-for-4 with his first triple of the season Thursday, with two RBIs and a run scored. Since June 26, Myers is 10-for-31 (.323) with three doubles, a triple, a homer, three walks, seven RBIs and five runs scored.