Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
The Padres are off to one of their fastest starts in franchise history -- sprinting out to a 6-3 mark after nine games. The last time the Padres were 6-3 after nine games was in 2009, when they owned a 7-3 record after 10 games -- and that represents the third-fastest 10-game start in franchise history.
The only two times the Padres got off to an 8-2 start were in 1984 and '98, which incidentally were the only two times they won the National League title.
While they still have a long way to go in April, the Padres have not posted a winning record in the first month of the season since 2010 -- when they won 90 games.
San Diego entered Sunday afternoon’s series finale in St. Louis with a 5-0 record thus far in day games. The club has posted a .790 OPS thus far in April (.335 on-base percentage and a .455 slugging percentage).
Notebook
• Outfielder Hunter Renfroe had two doubles with two walks and an RBI in five plate appearances on Saturday afternoon at Busch Stadium. Over his last four games, Renfroe has gone 6-for-12 with two doubles, three home runs and two walks -- good for a .500 average with a .571 on-base percentage and a 1.417 slugging percentage (1.988 OPS).
• Right-hander Chris Paddack issued four walks on Saturday, which is half the total he issued all last season in a 90-inning campaign split between Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and Double-A. In his first two Major League starts, Paddack has allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and five walks with 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings.
• Righty Kirby Yates leads the National League with five saves in the Padres' first six wins. He has allowed one run on four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in six, one-inning appearances -- good for a 1.80 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP.
• Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has hit safely in four of his last five games, going 5-for-18 with a double, two homers, four RBIs and three walks -- good for a slash line of .278/.381/.667 (1.048 OPS).
• Third baseman Manny Machado owns a five-game hitting streak. He is 6-for-16 during the run, with two homers, four RBIs and seven walks -- good for .375/.565/.625 line (1.190 OPS).