Padres pitchers rolling down the stretch

PHILADELPHIA -- It's been a nice run of late for the Padres' pitchers, as the team went into Wednesday's game with a four-win streak and a 6-3 record in its past nine.

Better still, the pitchers have combined for a 2.96 ERA over the past 79 innings, the second-best mark in the Majors behind the A's (2.43) over that same stretch.

"Overall, our starting pitching has been solid," said Padres manager Bud Black.

The Padres have 93 strikeouts in those 79 innings, which ranks second behind the Orioles (105). Half of the 26 earned runs allowed came in a 13-5 loss to the Giants on Sept. 4.

In fact, since Aug. 27, Padres starting pitchers have only lost twice, as Eric Stults -- who made the start Wednesday -- took losses on Aug. 30 and Sept. 4.