Padres' Quackenbush yields little after callup

PHILADELPHIA -- Kevin Quackenbush was summoned in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out and the bases loaded on Tuesday night against the Phillies. The 25-year-old righty won a nine-pitch battle with Marlon Byrd before getting Domonic Brown to whiff on a curveball to end the inning.

Quackenbush owns a 2.93 ERA, and opposing batters are hitting just .140 off him through 15 1/3 innings. In seven appearances since May 27, Quackenbush has seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out six.

"He's throwing the ball well," Padres manager Bud Black said. "I think he's gaining confidence. He's pitching with more conviction with his pitches. I think early on he was a little tentative, but now he's settled in."

Black added that Quackenbush drew a lot of praise from his Minor League coaches after posting a 1.26 ERA in 14 1/3 innings pitched and converting all six of his save chances for Triple-A El Paso early this season.

Still, Quackenbush remains a candidate to be sent back down to the Minors as the Padres plan to call a pitcher up to start on Saturday.

"When we activate a pitcher on Saturday, it's going to be a tough move for someone," Black said.