Rivera impressing on his work with pitchers

SAN DIEGO -- Catcher Rene Rivera made his seventh start of the season Friday against the Giants, which ties him for the team lead with Yasmani Grandal.

Rivera impressed the team with how he worked with pitchers during a 23-game stint with the team a year ago and has done so again during this young season.

Why do pitchers like throwing to Rivera so well?

"I really don't have that answer," Rivera said. "I think they like the way I play my games and that I give 100 percent. Maybe they have a trust in me, how I go about my business, trying to help them.

"It's a good thing. It's a good place to be when all the guys like you and trust you and they like the work you do behind the plate. Hopefully, I can just keep doing what I'm doing."

Pitcher Robbie Erlin had Rivera behind the plate during his victory in Cleveland on April 9. He said that Rivera had a knack of making him feel at ease throughout that start where Erlin allowed one run in six innings with six strikeouts in a victory.

"He really works for the pitchers, you know he's doing everything he can to help you. From a pitchers' standpoint, you get a comfortable level from that, you know it's you two versus the opposition," Erlin said. "He calls a good game, too.

"You know that he's doing everything he can for you, getting you to throw that right pitch, helping you execute it and just making you comfortable so you can do the best job possible."

Rivera has caught all three of Andrew Cashner's starts this season, including his one-hit shutout of the Tigers on April 11.

"I think all our catchers do a great job," said Padres manager Bud Black. "With Rene, he does a nice job instilling confidence in our pitchers, he has a nice rapport with them."