Friars outfield trio accomplishes rare feat

SAN DIEGO -- On Saturday, the Padres had all three of their starting outfielders record an assist -- the first time that's has happened since June 9, 1986 when Tony Gwynn, Kevin McReynolds and Carmelo Martinez each had an assist in a game.

"I didn't know that," Padres first-base coach Dave Roberts, who works with the San Diego outfielders, said.

Right fielder Will Venable made a sliding catch in the seventh inning that turned into an inning-ending double play when he doubled Todd Helton off second base.

Then in the eighth inning, left fielder Chris Denorfia was credited with an assist on a throw to the plate that came out of the glove of catcher Nick Hundley as the Rockies scored their lone run.

Finally, and possibly most notably, center fielder Alexi Amarista doubled off Michael Cuddyer at first base to end the game after catching a fly ball.

The Padres are the only team this season to record three outfield assists twice in a game. The other time came on July 2 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. There have only been six games this season when a team has had three outfield assists.

"Three outfield assists from three different guys … it's pretty much unprecedented in baseball," Roberts said. "It's not always about the strongest arm. Our guys do a great job of getting to the ball, getting rid of it and trying to be accurate. I tip my hat to all three of those guys."