Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
The Padres are back at Petco Park this weekend for three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
     
But their month-long journey is far from over. After this series is over, the Padres return to the road for another six-game road trip to Oakland and Arizona before finally returning to Petco Park for a seven-game homestand that begins July 9 against the Dodgers.
    
However, over the 31 days between June 7 and July 9, the Padres will have played only five of 27 games at home. Even two of the four days they had off were on the road.
     
Thus far, the Padres are 7-11 during this grueling part of the 2018 schedule.
     
"I've never seen a schedule like this," Andy Green said recently.
     
But there is one silver lining.
     
"These guys genuinely enjoy each other and hanging out on the road," said Green. "It's a good mix of veterans and younger guys."
     
By the way, the Padres haven't exactly been visiting resort destinations during this journey. They've made stops in such heat/humidity hot spots as St. Louis, Atlanta and Arlington, Tex.
     
The temperature at Wednesday's first pitch in Texas was 101 degrees with a heat index of 105. Wednesday marked the 11th time in Padres history that they have started a game in triple-digit heat. Wednesday's game was the hottest at first pitch in the Major Leagues this season.
     
NOTEBOOK:
     
--LHP Clayton Richard went seven innings in Wednesday's heat, marking his 10th straight start of six or more innings. He has completed at least seven innings in seven of those starts, including two, eight-inning efforts. During the run, Richard is 6-3 (and the Padres are 7-3 with a 3.25 earned run average).
     
--Thanks to Tyson Ross (six innings Tuesday) and Richard, the Padres bullpen was needed to work only four innings in the past two games after working 22 innings (over a total of 18 appearances) in the previous four games.
     
--C A.J. Ellis has reached base in 12 straight games. He is hitting .333 (11-for-33) with eight walks during the streak with a double, four RBIs and three runs scored. He has a .463 on-base percentage during the on-base streak with a .826 OPS.
     
--RF Hunter Renfroe has made five straight starts against both righties and lefties, going 7-for-19 with two doubles, a home run and two walks - for a slash line of .368/.429/.737/1.165.