With shutout, Cashner gives energy, reliability

SAN DIEGO -- Most folks around Petco Park were still raving about Andrew Cashner's one-hit, 11-strikeout shutout in a 6-0 win over Detroit on Friday night, and that's certainly no surprise.

Cashner became the first pitcher in the Majors to throw a shutout this season, and going back to last September in Pittsburgh, the big right-hander has fired one-hitters in two of his past five starts.

"He made a lot of big pitches even when it was 2-0," San Diego closer Huston Street said. "He didn't have a six-run lead the whole game, which adds to the significance of it."

Opening a 10-game homestand, and knowing the Tigers were starting Justin Verlander on Saturday and Max Scherzer on Sunday, the Padres knew they needed a big game from Cashner, and he answered the bell.

Not only that, Cashner, at 235 pounds, went first-to-third on Everth Cabrera's seventh-inning single to right and then scored on Chris Denorfia's 6-2 fielder's choice, sliding home ahead of the throw.

"He wants to help the team win any way he can," Street said. "Bunting, sliding home for a big run … he's hustling. He's a baseball player.

"When he takes the mound, it gives us energy."