Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Left-hander Clayton Richard won his fourth straight start Friday night in San Francisco, holding the Giants to two runs on three hits and no walks with four strikeouts in six innings.
The outing was notable in several areas:
It marked the ninth straight start that Richard worked six or more innings. He went eight innings twice and seven or more innings in six of the nine starts. It is the longest such streak by a left-handed starter this season. His earned run average over the nine starts is 3.03 for 62 1/3 innings.
Over his four-start winning streak in June, Richard has allowed eight runs on 17 hits and seven walks in 26 innings for a 2.77 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP.
Eleven of the 17 balls put into play against Richard Friday night were ground balls. He entered the game with a National League-leading 58.9 percent ground-ball rate.
Friday night's outing was Richard's best against a National League West opponent this season. In nine starts outside the division, Richard has a 2.67 earned run average and a 0.97 WHIP -- allowing 20 runs (19 earned) on 49 hits and 13 walks with 49 strikeouts in 64 innings. In seven starts against National League West rivals, the 34-year-old has a 7.00 ERA and a 1.867 WHIP -- giving up 29 runs (28 earned) on 40 hits and 19 walks with 32 strikeouts in 36 innings.
Notebook
• INF Cory Spangenberg has hit in a career-high 11 straight starts dating back to June 4, going 18-for-45 (.400) with a double, two triples and two home runs for six RBIs and 11 runs scored. During the streak, Spangenberg raised his batting average from .175 to .238. He was 2-for-4 with two runs scored Friday night with his fourth double of the season -- and his first double since April 15. Since then he has had two triples and four home runs. Spangenberg also has a nine-game hitting streak against the Giants.
• CF Manuel Margot had his third straight 2-for-3 game Friday night, which has raised his batting average from .226 to .245. He also has three doubles in the past two games in San Francisco, giving him 15 on the season. Since June 12, Margot has had hits in six games. In each of those games, he had two or more hits. He is hitting .357 in June (20-for-56) with six doubles, a triple and six RBIs. He also has seven walks for a .429 on-base percentage.
• RHP Kirby Yates has made nine straight scoreless appearances, lowering his ERA from 1.35 to 0.90. During the run, he has allowed five hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in 10 innings.
• The five-game losing streak that ended Friday night was the Padres' longest of the season.