SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres have extended the contract of left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard through the 2019 season, Executive Vice President & General Manager A.J. Preller announced today.
 
"Clayton has been a steadying presence in our rotation, both on and off the field," Preller said. "He has provided veteran leadership for our young ball club, and his tireless work ethic sets the standard among his peers. We're extremely excited to have him in a Padres uniform for two more years."
 
Richard, 34, leads the Padres with a club-high-tying 30 starts this season and ranks seventh in the National League with 185.0 innings pitched, going 7-14 with a 4.82 ERA (99 ER, 185.0 IP). He currently leads all of Major League Baseball in pickoffs (eight), ranks tied for first in ground balls induced (355) and is one of five pitchers this season to throw multiple complete nine-inning games. He has forced opponents to ground into 29 double plays this season, which ranks tied for first in the National League and tied for third in the majors.
 
Originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the eighth round of the 2005 MLB Draft, the 6-5, 239-pound left hander has posted a 60-67 record with a 4.33 ERA (514 ER, 1068.1 IP) and 679 strikeouts against 356 walks in 236 appearances, 171 starts, over parts of nine Major League seasons.