Edinson Volquez Fans 10 in 3-1 Win Over Pirates

I don't think I was alone in being nervous when Edinson Volquez first took the mound last night. Thankfully, Volquez put fears to rest by retiring his first five batters in order and pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings before giving up the only Pirates run of the game.

It also helped that our Padres got out to an early lead. It started in the 1st inning with a leadoff double by Everth Cabrera, followed by an RBI single by Will Venable. A passed ball and then a groundout by Chase Headley allowed Venable to reach third base, from which he later scored on a groundout by Yasmani Grandal. In the 2nd, Cameron Maybin singled and later came home on another RBI single by Venable. That was the extent of Padres scoring for the night, but it was enough to give Volquez a modest lead to protect, which he did.

After three awful starts in a row, Volquez went out there with redemption on his mind. He ended his night after 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball in which he gave up only five hits. He walked three and tied a season high in strikeouts (10). Despite his great night, Bud Black still thinks Volquez has "more in there."

Brad Brach came in with two outs in the seventh inning when the Pirates put the tying run at first base. With the count full, Brach struck out McCutchen to remove the threat and end the inning. Luke Gregerson pitched a scoreless 8th despite giving up a hit and issuing a walk. Dale Thayer closed out the game and got his seventh win of the season.

Former Padre Kevin Correia, who was announced as Pittsburgh's starter just hours before game time, pitched well for the situation he was in. Coming off no rest, having pitched two innings in the Pirates' 19-inning marathon the night before, he went 4 1/3 innings before giving way to the bullpen. Our Friars got to Correia early, but after that he settled down. He gave up three runs (two earned) on the night, scattering seven hits while walking one and striking out two, and his efforts gave Pirates relievers a chance to rest their arms. Kyle McPherson and Justin Wilson also helped the cause by pitching three scoreless innings. Both of them had been called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Indianapolis and made their major league debuts last night.

Roll Call: TheThinGwynn, Darklighter, jodes0405, Friar Fever, Wonko, Axion, abara, mrbarneydangles, wegotballsley, Sam (sdsuaztec4), chris.callahan.7777, Jonathan Holmes, ariz2cali, B Cres, padres4life

Total Users: 15
Total Posts: 537