San Diego Padres starter Clayton Richard entered Saturday’s game coming off consecutive eight-inning outings. After watching the way he handled the Pirates Saturday night, it’s easier to see why.
Padres pitching made life tough on the Pirates during their 6-2 loss Saturday night. Richard stifled them for seven innings. They rallied in the eighth, but came up short. Solo home runs allowed by Tyler Glasnow and George Kontos widened the Padres’ lead.
Some of the Pirates have firsthand knowledge of Richard. The 34-year-old lefty spent spring training with the Pirates in 2015 and pitched for Class AAA Indianapolis before an upward mobility clause in his minor league contract forced the Pirates to trade him to the Chicago Cubs.