PITTSBURGH -- Robbie Erlin got the perfect tuneup for his foray back into the starting rotation.
With the Padres ahead by four runs in the ninth inning Saturday night, Erlin, who hadn't pitched since Monday, faced three Pirates hitters and retired them all. He's slated to start Monday in Washington in place of the ailing Joey Lucchesi.
"It was almost a bullpen side session for him, an opportunity to face a couple of hitters," said Padres manager Andy Green. "He was efficient enough where it worked out really well.