Joey Lucchesi helped a tired bullpen, won a game and took a giant step toward being the pitcher he and the Padres think he can be.
The 26-year-old went seven innings on Monday, and the Padres beat the Brewers 2-0 in the opener of a three-game series at Petco Park.
As soon as pinch-hitter Manny Pina was announced as the first batter of the eighth, Andy Green walked the mound to remove Lucchesi. The left-hander left to cheers after allowing just three hits in getting the Padres their first quality start since his last start.
Craig Stammen replaced Lucchesi and pitched a perfect eighth, and Kirby Yates was perfect in the ninth in earning his major league-leading 25th save.