PITTSBURGH -- Last September, Clayton Richard re-upped for two more seasons in San Diego. While the Padres waited on their horde of top pitching prospects to arrive, they needed an innings-eater and a veteran presence in their clubhouse to help nurture a young staff. They figured Richard was their guy.
It sure seems like a sound investment.
Richard was spectacular on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, working 7 1/3 innings of two-run ball in a 6-2 Padres victory. He held the Pirates scoreless for seven frames, using just 67 pitches to do so, before unraveling a bit in the eighth.