SAN DIEGO -- It may be nearly August, but there have been a few times this season when Padres pitcher James Shields has been abruptly reminded that he now pitches in the National League.
One of those occurred on Wednesday, when Shields was lifted from his start after five scoreless innings and 96 pitches for a pinch-hitter against the Giants at Petco Park.
"In a National League game, you're never really surprised to be pinch-hit for," said Shields, who spent the first nine seasons of his career in the American League. "It is just part of the game.