Padres Keep Winning; Thatcher Activated

The Padres keep rolling in first place, putting the Reds away early today and winning 10-4.

Matt Stairs got his first start of the season, although he only played about half the game. He contributed an RBI double in a 1-for-4 outing.

Kevin Correia took a no-hitter into the sixth. He’s been very sharp this season, and I think he’s probably the best starter on the San Diego staff right now.

Lefty Joe Thatcher recorded the final out of the game on a strikeout. It was the first major league game that Thatcher has appeared in this season after spending the last two weeks on a Triple-A rehab assignment. It’s good for Thatcher to get off to a nice start in the majors after he had an up-and-down six games in Portland.

To make room for Thatcher on the roster, the Padres sent Cesar Ramos to Portland; Ramos had been the only lefty in the bullpen. Ramos was used in a severe specialist role, recording seven outs (3 K’s) in six games. He pitched well for the Padres, although it’s such a small sample it barely matters. Ramos suffered from a dead arm his first couple of times out, throwing in the 85-89 mph range rather than his usual 90-93, but his velocity has begun to pick up as the games have gone on