Padres: Mike Clevinger goes the distance in first game of DH

Mike Clevinger gave his best effort in a Padres uniform to date, going all seven innings in the team’s 6-0 win in the first game of a twin bill.

That’s more like the Mike Clevinger the Padres were expecting. After shaking off some nerves in his first game, in which he still pitched a tremendous effort, his second start was overshadowed by both Nolan Arenado‘s three-run homer off him and the Padres offensive outburst. The Friars and Giants were set to make up at least two of their three games that were postponed because of a player on the Giants testing positive for COVID.

The 29-year-old fanned seven Giants while allowing just two hits and a walk. The Padres offense came through with some unlikely contributors, as Greg Garcia knocked in half of the team’s six runs.

Wil Myers continued his hot streak, hitting a two-run single in the bottom of the third inning. Myers, 29, has been one of the best stories on this Padres roster this year, in that he looked like he might be a salary dump in the offseason. But general manager AJ Preller hung onto him, and Myers is having a comeback-like year.

The Padres also got a key RBI single from Jurickson Profar in the bottom of the sixth inning before Clevinger finished off the Giants. Profar is now batting .248 on the year, including .314 in September, after starting 3-for-37 on the year.

Giants’ starting Johnny Cueto went 5.1 innings but fanned only two while giving up six runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks. Entering Sunday, the 34-year-old had a 3.53 ERA in 16 starts with an 8.9 K/9 in his career against the Friars. However, he hasn’t faced a Padres team this deep and talented.