2 Padres players breaking out of early-season slumps, 1 who still has to turn it around

Padres pitcher Michael Wacha is pitching much better after a disastrous month of April

In the month of April, Michael Wacha did not pitch well at all. The right-hander had an ERA of 6.75, and that was while pitching against mainly inferior competition. Ironically, his one good start came against a loaded Braves team.

Wacha wasn't signed to be an ace, but San Diego with their inconsistent offense needed more from him. In his three starts in the month of May, Wacha has looked like a different guy.

Wacha began his month with six scoreless innings against the Reds. He allowed just two hits and looked dominant all day. San Diego lost, but that wasn't close to his fault.

Wacha followed that up by allowing one run in six innings in Minnesota against a solid Twins lineup in a Padres victory. His most recent start was his best, as he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Royals. He allowed just one hit in seven scoreless innings, walking one and striking out 11 batters.

I get that he pitched well against the Reds and Royals, but those are still teams you have to beat. It's not like San Diego swept those teams either.

If they get this version of Michael Wacha, their fourth or fifth starter, the team will be in such great shape. Obviously one run across three starts is unrealistic, but he's shaken his early-season struggles.