SAN DIEGO -- When the Padres stole the show at the Trade Deadline two weeks ago -- landing
In the first game of a doubleheader against the Giants at Petco Park, Clevinger went the distance with seven scoreless frames in a 6-0 Padres victory. He struck out seven and allowed just two hits.\n\n“It was really good, from the first pitch all the way through,” said Padres manager Jayce Tingler.\n\n“I had a not-so-excellent bullpen before this,” Clevinger said. “And then the second I got on the mound, it felt like everything was there.”
With their sixth straight victory, the Padres assured themselves of a season at least .500 or better for the first time since 2010. But they have loftier goals than .500.\n\nSan Diego’s first trip to the postseason since 2006 is a near certainty at this point, and the Friars can lock up their place this week. It’s no longer a matter of “if.” It’s a matter of “when.”\n\nWhen the Padres reach the postseason, it sure seems like they’re planning for Clevinger to take the ball first -- especially considering they moved Clevinger ahead of
Clevinger, of course, is highly unorthodox on the mound -- from his flowing hair to his jittery pace to his herky-jerky delivery. He’s an uncomfortable matchup. Just ask the Giants, who faced him for the first time on Sunday.\n\nSan Francisco mustered three baserunners as Clevinger cruised through his seven-inning shutout on 99 pitches.