SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres were on the wrong end of a much too familiar result at home: a shutout.

Clayton Mortensen and five relievers combined to help the Colorado Rockies shut out the Padres 3-0 on Monday night for their major league-leading 10th shutout, seventh at home.

San Diego, owners of the NL’s worst home record at 12-22, seemed to have turned a corner at spacious Petco Park as they began a season-long 11-game homestand last week. The Padres not only took three of four from the Houston Astros, but they scored 20 runs in the series.

But Monday night, Mortensen and much of the Rockies’ bullpen held San Diego without a timely hit as they combined to strand 11 runners and snap the Padres’ three-game winning streak.

“From a hitting standpoint, we just need to stay after it,” said catcher Kyle Phillips. “We’ve been swinging the bat well. We got nine hits, we just didn’t get any two-out hits.”

The lack of offense wasted a solid outing from Clayton Richard, who allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. The lefty struck out a season-high eight batters with three walks.

“You’re always frustrated with losses, no matter what the situation,” he said. “But that’s how baseball is. We’ve been playing some real good baseball of late. We had a rough night at the plate. We’ll bounce back.”

The Padres’ seven shutouts at home are the most since they moved into their downtown ballpark in 2004.

The Rockies won for just the fifth time in 17 games, but continued their success at Petco Park where they have won eight of the last 10.

Mortensen (2-3) allowed five hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked two before he gave way to the relief corp. Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances.

Matt Reynolds, the fourth Colorado reliever, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning. Rafael Betancourt started the inning and gave up a single and walk with one out. After he struck out Jorge Cantu for the second out, Reynolds came in and walked pinch hitter Eric Patterson before he struck out Alberto Gonzalez.

San Diego stranded 11 base runners.

Troy Tulowitzki drove in the first run in the first inning and Seth Smith had an RBI triple. Chris Iannetta added a run-scoring single off Ernesto Frieri in the ninth.

Colorado raised its June road record to 3-2, one road win more than it had in May (2-11).

The Rockies reached Richard for a run in the first inning after Chris Nelson’s one-out triple and Tulowitzki’s ground ball that caromed off Richard’s foot for an infield single.

San Diego had runners on second and third with one out in the first, but Mortensen struck out Ryan Ludwick and Brad Hawpe to end the inning.

Chase Headley extended his career-high hitting streak to 16 games with a first-inning single.

NOTES: The Rockies have scored three runs or less in 12 of the last 13 games. … Colorado reliever Rex Brothers made his major league debut in the seventh inning. … Colorado CF Dexter Fowler (abdomen discomfort) sat out his second straight game after playing in the first 57. … Rockies manager Jim Tracy moved slumping OF Carlos Gonzalez into the leadoff slot from the No. 3 hole in the batting order. Tracy said the move was to jump start the struggling Gonzalez, who struck out four times in Sunday’s loss at San Francisco. For the three-game series, Gonzalez was 2 for 11 with seven strikeouts. … Padres 1B Brad Hawpe played RF for the first time this season. Hawpe, who played right field almost exclusively for seven seasons with Colorado and Tampa Bay, had played just nine games at 1B before this season.

TUCSON, AZ – The Tucson Padres, in conjunction with the San Diego Padres, have announced the club’s 2011 Opening Day roster. The inaugural team in Tucson Padres history includes top prospects like Anthony Rizzo and Simon Castro, as well as proven major league veterans like Bobby Kielty and Randy Flores.

Below is a short bio for each player reporting to Tucson:

Catchers

Luis Martinez -Catcher

Born: 4/3/1985

Hometown: Miami, FL

Added to Padres 40-man roster on 11/19/2010…. Hit .282 in 106 Double-A games last year…. Originally a 12th round pick in 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Guillermo Quiroz – Catcher

Born: 11/29/1981

Hometown: Maracaibo, VZ

13th professional season…. Major league time with TOR, SEA, TEX, BAL…. Voted best defensive catcher in the Triple-A International League in 2004…. Originally signed by Blue Jays in 1998…. Has 98 career professional home runs.

Infielders

Jesus Guzman – Third Base/First Base

Born: 6/14/1984

Hometown: Caracas, VEN

Played for Triple-A Fresno last season, hitting .321 with 18 HR and 72 RBI…. Played 12 games for San Francisco in 2009, going 3-for-9 as a pinch hitter for the Giants…. Has also played in the Mariners and Athletics organizations.

Everth Cabrera – Shortstop/Second Base

Born: 11/17/1986

Hometown: Nandaime, Nicaragua

Has played 179 major league games with San Diego…. One of three major league home runs was a walk-off grand slam against Mets’ closer Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez on 8/7/2009…. Named 2009 Professional Sports Athlete of the Year in Nicaragua….. Was only 11th Nicaraguan player ever in Major League Baseball.

Logan Forsythe – Second Base/Shortstop

Born: 1/14/1987

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Padres supplemental first round pick in 2008…. Played second base for the first time last season for Double-A San Antonio…. Padres 13th best prospect according to Baseball America…. Very patient hitter, in 2009 had second most walks in all of Minor League Baseball (109).

Anthony Rizzo – First Base

Born: 8/8/1989

Hometown: Parkland, FL

One of four players acquired from Red Sox in trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego to Boston…. Rated Padres second best prospect by Baseball America…. Led Red Sox minor league system in home runs (25) in 2010…. Limited to 28 games in 2008 after being diagnosed with Limited Stage Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Andy Parrino – Infield

Born: 10/31/1985

Hometown: Brockport, NY

Double-A Texas League All-Star last season…. 2008 Single-A Midwest League All-Star for Fort Wayne…. Played six different positions for Double-A San Antonio last season.

Outfielders

Matt Clark – Outfield

Born: 12/10/1986

Hometown: Riverside, CA

Padres 12th round choice in 2008 First Year Player Draft…. Led Double-A San Antonio in home runs last year with 28.

Luis Durango – Outfield

Born: 4/23/1986

Hometown: Panama City, Panama

Seventh professional season…. Rated fastest baserunner in Padres organization by Baseball America in 2010…. Batted .545 in nine major league games for the Padres in 2009…. Played for Panama in 2009 World Baseball Classic…. Won 2007 Northwest League batting title (.378) and 2006 AZL Rookie League batting title (.342).

Aaron Cunningham – Outfield

Born: 4/24/1986

Hometown: Laveen, AZ

Seventh professional season…. 98 career MLB games with Oakland and San Diego…. Has three home runs and 35 RBI in MLB career…. First Padres hit was a grand slam vs. Toronto 6/15/2010…. Has been traded three times – White Sox to Diamondbacks in June of 2007, Diamondbacks to Athletics in December of 2007, Athletics to Padres in January of 2010.

Dan Payne – Outfield

Born: 9/8/1985

Hometown: Woodstock, GA

Padres first round pick (64th overall) in 2007 First Year Player Draft.

Bobby Kielty – Outfield

Born: 8/5/1976

Hometown: Fontana, CA

Seven seasons in major leagues with Athletics, Twins, Blue Jays and Red Sox…. Went 1-for-1 with a home run in the 2007 World Series for Boston.

Starting Pitchers

Wade LeBlanc – Pitcher

Born: 8/7/1984

Hometown: Lake Charles, LA

Parts of the last three seasons with the Padres, including 25 major league starts last year…. Had 110 strikeouts and only 51 walks in 2010…. Had eight pickoffs, second most in MLB last year…. Had second most strikeouts (139) in Pacific Coast League in 2008…. Originally selected in the second round of 2006 Draft by San Diego.

Will Inman – Pitcher

Born: 2/6/1987

Hometown: Danville, VA

Made 11 starts for Triple-A Portland last year, posting a 3.61 ERA…. In 2006 for Single-A West Virginia, led all of Minor League Baseball in ERA (1.71).

Josh Geer – Pitcher

Born: 6/2/1983

Hometown: Forney, TX

2007 Padres Minor League Pitcher of the Year…. Pitched in 35 career major league games, all with San Diego.

Simon Castro – Pitcher

Born: 4/9/1988

Hometown: San Jose de los Llanos, Dominican Republic

Padres number three prospect according to Baseball America…. Split last season between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Portland…. Threw a seven-inning no-hitter for Single-A Fort Wayne on 8/18/2009 against Dayton….. Led the Single-A Midwest League in strikeouts (157) in 2009….. Named the 2009 Padres Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Jeremy Hefner – Pitcher

Born: 3/11/1986

Hometown: Perkins, OK

Led the Double-A Texas League in innings (167.2) and was second in strikeouts (115) in 2010…. Named to Texas League’s mid-season and post-season All-Star teams…. Originally a 10th round pick of the Padres in the 2007 amateur draft.

Relievers

Jon Leicester – Pitcher

Born: 2/7/1979

Hometown: Mariposa, CA

First year in Padres organization…. Major league time with Orioles and Cubs.

Randy Flores – Pitcher

Born: 7/31/1975

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

Signed by Padres in February of 2011…. Has pitched eight seasons in the major leagues, with TEX, COL, STL, and MIN…. Winning pitcher in Game Seven of the 2006 NLCS for Cardinals against Mets…. Pitched a scoreless inning in 2006 World Series for STL.

Aaron Poreda – Pitcher

Born: 10/1/1986

Hometown: Moraga, CA

Has pitched in 14 major league games, posting a 2.70 ERA…. Acquired by Padres with LHP Clayton Richard and two other pitchers from CWS in exchange for RHP Jake Peavy in 2009…. Threw a five-inning, rain-shortened no-hitter for Double-A Birmingham 5/4/2009.

Luis Perdomo – Pitcher

Born: 4/27/1984

Hometown: San Cristobal, DR

Struck out seven batters 7/25/2009 at WSH, tied for most in a game by a major league reliever in 2009…. Spent all of 2009 in the major leagues with the Padres, pitching in 35 games, striking out 55 and walking 34…. Has also pitched in Indians and Cardinals organizations.

Greg Burke – Pitcher

Born: 9/21/1982

Hometown: Camden, NJ

Seventh professional season….. Pitched in 48 major league games with Padres in 2009, going 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA…. Double-A Texas League All-Star in 2008…… Undrafted out of college, signed with independent Atlantic City Surf of the Atlantic League in 2005.

Scott Munter -Pitcher

Born: 3/7/1980

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Pitched in 49 games for Triple-A Portland last season, posting a 2.66 ERA…. Spent parts of three seasons in the major leagues with the Giants, pitching in 84 games…. Has also pitched in the Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies organizations.

Evan Scribner – Pitcher

Born: 7/19/1985

Hometown: Washington Depot, CT

Double-A Texas League All-Star led league in appearances (57) and games finished (36)…. Acquired by Padres in exchange for INF Tony Clark in 2008…. Originally signed by Diamondbacks in 2007 out of Central Connecticut State University.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

ST. LOUIS — One more win, and the San Diego Padres have their first season-opening sweep since 1984. Patience at the plate got them to this point.

Pitcher Clayton Richard had two RBI to match his career high without getting the ball out of the infield and pitched six solid innings in an 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. The Padres broke it open with a six-run fifth that included four hits, four walks and a sacrifice fly.

“We did a really good job of working (Jake) Westbrook,” Chase Headley said. “By guys laying off and having tough at-bats, even if they were making outs, they were taking five, six, seven or eight pitches and that takes its toll over the course of time.

“We waited them out,” Headley added.

Albert Pujols homered on the 10th anniversary of his major league debut and Allen Craig, subbing for ailing Matt Holliday, had a two-run single for the Cardinals. St. Louis led 2-0 after one inning and 3-2 after three but Westbrook (0-1) was knocked out after retiring only one of six batters in the Padres’ six-run sixth.

“I’m concerned about everything all the time, so you don’t get surprised,” manager Tony La Russa said. “I’m concerned about everybody.”

Headley had a career best-tying four RBI, including a two-run homer in the ninth for the Padres, who are 6-14 at 6-year-old Busch Stadium but clinched their first series win in St. Louis since September 2006. They’ll go for their first three-game sweep in St. Louis since May 23-25, 1980, on Sunday with Dustin Moseley facing Jaime Garcia, third in NL rookie of year voting but coming off a rough spring.

The Padres’ last sweep to open the season was a two-gamer in 1984 at home against the Pirates. They haven’t opened the season with a three-game sweep since April 8-10, 1969, their inaugural season, at home against the Houston Astros.

“The Cardinals have always played the Padres extremely tough here,” manager Bud Black said. “There’s a long ways to go and it’s only two games.”

Cardinals pitchers totaled eight walks, two of them intentional but also two with the bases loaded.

Three of the Cardinals’ five hits off Richard (1-0) came in a first capped by Craig’s two-run single. The only other damage came from Pujols’ first hit of the season, a drive into the visitors’ bullpen leading off the third put St. Louis ahead 3-2 and ended an 0-for-6 start that featured a career-worst three double-play balls in the opener.

“It was a home run pitch,” Richard said. “It was a backdoor cutter slash slider and he hit it good. After that, we did. He hit it good. After that, we all did well. I threw more strikes and the bullpen did a great job after I left. They threw well.

Richard, who had entered 2-9 with a 5.63 on the road, allowed only two baserunners the rest of his outing.

Richard has nine career RBIs, including three two-run games. His perfectly executed squeeze bunt tied it at 2 in the second and Jason Motte walked him on four pitches for the fifth run in the Padres’ fifth.

“I was waiting until I got a strike,” Richard said. “He didn’t throw me one and I got the walk. That was good.”

A pair of infield hits, a sacrifice and an intentional walk loaded the bases in the fifth ahead of Ryan Ludwick’s five-pitch run-scoring walk to snap a 3-all tie and Headley’s two-run single chased Westbrook. The right-hander walked five, one below his career worst, and four of them produced runs.

“I guess there’s some comfort in knowing I wasn’t getting hit around a whole lot,” Westbrook said. “But it’s still not the pitcher I am.”

San Diego was 3-6 to start the 2010 season, in which it was eliminated on the final day of the season.

Notes

• Padres RHP Mat Latos, on the DL with a shoulder injury, threw out of the bullpen. He’s scheduled to throw an extended simulated game Monday in Arizona and could join the rotation in a week or so.
• Nick Hundley has a pair of two-hit games to open the year and had two RBIs Saturday.
• Despite the poor start, the Cardinals have the major leagues’ best record in the opening month since 2006 at 76-50 (.603).
• Westbrook entered 2-1 with an 0.55 ERA in four career appearances against the Padres, three of them starts.

Updated Apr 2, 2011 8:21 PM ET

ST. LOUIS (AP)

One more win, and the San Diego Padres have their first season-opening sweep since 1984. Patience at the plate got them to this point.

Pitcher Clayton Richard had two RBIs to match his career high without getting the ball out of the infield and pitched six solid innings in an 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. The Padres broke it open with a six-run fifth that included four hits, four walks and a sacrifice fly.

”We did a really good job of working (Jake) Westbrook,” Chase Headley said. ”By guys laying off and having tough at-bats, even if they were making outs, they were taking five, six, seven or eight pitches and that takes its toll over the course of time.

”We waited them out,” Headley added.

Albert Pujols homered on the 10th anniversary of his major league debut and Allen Craig, subbing for ailing Matt Holliday, had a two-run single for the Cardinals. St. Louis led 2-0 after one inning and 3-2 after three but Westbrook (0-1) was knocked out after retiring only one of six batters in the Padres’ six-run sixth.

”I’m concerned about everything all the time, so you don’t get surprised,” manager Tony La Russa said. ”I’m concerned about everybody.”

Headley had a career best-tying four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the ninth for the Padres, who are 6-14 at 6-year-old Busch Stadium but clinched their first series win in St. Louis since September 2006. They’ll go for their first three-game sweep in St. Louis since June 23-25, 1980, on Sunday with Dustin Moseley facing Jaime Garcia, third in NL rookie of year voting but coming off a rough spring.

The Padres’ last sweep to open the season was a two-gamer in 1984 at home against the Pirates. They haven’t opened the season with a three-game sweep since April 8-10, 1969, their inaugural season, at home against the Houston Astros.

”The Cardinals have always played the Padres extremely tough here,” manager Bud Black said. ”There’s a long ways to go and it’s only two games.”

Cardinals pitchers totaled eight walks, two of them intentional but also two with the bases loaded.

Three of the Cardinals’ five hits off Richard (1-0) came in a first capped by Craig’s two-run single. The only other damage came from Pujols’ first hit of the season, a drive into the visitors’ bullpen leading off the third put St. Louis ahead 3-2 and ended an 0-for-6 start that featured a career-worst three double-play balls in the opener.

”It was a home run pitch,” Richard said. ”It was a backdoor cutter slash slider and he hit it good. After that, we did. He hit it good. After that, we all did well. I threw more strikes and the bullpen did a great job after I left. They threw well.

Richard, who had entered 2-9 with a 5.63 on the road, allowed only two baserunners the rest of his outing.

Richard has nine career RBIs, including three two-run games. His perfectly executed squeeze bunt tied it at 2 in the second and Jason Motte walked him on four pitches for the fifth run in the Padres’ fifth.

”I was waiting until I got a strike,” Richard said. ”He didn’t throw me one and I got the walk. That was good.”

A pair of infield hits, a sacrifice and an intentional walk loaded the bases in the fifth ahead of Ryan Ludwick’s five-pitch run-scoring walk to snap a 3-all tie and Headley’s two-run single chased Westbrook. The right-hander walked five, one below his career worst, and four of them produced runs.

”I guess there’s some comfort in knowing I wasn’t getting hit around a whole lot,” Westbrook said. ”But it’s still not the pitcher I am.”

San Diego was 3-6 to start the 2010 season, in which it was eliminated on the final day of the season.

NOTES: Padres RHP Mat Latos, on the DL with a shoulder injury, threw out of the bullpen. He’s scheduled to throw an extended simulated game Monday in Arizona and could join the rotation in a week or so. … Nick Hundley has a pair of two-hit games to open the year and had two RBIs Saturday. … Despite the poor start, the Cardinals have the major leagues’ best record in the opening month since 2006 at 76-50 (.603). … Westbrook entered 2-1 with an 0.55 ERA in four career appearances against the Padres, three of them starts.

Updated Apr 2, 2011 8:21 PM ET

ST. LOUIS (AP)

One more win, and the San Diego Padres have their first season-opening sweep since 1984. Patience at the plate got them to this point.

Pitcher Clayton Richard had two RBIs to match his career high without getting the ball out of the infield and pitched six solid innings in an 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. The Padres broke it open with a six-run fifth that included four hits, four walks and a sacrifice fly.

”We did a really good job of working (Jake) Westbrook,” Chase Headley said. ”By guys laying off and having tough at-bats, even if they were making outs, they were taking five, six, seven or eight pitches and that takes its toll over the course of time.

”We waited them out,” Headley added.

Albert Pujols homered on the 10th anniversary of his major league debut and Allen Craig, subbing for ailing Matt Holliday, had a two-run single for the Cardinals. St. Louis led 2-0 after one inning and 3-2 after three but Westbrook (0-1) was knocked out after retiring only one of six batters in the Padres’ six-run sixth.

”I’m concerned about everything all the time, so you don’t get surprised,” manager Tony La Russa said. ”I’m concerned about everybody.”

Headley had a career best-tying four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the ninth for the Padres, who are 6-14 at 6-year-old Busch Stadium but clinched their first series win in St. Louis since September 2006. They’ll go for their first three-game sweep in St. Louis since June 23-25, 1980, on Sunday with Dustin Moseley facing Jaime Garcia, third in NL rookie of year voting but coming off a rough spring.

The Padres’ last sweep to open the season was a two-gamer in 1984 at home against the Pirates. They haven’t opened the season with a three-game sweep since April 8-10, 1969, their inaugural season, at home against the Houston Astros.

”The Cardinals have always played the Padres extremely tough here,” manager Bud Black said. ”There’s a long ways to go and it’s only two games.”

Cardinals pitchers totaled eight walks, two of them intentional but also two with the bases loaded.

Three of the Cardinals’ five hits off Richard (1-0) came in a first capped by Craig’s two-run single. The only other damage came from Pujols’ first hit of the season, a drive into the visitors’ bullpen leading off the third put St. Louis ahead 3-2 and ended an 0-for-6 start that featured a career-worst three double-play balls in the opener.

”It was a home run pitch,” Richard said. ”It was a backdoor cutter slash slider and he hit it good. After that, we did. He hit it good. After that, we all did well. I threw more strikes and the bullpen did a great job after I left. They threw well.

Richard, who had entered 2-9 with a 5.63 on the road, allowed only two baserunners the rest of his outing.

Richard has nine career RBIs, including three two-run games. His perfectly executed squeeze bunt tied it at 2 in the second and Jason Motte walked him on four pitches for the fifth run in the Padres’ fifth.

”I was waiting until I got a strike,” Richard said. ”He didn’t throw me one and I got the walk. That was good.”

A pair of infield hits, a sacrifice and an intentional walk loaded the bases in the fifth ahead of Ryan Ludwick’s five-pitch run-scoring walk to snap a 3-all tie and Headley’s two-run single chased Westbrook. The right-hander walked five, one below his career worst, and four of them produced runs.

”I guess there’s some comfort in knowing I wasn’t getting hit around a whole lot,” Westbrook said. ”But it’s still not the pitcher I am.”

San Diego was 3-6 to start the 2010 season, in which it was eliminated on the final day of the season.

NOTES: Padres RHP Mat Latos, on the DL with a shoulder injury, threw out of the bullpen. He’s scheduled to throw an extended simulated game Monday in Arizona and could join the rotation in a week or so. … Nick Hundley has a pair of two-hit games to open the year and had two RBIs Saturday. … Despite the poor start, the Cardinals have the major leagues’ best record in the opening month since 2006 at 76-50 (.603). … Westbrook entered 2-1 with an 0.55 ERA in four career appearances against the Padres, three of them starts.

Down two stars, the St. Louis Cardinals lost big-time.

Clayton Richard had two RBIs to match his career high without getting the ball out of the infield and pitched six solid innings in the San Diego Padres’ 11-3 victory on Saturday.

Albert Pujols homered on the 10th anniversary of his major league debut and Allen Craig, subbing for ailing Matt Holliday, had a two-run single for the Cardinals. St. Louis led 2-0 after one inning and 3-2 after three but Jake Westbrook (0-1) was knocked out after retiring only one of six batters in the Padres’ six-run sixth.

Even though Holliday is expected back in a week or so after undergoing an appendectomy on Friday, it’s another hit for a team that lost 20-game winner Adam Wainwright to reconstructive elbow surgery in February.

“You can’t think about Matt because he’s out of the lineup. Everybody knows that,” Pujols said. “We need to go out there and those nine guys that Tony (La Russa) puts in the lineup, those are the guys that are going to do the job.”

Chase Headley had a career best-tying four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the ninth for the Padres, who are 6-14 at 6-year-old Busch Stadium but clinched their first series win in St. Louis since September 2006. They’ll go for their first three-game sweep in St. Louis since May 23-25, 1980, on Sunday with Dustin Moseley facing Jaime Garcia, third in NL rookie of year voting but coming off a rough spring.

Cardinals pitchers totaled eight walks, two of them intentional but also two with the bases loaded.

Three of the Cardinals’ five hits off Richard (1-0) came in a first capped by Craig’s two-run single. The only other damage came from Pujols’ first hit of the season, a drive into the visitors’ bullpen leading off the third put St. Louis ahead 3-2 and ended an 0-for-6 start that featured a career-worst three double play balls in the opener.

Richard, who had entered 2-9 with a 5.63 ERA on the road, allowed only two baserunners the rest of his outing.

Richard has nine career RBIs, including three two-run games. His perfectly executed squeeze bunt tied it at 2 in the second and Jason Motte walked him on four pitches for the fifth run in the Padres’ fifth.

A pair of infield hits, a sacrifice and an intentional walk loaded the bases in the fifth ahead of Ryan Ludwick’s five-pitch, run-scoring walk to snap a 3-all tie and Headley’s two-run single chased Westbrook, whose five walks were one off his career worst.

“I feel great. It’s just a matter of finding it, harnessing it and being more consistent,” Westbrook said. “I was very excited but I’ve played long enough to where I was able to harness it.

“I wasn’t too amped up, but bottom line I wasn’t able to get the job done.”

San Diego was 3-6 to start the 2010 season, in which it was eliminated on the final day of the season.

NOTES: Padres RHP Mat Latos, on the DL with a shoulder injury, threw out of the bullpen and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday in Arizona. … Nick Hundley has a pair of two-hit games to open the year and had two RBIs Saturday. … Despite the poor start, the Cardinals have the major leagues’ best record in the opening month since 2006 at 76-50 (.603). … Pujols has homered in the first or second game of the season the last three years.

Down two stars, the St. Louis Cardinals lost big-time.

Clayton Richard had two RBIs to match his career high without getting the ball out of the infield and pitched six solid innings in the San Diego Padres’ 11-3 victory on Saturday.

Albert Pujols homered on the 10th anniversary of his major league debut and Allen Craig, subbing for ailing Matt Holliday, had a two-run single for the Cardinals. St. Louis led 2-0 after one inning and 3-2 after three but Jake Westbrook (0-1) was knocked out after retiring only one of six batters in the Padres’ six-run sixth.

Even though Holliday is expected back in a week or so after undergoing an appendectomy on Friday, it’s another hit for a team that lost 20-game winner Adam Wainwright to reconstructive elbow surgery in February.

“You can’t think about Matt because he’s out of the lineup. Everybody knows that,” Pujols said. “We need to go out there and those nine guys that Tony (La Russa) puts in the lineup, those are the guys that are going to do the job.”

Chase Headley had a career best-tying four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the ninth for the Padres, who are 6-14 at 6-year-old Busch Stadium but clinched their first series win in St. Louis since September 2006. They’ll go for their first three-game sweep in St. Louis since May 23-25, 1980, on Sunday with Dustin Moseley facing Jaime Garcia, third in NL rookie of year voting but coming off a rough spring.

Cardinals pitchers totaled eight walks, two of them intentional but also two with the bases loaded.

Three of the Cardinals’ five hits off Richard (1-0) came in a first capped by Craig’s two-run single. The only other damage came from Pujols’ first hit of the season, a drive into the visitors’ bullpen leading off the third put St. Louis ahead 3-2 and ended an 0-for-6 start that featured a career-worst three double play balls in the opener.

Richard, who had entered 2-9 with a 5.63 ERA on the road, allowed only two baserunners the rest of his outing.

Richard has nine career RBIs, including three two-run games. His perfectly executed squeeze bunt tied it at 2 in the second and Jason Motte walked him on four pitches for the fifth run in the Padres’ fifth.

A pair of infield hits, a sacrifice and an intentional walk loaded the bases in the fifth ahead of Ryan Ludwick’s five-pitch, run-scoring walk to snap a 3-all tie and Headley’s two-run single chased Westbrook, whose five walks were one off his career worst.

“I feel great. It’s just a matter of finding it, harnessing it and being more consistent,” Westbrook said. “I was very excited but I’ve played long enough to where I was able to harness it.

“I wasn’t too amped up, but bottom line I wasn’t able to get the job done.”

San Diego was 3-6 to start the 2010 season, in which it was eliminated on the final day of the season.

NOTES: Padres RHP Mat Latos, on the DL with a shoulder injury, threw out of the bullpen and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday in Arizona. … Nick Hundley has a pair of two-hit games to open the year and had two RBIs Saturday. … Despite the poor start, the Cardinals have the major leagues’ best record in the opening month since 2006 at 76-50 (.603). … Pujols has homered in the first or second game of the season the last three years.

Clayton Richard had two RBIs to match his career high without getting the ball out of the infield and pitched six solid innings in the San Diego Padres’ 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

Albert Pujols homered on the 10th anniversary of his major league debut and Allen Craig, subbing for ailing Matt Holliday, had a two-run single for the Cardinals. St. Louis led 2-0 after one inning and 3-2 after three but Jake Westbrook (0-1) was knocked out after retiring only one of six batters in the Padres’ six-run sixth.

Chase Headley had a career best-tying four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the ninth for the Padres, who are 6-14 at 6-year-old Busch Stadium but clinched their first series win in St. Louis since September 2006. They’ll go for their first three-game sweep in St. Louis since June 23-25, 1980, on Sunday with Dustin Moseley facing Jaime Garcia, third in NL rookie of year voting but coming off a rough spring.

Cardinals pitchers totaled eight walks, two of them intentional but also two with the bases loaded.

Three of the Cardinals’ five hits off Richard (1-0) came in a first capped by Craig’s two-run single. The only other damage came from Pujols’ first hit of the season, a drive into the visitors’ bullpen leading off the third put St. Louis ahead 3-2 and ended an 0-for-6 start that featured a career-worst three double play balls in the opener.

Richard, who had entered 2-9 with a 5.63 on the road, allowed only two baserunners the rest of his outing.

Richard has nine career RBIs, including three two-run games. His perfectly executed squeeze bunt tied it at 2 in the second and Jason Motte walked him on four pitches for the fifth run in the Padres’ fifth.

A pair of infield hits, a sacrifice and an intentional walk loaded the bases in the fifth ahead of Ryan Ludwick’s five-pitch run-scoring walk to snap a 3-all tie and Headley’s two-run single chased Westbrook.

San Diego was 3-6 to start the 2010 season, in which it was eliminated on the final day of the season.

NOTES: Padres RHP Mat Latos, on the DL with a shoulder injury, threw out of the bullpen and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday in Arizona. … Nick Hundley has a pair of two-hit games to open the year and had two RBIs Saturday. … Despite the poor start, the Cardinals have the major leagues’ best record in the opening month since 2006 at 76-50 (.603).

PEORIA – As the San Diego Padres made their final moves this week at spring training, their Triple-A team roster took on a more definite shape.

The Triple-A Tucson Padres will be a young group but will boast major-league experience and combine speed and power, Padres director of player development Randy Smith said Tuesday at the Padres’ spring training complex.

The Padres open the Pacific Coast League season April 7, then play their home opener April 15 at Kino Stadium. The team is expected to play at least two seasons in Tucson before a new ballpark is possibly built in Escondido, Calif.

Shortstop Everth Cabrera, outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Luis Durango, third baseman Jesus Guzman and starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc all have major-league experience and will play in Tucson. LeBlanc, who was a candidate for the major-league rotation and was optioned Monday to Tucson, is expected to be the opening day starter.

“It’s going to be a good club,” Smith said. “It’s going to be young, but I think it’s going to be pretty good, as long as we stay healthy and the major-league club stays healthy.”

Injuries already have impacted Tucson’s roster. A strained hamstring landed outfielder Eric Patterson on San Diego’s disabled list, allowing outfielder Cedric Hunter – initially expected to go to Tucson – to make the big club after an impressive spring. Hunter is expected to join Tucson eventually, while LeBlanc might be with Tucson briefly before going to the majors.

Others slated for Triple-A include first baseman Anthony Rizzo (part of the Adrian Gonzalez trade with Boston), second baseman Logan Forsythe, power-hitting first baseman Matt Clark, and closer Evan Scribner, a former Arizona Diamondbacks farmhand.

Outfielder Mike Baxter, who played 136 Triple-A games last season, will be out for two months because of a thumb injury.

The rotation will include LeBlanc, who started 25 games for San Diego last season, highly regarded prospect Simon Castro, Josh Geer (who pitched for San Diego in 2008-09), Jeremy Hefner and Will Inman. LeBlanc is the lone left-hander of the group.

As for the bullpen, Greg Burke, Scott Munter and Aaron Poreda will return to Triple-A.

“We’re going to be better,” said manager Terry Kennedy, who led the team in Portland, Ore., last season. “Being in Tucson will improve our offense.”

A spark

Cabrera was optioned to Tucson on Monday after the Padres acquired utilityman Alberto Gonzalez from the Washington Nationals. Cabrera received congratulations from his parents and teammates, who had read premature reports of him making the big club.

“It’s a little hard, but I know it happens in baseball,” he said.

The 24-year-old hit .208 in 76 games with San Diego last year after he batted .255 in 103 games in 2009. The Padres want him to play every day.

“He’ll provide a lot of energy for that team and spark,” Smith said.

Another possibility

Another former major-leaguer who could see time in Tucson is first baseman-outfielder Kyle Blanks, who underwent Tommy John surgery on July 30.

Blanks has been taking batting practice, but his throwing has been limited. He said his throwing intensified Monday, a positive step. Smith said he is unsure which level Blanks will go to, but he will need at-bats.

“It’s gone at a pretty good pace,” said Blanks, who has played 87 big-league games over the past two seasons. “In the last month, my activities have increased a lot more than I thought they would.”

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PEORIA, Ariz. – San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos took a little jab at San Francisco, all in the name of charity.

A San Diego-area memorabilia store advertised three baseballs with Latos’ signature and the words “I hate SF” below. The balls sold for $1,100, with half going to the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.

Latos and the Padres were eliminated from playoff contention by the San Francisco Giants on the final day of the season last year. The Giants took the NL West title over San Diego and went on to win the World Series.

Latos said he only intended to raise money for charity and meant no harm with the autographs.

“I did it all in fun,” he said Wednesday. “No disrespect to them. But it’s not going to matter what I say because people are going to take it however they want.”

Latos, who turned 23 in December, took the loss in the season finale at San Francisco but was a big reason the Padres were such a surprising success last year. The right-hander went 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA and 189 strikeouts in 31 starts. He also established a major league record by making 15 straight starts of five or more innings with two earned runs or less allowed from June 10 to Sept. 7.

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos took a little jab at San Francisco, all in the name of charity.

A San Diego-area memorabilia store advertised three baseballs with Latos’ signature and the words “I hate SF” below. The balls sold for $1,100, with half going to the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.

Latos and the Padres were eliminated from playoff contention by the San Francisco Giants on the final day of the season last year. The Giants took the NL West title over San Diego and went on to win the World Series.

Latos said he only intended to raise money for charity and meant no harm with the autographs.

“I did it all in fun,” he said Wednesday. “No disrespect to them. But it’s not going to matter what I say because people are going to take it however they want.”

Latos, who turned 23 in December, took the loss in the season finale at San Francisco but was a big reason the Padres were such a surprising success last year. The right-hander went 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA and 189 strikeouts in 31 starts. He also established a major league record by making 15 straight starts of five or more innings with two earned runs or less allowed from June 10 to Sept. 7.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos took a little jab at San Francisco, all in the name of charity.

A San Diego-area memorabilia store advertised three baseballs with Latos’ signature and the words “I hate SF” below. The balls sold for $1,100, with half going to the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.

Latos and the Padres were eliminated from playoff contention by the San Francisco Giants on the final day of the season last year. The Giants took the NL West title over San Diego and went on to win the World Series.

Latos said he only intended to raise money for charity and meant no harm with the autographs.

“I did it all in fun,” he said Wednesday. “No disrespect to them. But it’s not going to matter what I say because people are going to take it however they want.”

Latos, who turned 23 in December, took the loss in the season finale at San Francisco but was a big reason the Padres were such a surprising success last year. The right-hander went 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA and 189 strikeouts in 31 starts. He also established a major league record by making 15 straight starts of five or more innings with two earned runs or less allowed from June 10 to Sept. 7.

PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos took a little jab at the San Francisco Giants, all in the name of charity.

A San Diego-area memorabilia store advertised three baseballs with Latos’ signature and the words “I hate SF” below. The balls sold for $1,100, with half going to the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.

Latos and the Padres were eliminated from playoff contention by the Giants on the final day of the season last year. The Giants took the NL West title over San Diego and went on to win the World Series.

Latos said he only intended to raise money for charity and meant no harm with the autographs.

“I did it all in fun,” he said Wednesday. “No disrespect to them. But it’s not going to matter what I say because people are going to take it however they want.”

Latos, who turned 23 in December, took the loss in the season finale at San Francisco but was a big reason the Padres were such a surprising success last year. The right-hander went 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA and 189 strikeouts in 31 starts. He also established a major league record by making 15 straight starts of five or more innings with two earned runs or less allowed from June 10 to Sept. 7.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

By STAFF

Saratoga Catholic graduate Tim Stauffer is getting a raise, as the San Diego Padres avoided hearings with all five of their remaining arbitration-eligible players.

Pitchers Stauffer, Heath Bell and Mike Adams, third baseman Chase Headley and left fielder Ryan Ludwick are now all under contract for 2011.

“I was pretty happy to get all those guys done. I thought we might exchange on one guy. It was pretty smooth,” Padres general manager Jed Hoyer said.

Stauffer, who figures to be an important piece in the starting rotation, agreed to a deal worth $1.075 million, earning a big raise from his 2010 salary. He made $415,000 a year ago, when he was 6-5 with a 1.85 ERA between long relief and the rotation

Bell, who agreed to a deal worth $7.5 million, Ludwick ($6.775 million), Adams ($2.535 million) and Headley ($2.325 million) also earned raises from their 2010 salaries.

Bell, who had a career-high 47 saves last season, figured to be in for a big raise from the $4 million he made a year ago.

Bell, in his second full season as a Major League closer, was 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 67 games. That followed a 2009 season when he had 42 saves and made his first National League All-Star team.

Bell said he’s hoping to stay in San Diego beyond 2011.

“What I like about the whole deal is that they [Padres] wanted to do a one-year deal, take a breather and then possibly look at a multiyear deal later on,” Bell said on Tuesday. “I want to be here. I want to help build this organization and help turn it around like we did last year. It would be a huge honor to be part of it.”

Ludwick, who made $5.45 million a year ago, hit .211 in 59 games after he was acquired from the Cardinals as part of a three-team deal on July 31 that also included the Indians. Continued…

Ludwick hit six home runs and drove in 26 runs after the trade and has vowed that he will perform better in 2011. He’ll be counted on even more as a run producer this season now that Adrian Gonzalez has been traded to the Red Sox.

“I’m going to surprise some people,” Ludwick said last month. “I’m trying for a fresh start.”

Adams, considered one of the premier setup pitchers in the National League, had a 1.76 ERA in 70 games last season. Adams made $1 million last season in his first year of being eligible for arbitration.

Headley was an interesting case because he qualified for “Super 2” status after two-plus seasons in the Major Leagues, meaning he ranked among the highest 17 percent of players with fewer than the usual arbitration threshold of three years.

Headley had two years and 123 days of Major League service time, which means that he became eligible for free agency a year early — by one day. That means he likely went from making about $450,000 this upcoming season to the $2.325 figure he and the Padres settled on.

Earlier this month, the Padres avoided arbitration with shortstop Jason Bartlett when the sides agreed on a two-year deal.

 

By STAFF

Saratoga Catholic graduate Tim Stauffer is getting a raise, as the San Diego Padres avoided hearings with all five of their remaining arbitration-eligible players.

Pitchers Stauffer, Heath Bell and Mike Adams, third baseman Chase Headley and left fielder Ryan Ludwick are now all under contract for 2011.

“I was pretty happy to get all those guys done. I thought we might exchange on one guy. It was pretty smooth,” Padres general manager Jed Hoyer said.

Stauffer, who figures to be an important piece in the starting rotation, agreed to a deal worth $1.075 million, earning a big raise from his 2010 salary. He made $415,000 a year ago, when he was 6-5 with a 1.85 ERA between long relief and the rotation

Bell, who agreed to a deal worth $7.5 million, Ludwick ($6.775 million), Adams ($2.535 million) and Headley ($2.325 million) also earned raises from their 2010 salaries.

Bell, who had a career-high 47 saves last season, figured to be in for a big raise from the $4 million he made a year ago.

Bell, in his second full season as a Major League closer, was 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 67 games. That followed a 2009 season when he had 42 saves and made his first National League All-Star team.

Bell said he’s hoping to stay in San Diego beyond 2011.

“What I like about the whole deal is that they [Padres] wanted to do a one-year deal, take a breather and then possibly look at a multiyear deal later on,” Bell said on Tuesday. “I want to be here. I want to help build this organization and help turn it around like we did last year. It would be a huge honor to be part of it.”

Ludwick, who made $5.45 million a year ago, hit .211 in 59 games after he was acquired from the Cardinals as part of a three-team deal on July 31 that also included the Indians.

Ludwick hit six home runs and drove in 26 runs after the trade and has vowed that he will perform better in 2011. He’ll be counted on even more as a run producer this season now that Adrian Gonzalez has been traded to the Red Sox.

“I’m going to surprise some people,” Ludwick said last month. “I’m trying for a fresh start.”

Adams, considered one of the premier setup pitchers in the National League, had a 1.76 ERA in 70 games last season. Adams made $1 million last season in his first year of being eligible for arbitration.

Headley was an interesting case because he qualified for “Super 2” status after two-plus seasons in the Major Leagues, meaning he ranked among the highest 17 percent of players with fewer than the usual arbitration threshold of three years.

Headley had two years and 123 days of Major League service time, which means that he became eligible for free agency a year early — by one day. That means he likely went from making about $450,000 this upcoming season to the $2.325 figure he and the Padres settled on.

Earlier this month, the Padres avoided arbitration with shortstop Jason Bartlett when the sides agreed on a two-year deal.