SAN DIEGO -- Nick Pivetta continues to have his eye-popping moments.
He struck out eight of the first nine batters he faced in Wednesday afternoon's 3-0 loss to the Padres at Petco Park. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin thought Pivetta could have a Kerry Wood-type day, referring to Wood's memorable 20-strikeout shutout in 1998. Padres pitcher Clayton Richard asked Cameron Rupp in the bottom of the third inning if Pivetta really had struck out everybody he had faced.
Pivetta was that good through three innings.
"He got to two strikes and kill shot -- immediately," Rupp said.