SAN DIEGO -- The Padres' relief corps was toast entering play Sunday afternoon. So Clayton Richard did his best to make sure his bullpen had a much-needed day off.
Richard worked eight innings of two-run ball, matching a career high with 10 strikeouts and setting the Padres on course for a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals.
The timing couldn't have been any better. On Friday night, rookie left-hander Eric Lauer failed to make it through the third inning. Then, on Saturday, the 'pen was forced to eat seven frames in the Padres' 13-inning victory.