Richard 'outstanding' in bounceback effort

Clayton Richard strikes out four in seven strong innings against the Rangers, allowing only one run on five hits and one walkARLINGTON -- Left-hander Clayton Richard did exactly what Padres manager Andy Green hoped he would do Thursday when he was given an opportunity to pitch against a Rangers club that has been one of baseball's worst against lefties.

Because of the potentially favorable platoon splits, and because a rainout last weekend gave him some flexibility with the rotation, Green moved Richard up a day to face the Rangers instead of the White Sox on Friday as originally scheduled. Everything went according to, or perhaps even better than, the plan -- except what happened after…