Stephen Kolek, who performed well as a starting pitcher in Spring Training, began the year in El Paso as a member of the San Diego Padres Triple-A affiliate. Kolek, like Michael King the year before, was transitioning to a starting role from the bullpen and finally got the call up to make his first MLB start against the Pittsburgh Pirates en route to a 4-0 win at PNC Park, Sunday.
Kolek recorded a strikeout of Oneil Cruz to start the game and retired each of the next two batters on a groundout and fly out to complete the bottom of the first.