SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joe Musgrove took over the major league earned run average lead and remained unbeaten in 11 starts, striking out eight over six innings to lead the San Diego Padres over the Colorado Rockies 9-0 on Friday night.
Musgrove (7-0) allowed four hits and two walks, dropping his ERA to 1.50 and taking over the lead from the Texas Rangers’ Martín Pérez (1.56). Musgrove has allowed one run in his last 27 innings.
“We talked about using the fastball more. Obviously I went out there and still threw breaking balls. I relied on the fastball more as the game went on,” Musgrove said. “I feel like I am playing a different game than I ever have before, mentally more than anything.”
San Diego is 10-1 when Musgrove starts, and his streak of 11 starts with six or more innings is the longest in team history
“Joe Musgrove is probably the guy that you don’t want to face,” Padres manager Bob Melvin said.
Colorado put runners on second and third in the fourth inning before Musgrove retired Randal Grichuk on a groundout.
Craig Stammen, Tim Hill and Steven Wilson finished a five-hitter. San Diego’s eight shutouts tied the New York Yankees for second in the major leagues, one behind the New York Mets.
“Our offense is playing up a little bit knowing when I’m out there we only need a couple of runs and I am able to hold the game within reach,” Musgrove said. “They have done a really good job of getting me runs early in the game, letting me open up the arsenal.”
Manny Machado hit his 10th homer on the ninth pitch of an at-bat against Chad Kuhl (4-3), Jake Cronenworth had a two-run double and Nomar Mazara had three hits as San Diego won for the sixth time in seven games.
“My swing is probably the most consistent that it has been in…
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