Erik Bedard continued the trend of superb starting pitching for the Mariners in Friday night's game against the San Diego Padres. The left hander only allowed three hits and struck out nine Padres, leading the Mariners to a 4-1 victory.
Perhaps, more impressively, Bedard was efficient and pitched eight innings, only throwing 92 pitches in the effort. This was the first time Bedard has pitched eight innings since April of 2009.
The bottom of the Mariners lineup came up big against Padres starter Mat Latos. In the top of the second inning, Carlos Peguero tripled into right center field to drive in Adam Kennedy from first. Brendan Ryan than hit a ground ball through the right side of the infield to drive in Peguero. Ryan later hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth inning to extend the Mariners lead to 3-0.
The Mariners got one last run on the board after Miguel Olivo hit a bomb into the left field bleachers at Petco Park in the top of the sixth inning.