Stults' 2-hitter carries Padres over Diamondbacks

[June 15, 2013]  SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Left-hander Eric Stults threw a career-best two-hitter and Logan Forsythe hit a bases-loaded, two-run single with two outs in the sixth to give the San Diego Padres a 2-1 victory against the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Arizona's Gerardo Parra doubled opening the game and scored on Cody Ross' sacrifice fly. Stults didn't give up another hit until Willie Bloomquist singled with one out in the ninth.

Stults (6-5) retired 16 of the last 17 batters for his third career complete game. He struck out three and walked one. He previously had thrown two four-hitters.

The fourth-place Padres pulled within four games of the Diamondbacks. San Diego has won four straight and seven of nine.

Bench coach Alan Trammell managed the Diamondbacks while Kirk Gibson served his one-game suspension stemming from Tuesday night's brawl against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trevor Cahill (3-8) tied his career high with 10 strikeouts but got into trouble in the sixth. The Padres loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth when Alexi Amarista walked, Chase Headley was hit by a pitch and Carlos Quentin beat out an infield single to third base. Cahill struck out Kyle Blanks and Will Venable before Forsythe singled to left-center, bringing in Amarista and Headley. Forsythe took second on a throwing error by A.J. Pollock.

Cahill intentionally walked Yasmani Grandal and made way for Will Harris, who struck out Stults to end the inning.

Cahill allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings and walked three.

NOTES: Gibson watched the game from a skybox with general manager Kevin Towers. ... Cahill set his career high with 10 strikeouts on June 26, 2010, against Pittsburgh. ... Before the game, the Padres honored their 1998 team, which won the second NL pennant in team history before being swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series. Lefty Sterling Hitchcock, the MVP of the NLCS victory against Atlanta, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to catcher Carlos Hernandez. Anisha Gwynn Jones, daughter of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, sang the national anthem. ... Towers was GM of the Padres in 1998. ... Arizona RHP Ian Kennedy was suspended 10 games and infielder Eric Hinske five for their roles in Tuesday's fight at L.A. Both are appealing. ... The Padres made several moves before the game. ... They acquired INF Pedro Ciriaco from Boston for a player to be named or cash, reinstated closer Huston Street from the 15-day disabled list and optioned left-hander Tommy Layne and outfielder Jaff Decker to Triple-A Tucson. ... Ciriaco was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Monday.

[Associated Press; By BERNIE WILSON]

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