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Thursday, Apr. 27 1:35pm ET
Clement homecoming is happy as Padres romp | |||||
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GAME LOG
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Matt Clement sent his rooting section home happy. Clement, who grew up about 30 miles from Pittsburgh, won his seventh straight decision, and Damian Jackson drove in a career-high four runs as the San Diego Padres beat the Pirates 12-4 Thursday. Clement, from nearby Butler, Pa., said he left between 60 to 70 passes for family and friends and said he saw a lot more acquaintances who paid their way to see his first appearance at Three Rivers Stadium. "It's awesome to have that support," Clement said. "I help out some kids in the offseason with lessons and I think all of them were here today. I couldn't really say hi to anybody because I was trying to stay focused on the game but the support I got here was just great." Clement missed pitching against the Pirates on their only trip to Pittsburgh last season. He wasn't originally scheduled to pitch at Three Rivers Stadium this time either but an adjustment in the rotation put him in the last game of the series. Clement's family went to Philadelphia to watch him pitch last year and he gave up seven runs in less than five innings in a 15-1 loss. "It's a little bit nerve-wracking, seeing everybody and having them yell at you when you're going down to warm up," Clement said. Clement (3-0) allowed three hits and struck out five in six innings. He also tripled, helping him stay unbeaten since last Aug. 25. John Vander Wal, traded from San Diego to Pittsburgh during spring training, hit his first career grand slam in the Pirates fifth. "I was around him for a full year and I know what kind of a hitter he is," Clement said. "I have a lot of respect for him. He did what he's supposed to do. John Vander Wal is a great hitter. People are going to find that out here real quick." The Padres broke it open with a six-run ninth against Jose Silva, highlighted by Ryan Klesko's three-run homer. Kory DeHaan, who got his first two major league hits, had a two-run single and Jackson picked up his fourth RBI. Only one run was earned because of third baseman Aramis Ramirez's error. The Padres scored five runs on seven hits in the first two innings against Jose Parra (0-1). "Parra was just up with his pitches and he paid for it," Pirates manager Gene Lamont said." Al Martin, traded to the Padres in the deal for Vander Wal, opened the game with a single and Jackson hit his second homer of the season. Eric Owens and Bret Boone singled and both scored on Carlos Hernandez's double. Clement led off the second inning with a triple and scored on Jackson's single. Vander Wal's slam came in the fifth after Keith Osik singled, Brad Clontz was hit by a pitch and Warren Morris walked. "It's definitely a thrill and something to remember but you'd rather have it happen in a win," Vander Wal said. It was Vander Wal's third homer of the season and the Pirates' second grand slam in as many games. Pat Meares hit the first of his career in Wednesday's 9-8 win over San Diego. Game notesTony Gwynn was out of the starting lineup, a concession to his sore left knee and a day game after a night game on artificial turf. His replacement, DeHaan, got his first major league hit with a double in the third. ... The Padres were 28-25 in one-run games last season. They're 2-8 in that department this season. ... The last time the Pirates had grand slams in consecutive games was Sept. 15-16, 1983. Richie Hebner hit one off Lee Smith of the Chicago Cubs and Marvell Wynne hit the second off the Montreal's Jeff Reardon. They had a game with two grand slams (Orlando Merced and Jay Bell) at St. Louis on April 16, 1996. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard San Diego Clubhouse Pittsburgh Clubhouse RECAPS Chi. White Sox 13 Baltimore 4
San Diego 12
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