Pittsburgh, PA – Andrew Cashner carried a perfect game into the seventh inning en route to his first career shutout as the San Diego Padres blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-0, in the opener of a four-game set at PNC Park.
Cashner (10-8) had his bid come to an end on Jose Tabata's leadoff single in the seventh. It was the only baserunner the right-hander allowed. Cashner struck out seven.
"I've had some no-hitters broken up before. I think in previous times I've learned to just stay with my gameplan and keep making pitches," said Cashner, who faced the minimum thanks to Andrew McCutchen's inning-ending double-play in the seventh.
Will Venable and Jedd Gyorko drove in one run apiece for the Padres, winners in three of their last four games.
A.J. Burnett (8-11) allowed both runs on six hits while striking out eight over 6 2/3 innings to absorb the loss.
"That's a big-league lineup. It is just baseball. Struggles or not, they have a big-league lineup. Take nothing for granted," said Burnett.
Despite the setback, the Pirates remain tied with St. Louis Cardinals for the top spot in the NL Central.
The Cardinals fell to the Colorado Rockies, 6-2, on Monday.
The Padres pushed both runs across in the seventh inning. With runners on the corners and one out, Venable lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Ronny Cedeno. After Alexi Amarista was hit by a pitch, Gyorko singled home Cashner, who slid across the plate just ahead of Tabata's throw.
Game Notes
The Padres are the only team in the majors without a no-hitter ... It was also Cashner's first complete game ... The Padres were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position ... Marlon Byrd had his seven-game hitting streak snapped.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.