Vásquez's solid spot start lifts Padres' injury riddled rotation

KANSAS CITY -- With two starting pitchers landing on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, the Padres need a big boost in terms of organizational pitching depth. Right-hander Randy Vásquez came to the rescue in the middle game of the Kansas City series and showed that he may be able to help significantly in that department.

Called up from Triple-A El Paso on short notice, Vásquez delivered five strong innings in San Diego’s 7-3 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Vásquez allowed just four hits and three runs and turned the game over to the bullpen with a two-run lead. San Diego’s relievers took it from there and gave the Padres a shot at a three-game road sweep if they can take the series finale on Sunday.

San Diego’s offense was fueled by shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who tripled and scored in the third and then added a three-run double to put the Padres up by two in the fourth. It was the 15th three-RBI game of Kim’s career.

Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, Wandy Peralta and Robert Suarez combined for four scoreless innings out of the ‘pen to seal the series win and put San Diego three games over .500 for the first time this season.

“That was a team win for sure, with contributions from a lot of people,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “It typically starts on the mound and our man Randy was solid through five. He gave up a couple of runs early but was able to right the ship.”

Vásquez arrived in Kansas City late Friday night, but said he was able to get a good night’s rest. He handled the Royals’ lineup well, except for No. 3 hitter Vinnie Pasquantino, who had a two-run homer and an RBI single. But Vásquez has been gaining confidence that his stuff will play well as a Major League starter since delivering a quality start (six innings, three runs) against Atlanta on May 20 when he was filling in for Joe Musgrove.

“I do feel a lot more comfortable with my pitches,” Vásquez said through a translator. “It’s a little bittersweet because you never want anybody to get hurt. But I’m happy to have the opportunity to help this team.”

Once Vásquez left the game, Shildt was able to mix and match with a highly effective bullpen. The key matchup came in the seventh when Estrada faced Pasquantino with the bases loaded, two outs and San Diego up by two.

With a four-seam fastball that registered 99.1 mph, Estrada was able to get Pasquantino swinging in a power versus power matchup.

“That was a battle of titans, right?” Shildt said “Pasquantino swung the bat well today. He put up a couple of good swings and then [Estrada] was able to elevate and get him out. He left the traffic out there.”

Right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who went 3-for-4 at the plate Saturday with a homer to right-center, was happy to see Kim flourish. Kim entered with a .216 batting average, but had one of the biggest hits of the game.

“He has been having a rough time [average-wise], but [he is] hitting the ball hard,” Tatis said. “It’s a beautiful thing to see him come through.”

For Kim, the fact that the calendar has rolled around to June leaves him excited.

“It’s true that I haven’t had the greatest start,” Kim said through a translator. “But I feel myself getting better, and this is just the beginning of the summer.”

On a day when the Padres had a lot of things go well, the emergence of Vásquez was perhaps the most encouraging development. With two starters down, San Diego may rely more on the righty in June.

“[Vásquez] gave us five innings with just three runs,” Tatis said. “With the way this offense is performing right now, that’s enough for us.”