Padres pitcher Brandon Maurer tossed two perfect innings in Saturday's game against the Rockies, providing some much needed rest for a tired bullpen, according to MLB.com.
With many arms in the bullpen hurting, Maurer came through, needing 23 pitches over two innings to set things up for closer Craig Kimbrel.
"The way our bullpen is, we're sort of running out of options if we want to keep guys fresh for tomorrow and moving forward," Padres manager Bud Black said after Saturday's game. "… I thought Brandon could go another inning. He had two days off. I liked the way he was throwing."
Maurer has a 1-0 record with a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings of work so far this season.
"For him to go back another inning, physically it's not taxing, but mentally he's got to be on board. We very quickly told him he was going back at it. He threw the ball very well. Fastball, slider and change were very effective," Black said. "I didn't think they had good swings on him.