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Erlin combines on AZL no-hitter

Padres prospect continues rehab, pitches three innings
August 7, 2012
The last three months have not gone as planned for Robbie Erlin.

The Padres' No. 6 prospect had a 2.67 ERA in seven starts for Double-A San Antonio before elbow problems landed him on the disabled list in May.

Erlin got a big boost on his road to recovery Tuesday night, combining with Bryan Rodriguez and Uber Paz to toss an Arizona League no-hitter as the Padres beat the Giants, 3-1.

In his second start with the Padres' Rookie-level affiliate, Erlin issued two walks and gave up an unearned run while striking out two over three innings. The 2009 third-round Draft pick has felt no discomfort in his elbow during his stint in the Arizona League after sitting out all of June and July.

"[My rehab] is coming along really well," Erlin said. "I haven't felt any pain yet in my rehab starts. I feel stronger every time out, now it's just about building up innings to strengthen my arm before I go back to making starts for San Antonio."

While Erlin eagerly awaits a return to the Texas League, he said a no-hitter at any level is a special occurrence.

"I'm happy for the other guys who threw tonight," he said. "That doesn't happen too often and it's really exciting to be a part of one."

San Diego acquired the 21-year-old southpaw from Texas last July as part of the deal that sent reliever Mike Adams to the Rangers. Erlin ended up going 9-4 with a 2.99 ERA across two levels last season.

Rodriguez (3-0), a 21-year-old right-hander, walked one batter and struck out four over three frames. Paz, who had brief stints with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and short-season Eugene earlier this year, walked one and fanned two en route to his first professional save.

Henry Charles led the Padres offensively, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Giants scored their lone run in the second as Christian Diaz followed a pair of walks and a passed ball with an RBI groundout.

Zack Cox is a contributor to MLB.com