Tucson's Andriese makes it look easy

Matt Andriese's second Pacific Coast League start was one to remember.

The Padres' No. 20 prospect gave up one hit -- a two-out double in the sixth -- and departed after striking out eight batters over seven innings Wednesday night as Triple-A Tucson blanked Sacramento, 2-0.

Andriese (1-0) had retired 13 consecutive batters before big league veteran Daric Barton broke up the no-hit bid with a double in the sixth. He ended up walking two batters and hitting another, throwing 52 of 87 pitches for strikes en route to his first Triple-A win.

"I was just throwing all four of my pitches for strikes," said Andriese, who throws a sinker, cutter, curveball and changeup. "I was trying to get ahead of hitters and work down in the zone. I was getting ahead with the changeup and I was putting them away with fastballs inside and using good location."

Tommy Layne followed the 23-year-old right-hander and recorded one out in the eighth before issuing back-to-back walks. Brad Boxberger struck out Grant Green and walked Barton to load the bases before retiring A's No. 2 prospect Michael Choice on a popout. Miles Mikolas tossed a perfect ninth for his 18th save, wrapping up the first one-hitter in Padres history.

"It was a good experience," Andriese said. "It's great to be a part of it and I'm glad for the team."

A 2011 third-round Draft pick, Andriese was 8-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 15 starts for Double-A San Antonio, where he limited opponents to a .243 average. He had good news waiting for him when he returned from last month's Texas League All-Star Game.

"I had just gotten back ... and the Double-A manager [Rich Dauer] said, 'Hey, there's no need to unpack your bags, you're going to Triple-A,' Andriese recalled. "I was just really excited to move up the ladder, to get a chance to play at a higher level and to keep on going with my dream."

In his Triple-A debut on June 28, the Cal-Riverside product gave up two runs on eight hits over five innings against Colorado Springs. He's got a 1.50 ERA over 12 innings in the PCL, where he's already noticed a few differences.

"I think hitters are more patient here," Andriese said. "It's just a faster paced game, they're all big league-type hitters. I'm trying to do the same thing I've been doing all year -- I just try to get ahead in the count and let my sinker work."

Jaff Decker gave Andriese the only run he needed with an RBI single in the second. Chris Robinson singled and scored an insurance run on a wild pitch in the eighth.

River Cats starter Arnold Leon (0-1) took the loss in his Triple-A debut, striking nine while giving up a run on six hits over seven innings.