Richard fires rare home shutout for Padres

Left-hander Clayton Richard on Wednesday pitched the second complete-game shutout ever by a San Diego Padre at Petco Park -- and the second in three weeks.

Richard allowed five hits, two walks and a hit batter while striking out five as the Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs 2-0 to complete a three-game sweep. He threw 110 pitches, with 71 going for strikes, and he got 11 groundball outs.

Edinson Volquez threw a one-hitter against the Houston Astros on July 19 for the Padres' first complete-game shutout at home since the downtown park opened in 2004.

"That was fun," Richard said his third career complete game and his second with the Padres. "Mentally, you go into every game thinking you want to pitch a complete game, but it doesn't usually happen. Going start to finish is what you want.

"(Catcher John) Baker led the way. He called a tremendous game. And there were some solid defensive plays behind me."

He was speaking most notably of Will Venable's throw home in the sixth inning and Chase Headley's grab of a liner in the eighth that was converted into a double play.

Richard is 8-6 with a 3.21 ERA over his last 17 starts.