In his first start since 2020, Mike Clevinger struck out four batters. (0:33)
As long as he could, Mike Clevinger held it together.
After finally getting back on a major league mound following elbow surgery, a lockout, knee injury and a rainout that had delayed his return for San Diego, Clevinger couldn't control his emotions.
Clevinger said that he wasn't sure if he was going to pitch again.
In the first game of the day's twin bill, the Padres beat the Cleveland Guardians in the first game, as starter Mike Clevinger had an impressive first start since having Tommy John surgery in 2020.
In the second game of the double-A game, Steven Kwan's single in the 10th gave the Guardians a 5-5 win.
In the opener, Austin Nola hit a go-ahead double in the sixth as the Padres won for the sixth time in seven games.
Steven Wilson got the win despite walking two in the fifth, and Taylor Rogers pitched the ninth for his 10th save.
It was a happy return for Clevinger, who had surgery after pitching in the first game of the NLCS two years ago, just months after being traded from Cleveland to San Diego. The right-handed pitcher allowed three runs and four hits while facing his former team and one of his closest friends.
Clevinger was just an out away from potentially getting a win before being pulled by manager Bob Melvin.
The win would have been a bonus, but that didn't matter to Clevinger, who was thankful for the chance to compete again.
It has been a long road, and I can't thank the people behind me enough, said Clevinger, standing in the hallway between games.
The man who spent four-plus seasons with Cleveland before being traded in 2020 was leading 3-1 when he walked Straw. He put on Ram with two down and was replaced by Wilson, who gave up a walk and a two-run single.
Melvin was lobbied to let him finish.
I really appreciate Bob giving me a chance to go out and get it, and I was lobbying for it hard, and I am glad he allowed me to go after Josey that last time. I knew I would not allow him to beat me.
I was going to try to make him swing outside the zone, and I wasn't going to let him tie the game up there, so I did what I had to do to him.
Terry Francona was not surprised by the outing.
Francona said he thought they made him work. They had someone up early and we had him on the hook. We were unable to cash in. His stuff is pretty good. We expected that.
Information from The Associated Press was used.
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