Saratoga’s Tim Stauffer, Padres Shutout Dodgers

Tim Stauffer has been one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball over the past month.

On Wednesday night, the Saratoga native shutout the Dodgers as the San Diego Padres avoided a three-game sweep with a 3-0 win.

Stauffer gave up six hits, walked one and struck out two.  He's now 7-8 on the season with a 2.96 ERA - tied for 8th best in the National League.  

His ERA in night games is 2.25 which is the third-best mark in the NL. 

"I felt good," Stauffer told the Associated Press. "I was able to command really all of my pitches tonight. I got ahead early, and forced them to put the ball in play early and hit some balls hard but hit them at my guys, who made some plays when they needed to."

Since July 4th, the Spa Catholic graduate has been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball. 

During that time, he's got a 1.97 ERA and has allowed opponents a .227 batting average while striking out 49 with just 20 walks. Stauffer hasn't allowed a run in four of those starts while working at least six innings in all 11 games. Due largely to a lack of offensive support, Stauffer is 6-4 over the 11 games. 

Stauffer is also 4-1 with a 1.28 ERA in his last six starts at Petco Park.