Tollberg makes most of ‘big’ shot

Bob Baum

Wednesday, June 21, 2000 | 10:07 a.m.

PHOENIX -- After a 6 1/2-year trek to the big time, former Stars pitcher Brian Tollberg made the most of it when he finally got his chance.

The 27-year-old right-hander threw a one-hitter for seven innings Tuesday night as the San Diego Padres finally won at Bank One Ballpark, 3-1 over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

His big-league debut came after 102 career minor-league starts, and two days after he was called up to the majors from triple-A Las Vegas.

"I think it's sweeter that way," Tollberg said. "I've (taken) the scenic route and I wouldn't change it for the world. It kind of gave me the work ethic I have now."

Ryan Klesko hit two home runs off Todd Stottlemyre for the only offense Tollberg needed. It was a satisfying win after San Diego's ugly 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks, when Brandon Kolb walked in the winning run in the ninth.

"That's huge for us," manager Bruce Bochy said of Tollberg's performance. "Last night was a tough loss. Today he picked us up going against Stottlemyre, who I thought pitched very well. He beat us twice before but I thought his stuff tonight was even better."

Going into the game, San Diego was 0-4 this season in Arizona and 1-10 over the past two years.

Tollberg is the 10th starter this season for the injury-plagued Padres.

The only hit he allowed was Steve Finley's two-out single in the fourth inning. Arizona's lone run was unearned. Tollberg walked three and struck out seven.

Trevor Hoffman pitched a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 19 opportunities, and fourth in five days.

Klesko's two homers and Arizona's weak offense spoiled a strong outing by Stottlemyre (8-5).

"He's the one guy in their lineup you would think I was not going to want to let beat me," Stottlemyre said. "I just didn't throw enough quality pitches."

Klesko has hit safely in 10 of 11 games.

"I hit a couple of mistakes," he said. "He was making good pitches on me, but the ones he didn't make I hit out."

Stottlemyre has lost his last three starts. The Diamondbacks were shut out in the first two of those losses, then scored one run Tuesday.

In 7 2/3 innings, Stottlemyre allowed two earned runs on six hits. He struck out 10, his first double-digit strikeout game in his two seasons with Arizona and 17th of his career, and didn't walk a batter.

Klesko, in his first multiple-homer game with San Diego and 10th of his career, put San Diego up 1-0 with a 414-foot shot over the swimming pool beyond the right-field fence in the fourth inning.

The Padres made it 2-0 with an unearned run in the fifth. Bret Boone led off with a single, and attempted to steal second. Catcher Kelly Stinnett's throw went into center field for an error, allowing Boone to advance to third.

Ruben Rivera lofted a sacrifice fly to Travis Lee in right. Lee fired the ball to Stinnett as Boone attempted to score. Boone crashed into the Arizona catcher, and Stinnett dropped the ball.

The Diamondbacks scored their lone run without a hit in the fifth. Lee led off with a walk and moved to second on Stottlemyre's one-out sacrifice bunt.

Tony Womack hit a sharp grounder to second baseman Boone, who couldn't handle it, then threw wildly to home as Lee scored from second.

Klesko's 13th home run of the season on an 0-2 pitch with two outs in the fifth put San Diego ahead 3-1.