Aug. 18, 2008

Chad Reineke, a former starting pitcher for the Miami University baseball team, made his major league debut for the San Diego Padres in Petco Park, Saturday night (Aug. 16) against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Reineke went five innings, striking out five, walking three and giving up three earned runs in a performance that earned him his first career win. The night was full of firsts for Reineke, who was a letterwinner in Oxford from 2001-04. Reineke not only made his first major league start and earned his first major league win but also recorded his first hit and earned his first RBI. Reineke gave up two runs in the first inning but settled down to go five innings, throwing 102 pitches.

"It was kind of strange," Reineke told MLB.com. "The first hitter of the game, and, you know, I have some anxiety and some nerves, but I think I got him out on two pitches. And after that batter, I was feeling a little better, but for some reason, I started to miss the zone a little bit more. It became a struggle and I really had to battle. But I think, mostly, I was just trying a little too hard."

At the plate, Reineke went 1-for-2, recording an RBI and run scored. Reineke's hit in the bottom of the fourth sparked a five-run inning by the Padres, leading to the 8-3 victory.

Reineke was called up from AAA Portland of the Pacific Coast League on Aug. 16 and is scheduled to make his second start on Friday, Aug. 22 against the San Francisco Giants. The game is scheduled to start at 10:15 p.m. EST.