Storm's Lauer shines in pitchers' duel

In his first start of the season, Eric Lauer was roughed up for four runs in 3 2/3 innings. Since then, the Padres' No. 8 prospect has stuck with a game plan, and it's working.
"I can't try to be too cute with my pitches," he said.

Lauer gave up two hits and struck out seven over seven scoreless frames Friday before Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore dropped a 1-0, 10-inning decision at Modesto. 
The right-hander started the night by retiring the first eight batters. He was faced with his first real test in the third when he allowed a two-out single to Eric Filia and walked Braden Bishop. But Lauer got back to the dugout unscathed by striking out Jordan Cowan.
Box score
"I got into a rhythm early," Lauer said. "Everything felt good, my motion was good and everything was coming out clean. There weren't any bumps in my delivery, so I got into a groove quick because everything was coming out smoothly."
Following a hit batter and a walk, Modesto had two men on with two outs in the fifth, but Lauer again made a big pitch and retired Bishop on a fly ball to right field. 
The 2016 first-round pick hit a batter and issued his third free pass in the sixth, then retired the final five Nuts he faced to complete seven innings for the second consecutive start. 
"When that happened, I had to bear down a little bit and relax to make sure I made the next pitch," said Lauer, a Kent State product. "It takes more focus in those situations to make sure they hit your pitch."
As good as Lauer was, Modesto starter Reggie McClain matched him zero for zero for seven innings. In lowering his ERA to 2.21, McClain tied his career high with 10 strikeouts and yielded four hits. 
"I think it helps when the other pitcher is going well," Lauer said. "You want to beat the other guy. To some extent, you need to put the blinders on, but everyone's competitive and wants to win, so it becomes a duel at that point."
Drafted 25th overall last year, the Ohio native made 10 starts between the Rookie-level Arizona League, Class A Short Season Tri-City and Class A Fort Wayne. The Padres were so encouraged by the 21-year-old's progress that they assigned him to Lake Elsinore to begin the year.
The hitter-friendly environs of the California League haven't seemed to faze Lauer, who's pitched to a 2.22 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 28 1/3 innings. 
"It's nothing that I wasn't prepared for," said Lauer, who's averaging 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. "The hitters are a lot more disciplined and force you to fill up the strike zone. Other than that, it's still the same game and the odds are still in your favor so you need to just make your pitches."

Cowan sent the Nuts fans home happy with a walk-off single to center off José Castillo (1-2).
Spencer Herrmann (1-1) allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless 10th to get the win.