DON’T EXPECT NO-HITTERS ON THIS DAY

For a franchise still looking for its first no-hitter, this date — Sept. 13 — was particularly troublesome in both 1971 and 1976.

First, Clay Kirby allowed a one-out double to John Edwards in the eighth inning of a 3-2 loss in Houston. Five years later, it was Tom Griffin allowing an eighth-inning leadoff single to Ken Reitz in a 3-2 loss in 10 innings to the visiting Giants.

For Kirby, it was the second time he’d taken a nohitter into the eighth inning. The first time was in July 1970 when he was lifted for a pinch-hitter after eight no-hit innings. He did so again in his next start on Sept. 18 in 1971 (Willie Mccovey homered leading off the eighth), so Padres manger Preston Gomez wasn’t entirely off-base with his comments on this date.

“He’s come close, twice now,” Gomez told the San Diego Union, “but he’ll get a no-hitter or two before he’s through.”

Of course, he didn’t. No Padres pitcher has. Kirby ultimately was the losing pitcher in his Sept. 13 start in 1971, allowing three runs — two earned — on three hits and three walks in a complete game (82⁄3 innings). He won a careerhigh 15 games in 1971 and posted a 2.83 ERA, the lowest of his career.

As for Griffin, he allowed two unearned runs in that eighth (thanks to two errors by shortstop Hector Torres) and finished with a no-decision.

Griffin went 4-3 with a 2.94 ERA over 11 starts (701⁄3 innings) that year after being claimed on waivers Aug. 3 from Houston.

Also on this date

1982: The Padres tied a franchise record for players used by both teams in a game with 50 in a 4-3 loss in 16 innings at Dodger Stadium. Twenty-two of the players appeared for the Padres.

1991: C Benito Santiago went 5-for-5 (with five RBIS) for the first time in his career in a 13-2 win at San Francisco. The 26year-old Santiago hit .267/ .296/.403 with 17 homers and 87 RBIS in his third Allstar campaign.

jeff.sanders@sduniontribune.com