Article: Once a castoff, Tomko rebounds with Padres, Two victories in the last week have put San Diego back in NL West race

SAN DIEGO - Less than a month ago, Brett Tomko was unemployed and working out at a suburban high school, trying to fix his faulty mechanics while hoping someone would sign him.

The San Diego Padres are glad they took a chance on the once- ineffective right-hander, since his two wins in the last week have helped them get right back in the NL West race.

Tomko, a castoff from the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, pitched six solid innings and rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff delivered two more hits to lead the Padres to their season-high seventh straight win, 6-3 over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

The Padres pulled within a half-game of first-place Arizona, which was idle. They remained 21/2 games ahead ...

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