--RHP Brian Falkenborg, who was with the Padres briefly in 2005, was claimed off waivers by San Diego from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Falkenborg, 30, was 2-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 11 2/3 innings (16 appearances) with the Dodgers since being promoted from Class AAA Las Vegas on June 25. He was 1-1 with 13 saves and a 3.60 ERA in 32 appearances with the Pacific Coast League team. Falkenborg has spent parts of the last six seasons in the major leagues -- including a 10-game stint with the Padres (8.18 ERA) in '05.
--C Adam Zornes, the Padres' seventh-round draft pick out of Rice University, has signed. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder was a junior, and he hit .301 on a team that advanced to the College World Series. --SS Sean Kazmar wasted no time in getting his first major league hit Wednesday night, even if the pitcher was Brewers LHP CC Sabathia. The 24-year-old lined the first pitch he saw as a Padre into left field for a single off Sabathia. "I was pretty much sleeping on the idea last night of swinging at the first pitch when guys were telling me swing at the first pitch fastball," he said. Kazmar was hitting .264 for Class AA San Antonio before being promoted to the Padres on Tuesday.
--LHP Justin Hampson hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 10 outings (11 1/3 innings).
--RHP Josh Banks' ERA has shot up to 6.51 since the All-Star break as he gave up the most runs (seven) and walks (six) of his career in his shortest start (4 1/3 innings).
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- National League-leading four-hit games by RF Brian Giles, through Aug. 10.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Waivers are supposed to be secret. Waivers are asked on a lot of players and it never becomes public. I don't know who leaked it, it's part of business. But I'm not happy the way it was handled." -- Padres RF Brian Giles, who was upset the Red Sox waiver claim on him became public. He used a clause in his contract to veto any trade to Boston.
