Padres blast Bucs behind Pomeranz’s 10 K’s

SAN DIEGO — Padres starter Drew Pomeranz — who might be in the best form of his career right now — didn’t need much offensive support on Wednesday night. But the Friar hitters had some fun anyway, scoring eight times in the first four innings, en route to an 8-2 victory over the Pirates at Petco Park.

Pomeranz set a career high with 10 strikeouts and surrendered just four hits and an unearned run. Matt Kemp launched his fifth homer of the season — a moonshot that caromed off the fence at the back of the Padres’ bullpen. Derek Norris and Alexei Ramirez scored twice and added two hits apiece.

“It wasn’t only our offense; defensively tonight, it was probably the best we ever were,” Kemp said. “Pomeranz pitched an unbelievable game. It’s an all-around good team win.”

All eight runs were charged to Pirates starter Jeff Locke, who lasted only three-plus innings. He struggled from the outset, allowing 11 hits and four walks. Control has eluded Locke so far this season, as he allowed a career-high seven free passes his last time out.

“They’re scoring. That’s the most common theme to me,” Locke said. “You’re putting guys on with free passes, they’re coming in to score. … You’ve just got to be better than that.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Seeing-eye rally: The Padres plated four runs in the second inning, the final three of which scored on singles that proved too tricky for Pirates infielders. Jemile Weeks’ first at-bat of the season turned into a base hit that sneaked under the glove of third baseman David Freese. Jon Jay and Wil Myers would later record RBI infield hits in the frame.

“The best part of the game today, in my opinion, was that we battled and put balls in play, when before we were probably striking out in those at-bats,” said Padres manager Andy …

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