Vince Velasquez strikes out 16 as Phillies shut out Padres

Philadelphia Phillies' Vince Velasquez pitches during the first inning against the San Diego Padres. (Matt Slocum/AP)

PHILADELPHIA — Vince Velasquez struck out a career-high 16 in a dominant three-hitter, Ryan Howard homered and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 3-0 Thursday.

Velasquez (2-0) had no walks and extended his scoreless streak to 15 innings with his first shutout in nine career starts. The 23-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent former closer Ken Giles to Houston, had nine strikeouts in six innings in a 1-0 win at the New York Mets last Saturday.

The Padres were shut out for the fifth time in 10 games. They scored one run — with two outs in the ninth on Wednesday — in the last three games.

Lefty Drew Pomeranz (1-1) tied his career best with eight strikeouts in six innings, allowing three hits and two runs.

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