Another gem by Padres’ Germano

Justin Germano is complicating San Diego’s rotation and that’s a good thing for the Padres.

Germano, promoted from triple-A Portland on May 8 to replace injured Clay Hensley (strained groin), held Seattle to an unearned run and six hits in six innings and the Padres beat the Mariners, 2-1, on Sunday. Germano (2-0) has given up one run and 12 hits in 19 innings for a 0.47 earned-run average.

“I’ve said over the past couple weeks that Germano is pitching in the big leagues where he left off in triple A,” Padres Manager Bud Black said. Germano was 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts for Portland.

“He has the ability to throw strikes,” Black added. “He’s locating. He’s changing speeds to affect the hitters’ timing. Then you add the movement on his fastball and that equates to success.”

Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, who got his 11th save despite a shaky ninth inning, said of Germano: “Justin has had three quality starts. He has worked his way into this rotation. I know they’re going to have some difficult decisions to make. Clay did a nice job prior to his injury. It’s a good problem to have.”

Germano outpitched Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (2-2), who was making his second start after spending nearly a month on the disabled list with a strained right elbow.

Hernandez worked five innings, giving up eight hits and two runs. He walked three and struck out nine.

“The first inning he was fine, after that he struggled with his command and got some balls up,” Mariners Manager Mike Hargrove said.

Germano was traded by the Padres in 2005 and traded again in 2006. He was released by Philadelphia during spring training. The Padres picked him up on March 19.