TURN BACK THE CLOCK - MAY 2nd, 1978 by Jason Martinez sdpadrefan.com posted 5/02/08 The only teams in Padre history to recover from poor starts are the '06 Padres and the 1978 team, who recovered from an 11-17 start to put together the first winning season in franchise history, with an 84-78 record. Like the 2008 version, the '78 Padres were led by a very strong pitching staff that included that season's Cy Young award winner Gaylord Perry (21-6, 2.73) and 1976 winner Randy Jones (13-14, 2.88). The bullpen was also strong with future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers (37 saves, 2.52), Mark Lee (5-1, 3.28), and John D'Acquisto (4-3, 2.13) pitching in many close games that season. The offense scored just 3.65 runs per game, last in the NL, although all-star Dave Winfield (.308-24-97) and Gene Richards (.308, 12 triples, 37 SB) had stellar seasons and veteran catcher Gene Tenace contributed with 16 homers and 101 walks. Rookie shortstop Ozzie Smith batted .258 with 40 stolen bases and was second in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Atlanta Braves third baseman Bob Horner. May 2, 1978. On this date, 30 years ago, the Padres were 2-1 winners over the Pittsburh Pirates as 23 year-old lefty Bob Owchinko outdueled lefty John Candelaria, who was coming off an unbelievable 20-5 season. After giving up a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 1st to "the Cobra", Dave Parker, Owchinko settled down and did not allow another run in a complete game victory. Second baseman Mike Champion knocked in center fielder Derrel Thomas on an RBI single to tie the game in the second after Thomas had doubled with one out. In the top of the 6th, Thomas ignited the offense once more, with a leadoff infield single. After Champion reached on an error, Thomas scored the deciding run on a double play grounder by catcher Bob Davis. The 1978 team was never really in contention that season, although they did get as close as 7.0 games back on August 21st. On July 3rd, they got back to the .500 mark at 40-40. By July 6th, they were back under .500, where they stayed until a 10-game winning streak from July 25th thru August 4th put them back on the winning side of .500 for good.