Padres’ Stairs sets record for most pinch-hit homers

MILWAUKEE — Matt Stairs has hit his 21st homer as a pinch-hitter, the most in big league history.

Stairs connected on a two-run shot in the eighth inning of the San Diego Padres’ 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night, passing Cliff Johnson for most pinch-hit homers.

Padres manager Bud Black said the record is very special. He called the pinch-hitter role one of the most difficult in baseball.

Stairs has 262 home runs in a career that began with the Montreal Expos in 1992. His most famous homer as a pinch-hitter came with two outs in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the 2008 National League championship series. His two-run drive lifted the Phillies to a 7-5 victory over the Dodgers.

Johnson played from 1972-1986.