The Associated Press

PEORIA, Ariz. — Tim Stauffer was so efficient Wednesday he hoped to pitch another inning.

But with several San Diego teammates needing work, Stauffer had to settle for six strong innings in the Padres’ 10-7 win over the Cincinnati Reds highlighted by Will Venable’s inside-the-park-homer.

Stauffer, who missed his last start with a hip flexor, needed only 81 pitches to complete his day as he retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. He also had several chances to sufficiently test his hip and was pleased with the progress.

“I was able to get in a groove after I settled down a little bit and found my mechanics,” Stauffer said. “(The hip) felt good. I was able to test it covering first a few times, which I was kind of waiting to test it.

“It’s not as much pain as it was discomfort, but it has been feeling good for the last week or so,” he said.

Venable had a two-run triple off Dontrelle Willis to go with the homer in four at-bats.

Venable hit a drive off the facing of the center field fence in the first inning against Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey (0-2).

Bailey, who is set to the be the No. 2 starter in the Reds’ rotation, allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk in five innings. Bailey threw 85 pitches and said he believes he’s ready for the regular season.

“It was not too bad,” Bailey said. “The only thing that bothered me was the walk. The flyball came off the wall in a crazy direction. I was in the zone but here and there, I got behind a couple hitters and that kind of cost me.”

Willis is a non-roster invitee who is fighting for the final job in the Reds’ bullpen. He only recorded one out while surrendering five runs on three hits and three walks.

“It’s just a matter of inconsistency,” Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. “One time good. One time not so good. When he throws strikes, he’s tough. He’ll get some more chances. He’ll probably pitch twice more.

“Every time he pitches good he increases his chances. If he doesn’t it decreases his chances. That’s how it goes,” Baker said.

Padres reliever Luke Gregerson also struggled, allowing five runs on four hits and a hit batter. Mike Adams and Dustin Moseley both pitched a scoreless inning in relief for San Diego.

Chris Denorfia and Kevin Frandsen each had two hits for the Padres. Frandsen, a non-roster invitee competing for a utility spot with San Diego, has eight hits in his last 19 at-bats after starting the spring by going hitless in 18 at-bats.

“He has been playing sound baseball the last week to 10 days,” Padres manager Bud Black said.

Juan Francisco and Devin Mesoraco each hit two-run homers for the Reds.