Padres extend manager’s contract

The San Diego Padres have extended the contract of Manager Bud Black through the 2010 season, with a club option for 2011, the team said Thursday.

Black has managed the Padres since 2007, when they lost to Colorado in a 13-inning, one-game playoff to determine the National League’s wild-card team.

San Diego is in last place in the NL West with a 44-65 record. But General Manager Kevin Towers said Black could bring the Padres back into playoff contention.

Bud has proven to be a smart baseball man and a mature leader, and it is important for us to have some continuity with our leadership on the field, Towers said. He is a class act and he’s the right person to lead us back to contending for a division title.

Before joining the Padres, Black spent seven seasons as the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels.

In his 15-year career as a major league pitcher, he posted a 121-116 record.