PHOENIX -- When Mike Clevinger walked off the field for the final time Wednesday afternoon, he experienced a different-yet-familiar feeling.

This wasn’t the Clevinger of 2021 who never stepped onto a mound. It wasn’t even the Clevinger of April or May from this year, when the Padres right-hander struggled to find any routine or consistency.

This was “Vintage Clev,” as Padres manager Bob Melvin put it.

“It felt nostalgic,” Clevinger said. “It felt good to finally have a feel for everything that I’m doing.”

That was evident as Clevinger carved through the D-backs’ lineup. He tossed six sterling innings -- his longest of seven outings this season -- and allowed only one hit and one walk in San Diego’s 4-0 win over Arizona in the two-game series finale at Chase Field. Clevinger struck out six and retired 12 of the final 13 batters he faced.

It was the type of outing the Padres expected to routinely see from Clevinger after they acquired him at the 2020 Trade Deadline. And he’s pitched like this when he’s been healthy -- that just hasn’t been often.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery four starts into his San Diego career, Clevinger missed all of ‘21. Early in ‘22, the 31-year-old has already made three trips to the injured list -- once in April (right knee sprain), once in May (right triceps strain) and once in June (COVID-19 protocol).

When Clevinger came off the COVID-19 IL earlier this month, he returned with a two-inning relief appearance at Colorado on June 17. In two starts since rejoining the Padres’ six-man rotation -- both against the D-backs -- he’s allowed one run over 10 innings.

This time out, Clevinger threw 86 pitches, his most since exceeding 90 in each of his first two outings of the year on May 4 and May 10.

“It’s been stop, start, stop, start all year for him. Cut him off after three [innings], 60 pitches, 90 pitches,” Melvin said. “He went out there and looked like a different guy today. He knew he had the brunt of the game in him, fastball velo was there from the very beginning, cutter, breaking ball, everything. This is why this organization went out and got him.”

The Padres’ starting rotation has been more than fine without Clevinger. They have five other hurlers who have made it one of the best units in MLB. But wouldn’t it be nice for the club to have Clevinger reach his top form and push the staff to another level?

Clevinger surely wants to drop the restrictions and let it rip. Now that he’s made two consecutive starts -- and has a fairly fresh arm, considering he pitched only 37 2/3 total innings across April, May and June (including a trio of Minor League outings) -- he’s raring to go for July and beyond.

“I just can’t wait to go out there and not have a pitch count, just try to help the team win vs. feel like I’m a rehab guy still, because it kind of has that feeling,” Clevinger said. “It’s been rough, but it’s just finding the silver linings in everything and trying to stay positive and still showing up the same guy every day.”

The Padres’ 3.49 rotation ERA ranks second in the National League, behind only the Dodgers. Clevinger may not have pitched a ton so far, but he’s been effective when he has, posting a 2.79 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.

On Wednesday, Clevinger induced 14 whiffs, including six with his four-seam fastball, which he threw for 49 percent of his pitches (well above his season average of 26.4) and touched 96.6 mph. He was also effective with his secondary pitches -- especially his slider and cutter, which combined for seven whiffs on 11 swings.

“That’s the best I’ve seen him, especially this year. He was lights-out,” said San Diego second baseman Jake Cronenworth, who had three hits and two RBIs. “I think that’s the Clev that everybody expects.”

After the Padres won for only the second time in the past six games, it will be up to the rest of the rotation to keep this momentum going. The Friars are headed to Dodger Stadium for the first time this season for a four-game series vs. the Dodgers that begins Thursday.

Clevinger did his part to be the stopper and provide a spark, and he’ll be ready to do so again next time out. He’s confident in his teammates to do the same in between.

“We’ve got a bunch of stud arms here,” Clevinger said. “It’s good to have that backing. It’s good to have that confidence in the guys coming in behind you and the other guys in the rotation.”