SAN DIEGO — Nothing from the Padres’ 2011 season should have
come as a surprise.

That’s what happens when a budget-conscious franchise removes
the best-valued contract in baseball and one of the top hitters in
the game from its lineup. That’s what happens when young players
regress and free-agent moves don’t pan out. That’s what happens
when the farm system can’t help patch holes.

With the Padres having one of the lowest payrolls in baseball,
their 71-91 record in 2011 should be considered the norm. Until
general manager Jed Hoyer’s vision of a farm system capable of
producing several prospects per season comes to fruition, the
Padres’ stunning 2010 season — in which they won 90 games and fell
one game short of the playoffs — will be nothing more than an
outlier.

The trade of Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox last
offseason placed Hoyer and the Padres in an almost insurmountable
hole. Although the Padres received several prospects that they
believe will become franchise cornerstones, an irreplaceable player
was lost.

Hoyer did everything he could to make up for Gonzalez’s absence
through free agency and trades. It wasn’t enough.

Gonzalez’s replacements — Brad Hawpe and Jorge Cantu — flopped.
Hawpe’s bat was inconsistent before his season-ending injury, and
his inexperience at first base hurt the defense. Cantu never hit
and was released in June.

The Padres hoped that the additions of middle infielders Jason
Bartlett and Orlando Hudson would strengthen the team. But neither
player lived up to expectations.

Hudson had trouble staying healthy and never hit as well as the
team hoped, and Bartlett committed 18 errors, though most were in
the first half.

The team’s bench also failed to match the 2010 group in terms of
production and leadership. Hoyer said last week that the latter
factor played a significant role as the Padres — who didn’t retain
David Eckstein, Jerry Hairston Jr., Yorvit Torrealba or Matt Stairs
— suffered from a leadership void for most of the season.

One of the team’s few bright spots, center fielder Cameron
Maybin, asserted himself in the clubhouse late in the season and
backed it up on the field with stellar play. But the Padres will
need even more internal direction from their players to improve at
Petco Park, where they won only 35 of 81 games. The team’s 35-46
home record was tied for the worst since the park opened in
2004.

With run production lacking at Petco, run prevention is
significant. The Padres were great at saving runs in 2010. They
were above-average in 2011, but only after a second-half
turnaround.

After ranking at the bottom of the fielding standings for the
first half of the season, the Padres cleaned up defensively and
finished ranked fourth in the National League.

The team’s pitching staff ranked third in the league with a 3.44
ERA. But even that performance wasn’t up to the team’s lofty
standards. As Hoyer and manager Bud Black noted, the Padres rarely
outpitched an opponent.

Before returning to form in the second half, Mat Latos struggled
through a sloppy first three months. Clayton Richard also slumped
before he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery after 18
starts.

Of the position players, outfielder Will Venable was too
inconsistent to hit leadoff. Catcher Nick Hundley was an All-Star
when healthy, but he missed 60-plus games with injuries. And Ryan
Ludwick wasn’t the middle-of-the-order threat that the Padres
expected.

Not all was bad. The Padres’ farm system produced two league
titles — Single-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio — and four
teams that reached the postseason.

And because the Padres were out of contention by early July,
they had plenty of time for evaluation. Anthony Rizzo, James
Darnell, Josh Spence, Erik Hamren and several others saw
significant field action.

Jesus Guzman came out of nowhere to produce a strong rookie
campaign. Cory Luebke developed into a good starting pitcher.
Anthony Bass put himself in position to make the 2012 roster.
Maybin became a fixture in center and a player the Padres can build
around.

But the Padres aren’t contenders yet.

With few dollars available to make significant changes, and not
enough impact prospects ready, the Padres are likely to find
themselves facing an uphill battle again next April.

SAN DIEGO — Mat Latos took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and struck out nine in seven innings, and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Monday night.

It was a strong finish to an uneven season for Latos (9-14) who struggled during the first half. It was the 16th time in his last 17 starts that Latos allowed three or fewer runs. He allowed only two hits before Chad Qualls threw a perfect eighth and Heath Bell a perfect ninth for his 43rd save in 48 chances.

It was the 10th shutout for the Padres and the 10th time the Cubs were shut out.

Latos was perfect through four innings before issuing his only walk, to Carlos Pena leading off the fifth. Pena stole second but was stranded after Latos retired the side.

Latos didn’t allow his first hit until Cubs starter Casey Coleman tripled into the gap in right-center with one out in the sixth. Latos then got a groundout and fly out to strand Coleman.

Starlin Castro singled leading off the seventh and reached third with two outs before Latos got Steve Clevenger to foul out.

San Diego’s Will Venable homered to straightaway center field leading off the sixth, his eighth. Jesus Guzman doubled with one out and scored on Cameron Maybin’s double, which chased Coleman.

Casey Coleman (3-9) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings, struck out seven and walked two.

NOTES: Like the Padres, the Cubs have 90 losses. … Castro singled off Latos leading off the seventh to reach base safely in a career-high 38 straight games. … Chicago’s Rafael Dolis made his big league debut when he relieved Coleman with two outs in the sixth. He got Chase Headley to ground out. … The series continues Tuesday night with Cubs righty Matt Garza (9-10, 3.35) facing San Diego rookie righty Anthony Bass (2-0, 1.66). Garza will look to extend his winning streak to season-high four games. In his last start, he threw the eighth complete game of his career and his second this season. Bass will be making his third career start.

A good effort by San Diego’s Aaron Harang wasn’t enough against
the Arizona Diamondbacks and Joe Saunders.

Saunders took a five-hitter into the ninth inning, Paul
Goldschmidt drove in three runs and the Diamondbacks beat the
Padres 5-1 Sunday to cut the magic number to five for their first
NL West title since 2007.

Harang (13-7) allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings. He
has lost four of his last five starts despite a 3.19 ERA in that
span.

“He pitched a game that was good enough to win,” San Diego
manager Bud Black said. “But we just couldn’t get to Joe Saunders.
His assortment of fastballs in, fastballs down and away. We just
couldn’t get enough balls squared against him.”

Both runs off Harang came on solo homers _ by Miguel Montero and
Goldschmidt. The home runs were decisive, as they have been in many
of Harang’s losses.

The right-hander is 8-1 in the 14 starts where he has not
allowed a home run. In his other 13 starts, Harang has given up 20
homers and has a 5-6 record.

Cameron Maybin had a leadoff single in the third, stole second,
took third on Montero’s throwing error from behind the plate and
scored on Jason Bartlett’s groundout.

Montero’s 17th homer tied the score leading off the fourth.
Goldschmidt put the Diamondbacks ahead 2-1 with a leadoff homer in
the sixth.

“I wish I could have gone back out there for the seventh,”
Harang said. “But Buddy had his reasons. I felt good but two balls
they did a good job of hitting.”

Goldschmidt combined with Aaron Hill for RBI singles in the
seventh against Brad Brach and added a sacrifice fly against Erik
Hamren in the eighth.

Arizona maintained a five-game lead over second-place San
Francisco with nine games remaining, stopping a three-game losing
streak. The Diamondbacks open a nine-game homestand Monday against
Pittsburgh, then host the Giants for a three-game series next
weekend.

Saunders (12-12) limited last-place San Diego an unearned run
and seven hits in 8 2-3 innings, improving to 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA
against the Padres this season. After two-out singles by Blanks and
Alberto Gonzalez in the ninth, J.J. Putz struck out pinch-hitter
Nick Hundley for his 41st save in 45 chances.

San Francisco kept the pressure on the Diamondbacks with its
eighth straight win, 12-5 at Colorado.

“It’s been a couple of days, so it’s a good feeling,” Arizona
manager Kirk Gibson said. “Every victory at this point of the
season is great. The Giants have been playing great and are on a
big winning streak. We needed to match that and take care of our
own business.”

NOTES: Arizona was 11-7 against San Diego, which is 23-43
against the NL West. … San Diego LHP Corey Luebke (5-9, 3.27)
will start the opener of a three-game series, the club’s final road
games, at Colorado against RHP Kevin Millwood (3-2, 3.68).

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

SAN DIEGO (AP)—With the San Francisco Giants getting hot, the Arizona
Diamondbacks know they have to keep winning.

Joe Saunders(notes) took a five-hitter into the ninth inning, Paul Goldschmidt(notes)
drove in three runs and the Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 5-1 Sunday to
cut the magic number to five for their first NL West title since 2007.

Arizona maintained a five-game lead over second-place San Francisco with
nine games remaining, stopping a three-game losing streak. The Diamondbacks open
a nine-game homestand Monday against Pittsburgh, then host the Giants for a
three-game series next weekend.

“When you go on a little stretch and you get a little antsy like that, you
start to press a little bit,” Saunders said. “You just need to relax. When you
relax, things come easier to you. I think that’s what happened. They didn’t try
to do to much and we just played our game.”

San Francisco kept the pressure on the Diamondbacks with its eighth straight
win, 12-5 at Colorado.

“It’s been a couple of days, so it’s a good feeling,” Arizona manager Kirk
Gibson said. “Every victory at this point of the season is great. The Giants
have been playing great and are on a big winning streak. We needed to match that
and take care of our own business.”

Saunders (12-12) wanted to make sure he did his job at Petco Park, where he
has pitched his best games this season.

The lefty limited last-place San Diego to an unearned run and seven hits in
8 2-3 innings, improving to 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA against the Padres this year. He
threw his only complete game this season in a 6-1 win at San Diego on July 26.

“I came in this morning and decided I need to go out there and throw my `A’
game,” Saunders said. “We got some clutch hits down the stretch. We’re
grinding it out. It was a good win for us.”

After Saunders allowed two-out singles by Kyle Blanks(notes) and Alberto Gonzalez(notes)
in the ninth, J.J. Putz(notes) struck out pinch-hitter Nick Hundley(notes) for his 41st save
in 45 chances.

Goldschmidt led the Arizona offense, which managed just three runs during
the losing streak. Goldschmidt had three hits, including a leadoff homer in the
sixth that put the Diamondbacks ahead for good at 2-1.

“We just couldn’t get to Joe Saunders,” Padres manager Bud Black said.
“His assortment of fastballs in, fastballs down and away. We just couldn’t get
enough balls squared against him.”

Aaron Harang(notes) (13-7) allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings. He has
lost four of his last five starts despite a 3.19 ERA in that span.

Cameron Maybin(notes) had a leadoff single in the third, stole second, took third
on Miguel Montero’s(notes) throwing error from behind the plate and scored on Jason
Bartlett’s(notes) groundout.

Montero’s 17th homer tied the score leading off the fourth. Goldschmidt put
the Diamondbacks ahead 2-1 with a leadoff homer in the sixth.

“It was just a first-pitch fastball up and away,” Goldschmidt said. “He
likes to get ahead with fastballs, so I was looking for it.”

Goldschmidt combined with Aaron Hill(notes) for RBI singles in the seventh against
Brad Brach(notes) and added a sacrifice fly against Erik Hamren(notes) in the eighth.

NOTES: Arizona was 11-7 against San Diego, which is 23-43 against the NL
West. … RHP Ian Kennedy(notes) (19-4, 2.99 ERA) will attempt to become the NL’s first
20-game winner this season Monday when he faces Pittsburgh RHP Jeff Karstens(notes)
(9-8, 3.45). … San Diego LHP Corey Luebke (5-9, 3.27) will start the opener of
a three-game series, the club’s final road games, at Colorado against RHP Kevin
Millwood(notes) (3-2, 3.68).

Arizona maintained a five-game lead over second-place San Francisco with nine games remaining, stopping a three-game losing streak. The Diamondbacks open a nine-game homestand Monday against Pittsburgh, then host the Giants for a three-game series next weekend.

“When you go on a little stretch and you get a little antsy like that, you start to press a little bit,” Saunders said. “You just need to relax. When you relax, things come easier to you. I think that’s what happened. They didn’t try to do to much and we just played our game.”

San Francisco kept the pressure on the Diamondbacks with its eighth straight win, 12-5 at Colorado.

“It’s been a couple of days, so it’s a good feeling,” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. “Every victory at this point of the season is great. The Giants have been playing great and are on a big winning streak. We needed to match that and take care of our own business.”

Saunders (12-12) wanted to make sure he did his job at Petco Park, where he has pitched his best games this season.

The lefty limited last-place San Diego to an unearned run and seven hits in 8 2-3 innings, improving to 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA against the Padres this year. He threw his only complete game this season in a 6-1 win at San Diego on July 26.

“I came in this morning and decided I need to go out there and throw my ‘A’ game,” Saunders said. “We got some clutch hits down the stretch. We’re grinding it out. It was a good win for us.”

After Saunders allowed two-out singles by Kyle Blanks and Alberto Gonzalez in the ninth, J.J. Putz struck out pinch-hitter Nick Hundley for his 41st save in 45 chances.

Goldschmidt led the Arizona offense, which managed just three runs during the losing streak. Goldschmidt had three hits, including a leadoff homer in the sixth that put the Diamondbacks ahead for good at 2-1.

“We just couldn’t get to Joe Saunders,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “His assortment of fastballs in, fastballs down and away. We just couldn’t get enough balls squared against him.”

Aaron Harang (13-7) allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings. He has lost four of his last five starts despite a 3.19 ERA in that span.

Cameron Maybin had a leadoff single in the third, stole second, took third on Miguel Montero’s throwing error from behind the plate and scored on Jason Bartlett’s groundout.

Montero’s 17th homer tied the score leading off the fourth. Goldschmidt put the Diamondbacks ahead 2-1 with a leadoff homer in the sixth.

“It was just a first-pitch fastball up and away,” Goldschmidt said. “He likes to get ahead with fastballs, so I was looking for it.”

Goldschmidt combined with Aaron Hill for RBI singles in the seventh against Brad Brach and added a sacrifice fly against Erik Hamren in the eighth.

NOTES: Arizona was 11-7 against San Diego, which is 23-43 against the NL West. … RHP Ian Kennedy (19-4, 2.99 ERA) will attempt to become the NL’s first 20-game winner this season Monday when he faces Pittsburgh RHP Jeff Karstens (9-8, 3.45). … San Diego LHP Corey Luebke (5-9, 3.27) will start the opener of a three-game series, the club’s final road games, at Colorado against RHP Kevin Millwood (3-2, 3.68).

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.