SAN DIEGO (AP) — Aaron Harang threw seven strong innings and Cameron Maybin had two hits and an RBI as the San Diego Padres dealt a big blow to the San Francisco Giants’ fading playoff hopes with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night.

The Giants, who have 19 games left, came into the game trailing NL West-leading Arizona by six games.

San Francisco rookie Brett Pill homered for a second straight game after he hit a home run Tuesday night in his first major league at-bat.

Will Venable had a solo homer and scored twice, while Maybin doubled and tripled in a run in the ninth.

The Padres got clutch defensive plays by Venable and Maybin.

The first was by Maybin, who made a long running catch while crashing into the wall in left-center field to rob Justin Christian leading off the game. Maybin hit his forehead on the padded wall and was on the ground for about a minute before he got up and stayed in the game.

Venable threw out Pill at home in the seventh when the rookie tried to score on a medium fly ball to right by pinch-hitter Pat Burrell.

San Diego won for the second time in 13 games overall. The Padres had lost six of their previous seven home games against San Francisco.

Harang (13-5) broke a two-start losing streak by allowing one run and four hits in seven innings. Harang, who struck out three and walked three, is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts this season against the Giants, all at Petco Park.

Heath Bell got the final four outs for his 36th save in 40 chances. Bell replaced Chad Qualls in the eighth and threw one pitch to retire Carlos Beltran on a line drive to right with a runner on first and two outs.

Matt Cain (11-10) gave up two runs and four hits over seven innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three.

Cain, making his 200th career start, dropped to 8-19 lifetime against San Diego.

Venable led off the Padres’ first with his seventh homer to right. It also extended his season club record for leadoff homers to five.

The home run was the third allowed by Cain in his last 20 starts. Overall, Cain has given up only eight homers.

Pill tied the game with a homer leading off the fifth. Pill joined John Bowker as the only two players in franchise history to homer in their first two major league games.

Pill homered off Wade LeBlanc on Tuesday night in his first major league at-bat, a two-run shot in the second inning of the Giants’ 6-4 win.

The Padres took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Jesus Guzman singled in Maybin, who reached on a two-out double.

Notes: Cain has pitched 203 innings this season, the fifth straight season he has reached the 200-inning mark. … Bowker homered in his major league debut on April 12, 2008, and again the next day. … It is “improbable” that Padres INF Logan Forsythe will play again this season, according to manager Bud Black. Forsythe has not played since Friday with an inflamed patellar tendon in his right knee. But Black said Forsythe’s surgically repaired left knee is bothering him and will likely end his season. … After a day off, Giants RHP Tim Lincecum (12-12, 2.75 ERA) will attempt to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time this season in four starts (0-2, 1.86) on Friday to open a six-game homestand. LHP Clayton Kershaw (17-5, 2.45) pitches for the Dodgers. … LHP Cory Luebke (5-8, 3.29) will start for the Padres on Thursday at Arizona, facing NL wins leader RHP Ian Kennedy (18-4, 2.96).

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

SAN DIEGO (AP)—The San Francisco Giants know time is running short on
defending their World Series title.

Aaron Harang(notes) threw seven strong innings and Cameron Maybin(notes) had two hits and
an RBI as the San Diego Padres dealt a big blow to the Giants’ fading playoff
hopes with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night.

The Giants, who have 19 games left, came into the game trailing NL
West-leading Arizona by six games. San Francisco has dropped three of four and
six of 10.

“We have to win,” Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain(notes) said. “That’s all we
have to do, is win.”

San Francisco was going for a sweep of the three-game series against a club
it had beaten six of the previous seven games at Petco Park.

But Cain, who is 8-19 lifetime against the Padres, had little to show for
allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings. After he allowed Will
Venable’s(notes) leadoff homer in the first, he settled down and retired 11 consecutive
batters before he issued two walks. Cain didn’t allow another hit until Maybin’s
two-out double in the sixth.

“He did a great job,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He gave up the
leadoff homer and then he dealt. He keeps grinding out there for us.”

Cain (11-10) struck out seven and walked three as he made his 200th career
start.

San Francisco rookie Brett Pill(notes) homered for a second straight game after he
hit a home run Tuesday night in his first major league at-bat.

“It’s kind of frustrating when we can’t really do anything for Matt,” Pill
said.

Venable scored twice, while Maybin doubled and tripled in a run in the
ninth.

The Padres got clutch defensive plays by Venable and Maybin.

The first was by Maybin, who made a long running catch while crashing into
the wall in left-center field to rob Justin Christian(notes) leading off the game.
Maybin hit his forehead on the padded wall and was on the ground for about a
minute before he got up and stayed in the game.

“I kind of face-planted dead square,” Maybin said. “Luckily, I was able
to make a play and keep the early momentum because those guys take advantage.”

Venable threw out Pill at home in the seventh when the rookie tried to score
on a medium fly ball to right by pinch-hitter Pat Burrell(notes).

“It’s one of those things that you have to go for it,” Bochy said. “It
took a perfect throw. Those are the things you look back on and they hurt.”

Said Harang: “The guys made some good plays from the first hitter of the
game that kind of set the tone. It showed the intensity and excitement level
that was going to happen.”

San Diego, last in the NL West at 62-81, won for the second time in 13 games
overall.

“That’s the kind of intensity we have to bring day in and day out, no
matter where we are in the standings,” Maybin said.

Harang (13-5) broke a two-start losing streak by allowing one run and four
hits in seven innings. Harang, who struck out three and walked three, is 2-0
with a 0.90 ERA in three starts this season against the Giants, all at Petco
Park.

Heath Bell(notes) got the final four outs for his 36th save in 40 chances. Bell
replaced Chad Qualls(notes) in the eighth and threw one pitch to retire Carlos Beltran(notes)
on a line drive to right with a runner on first and two outs.

Venable led off the Padres’ first with his seventh homer to right. It also
extended his season club record for leadoff homers to five.

The home run was the third allowed by Cain in his last 20 starts. Overall,
Cain has given up only eight homers.

“Everything was feeling all right,” he said. “I was trying to get ahead
of guys and get early strikes.”

Pill tied the game with a homer leading off the fifth. Pill joined John
Bowker(notes) as the only two players in franchise history to homer in their first two
major league games.

Pill homered off Wade LeBlanc(notes) on Tuesday night in his first major league
at-bat, a two-run shot in the second inning of the Giants’ 6-4 win.

The Padres took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Jesus Guzman(notes) singled in Maybin,
who reached on a two-out double.

Notes: Cain has pitched 203 innings this season, the fifth straight season
he has reached the 200-inning mark. … Bowker homered in his major league debut
on April 12, 2008, and again the next day. … Padres manager Bud Black said
after the game that INF Logan Forsythe(notes) would undergo surgery on his left knee on
Thursday. Forsythe has not played since Friday with an inflamed patellar tendon
in his right knee. But Black said Forsythe’s left knee, surgically repaired in
the offseason, starting bothering him midway through this season. … After a
day off, Giants RHP Tim Lincecum(notes) (12-12, 2.75 ERA) will attempt to beat the Los
Angeles Dodgers for the first time this season in four starts (0-2, 1.86) on
Friday to open a six-game homestand. LHP Clayton Kershaw(notes) (17-5, 2.45) pitches
for the Dodgers. … LHP Cory Luebke(notes) (5-8, 3.29) will start for the Padres on
Thursday at Arizona, facing NL wins leader RHP Ian Kennedy(notes) (18-4, 2.96).

“The big joke in the clubhouse is, ‘You’re still here?’ ” Bell said, chuckling. “I said I couldn’t find the Giants clubhouse.”

While his name circulated on flat-screen televisions in both clubhouses, Bell and seemingly everybody else in the ballpark remained skeptical about whether he will actually end up with the defending World Series champions.

San Diego has 48 hours from the time Bell was claimed to decide whether to work out a trade for the three-time All-Star, allow him to be claimed or pull him back from waivers. The Giants already have one of baseball’s best bullpens – albeit banged up at the moment – and it would seem unlikely that general manager Brian Sabean would give up anything of value in a trade.

The move could be just to block NL West-leading Arizona – under first-year general manager and former Padres GM Kevin Towers – or other contenders from landing Bell. San Francisco began the day two games back of the Diamondbacks.

Asked if Bell, 33, would still be with the club after the deadline, Padres manager Bud Black said he would be “extremely shocked” if his closer wasn’t.

But San Francisco’s stellar bullpen is certainly fractured.

There is no timetable for when Brian Wilson will test his inflamed right elbow, although there’s a chance he could return in early September. Wilson has declined to discuss his injury.

The Giants are more confident that setup man Sergio Romo, also on the DL with an elbow injury, will be back soon. Manager Bruce Bochy said he hadn’t talked to Sabean yet and wouldn’t speculate about the team’s plans.

 

In yesterday’s games: * 

At Pittsburgh, Aaron Thompson pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings in his big-league debut, Jason Grilli followed with 2 2/3 shutout innings, winning his first game in nearly 2 years, and four Pirates pitchers combined on a five-hitter in a 2-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

* At St. Louis, Juan Rivera homered and knocked in three runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers scored an early knockout of the Cardinals for the second straight day, completing their first road sweep of the season with a 9-4 win.

* At Denver, Troy Tulowitzki scored from third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning and the Colorado Rockies beat the Houston Astros, 7-6, to complete a three-game sweep.

* At Miami, Joey Votto homered in each game of a doubleheader, and Bronson Arroyo (8-10) pitched eight scoreless innings in the nightcap, leading Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory for a split of the twinbill.

Logan Morrison returned from his demotion to Triple A New Orleans by homering in the Marlins’ 6-5 victory in the opener.

* At Washington, Daniel Hudson fell one out short of his first career shutout, and the Diamondbacks topped the Nationals, 4-2. Hudson (13-9) had the Nationals blanked through 8 2/3 innings before giving up back-to-back homers to Laynce Nix and Jonny Gomes.

* At Chicago, Alfonso Soriano homered, Randy Wells pitched effectively into the seventh and the Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves, 3-2. Wells (5-4) held the Braves to one run and two hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out six.

* At San Francisco, Carlos Beltran homered and scored on a single by Tim Lincecum (12-10), who struck out seven over eight innings, as the Giants beat the San Diego Padres, 2-1.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell has confirmed that he has been claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants, although even he is skeptical about whether he will actually end up with the defending World Series champions.

The burly right-hander said before Wednesday night’s game — coincidentally at San Francisco — that he’s planning to “sweat my butt off” when the Padres play at Arizona on Friday.

“I feel pretty honored. They’re the world champs, they want me to be part of their organization,” Bell said. “But nothing has happened right now. I’m a Padre, and I’m pretty happy about that. Until something happens, there’s really not much to talk about.”

San Diego has 48 hours from the time Bell was claimed to decide whether to trade the three-time All-Star, allow him to be claimed or pull him back from waivers. Giants general manager Brian Sabean might also just be trying to block NL West-leading Arizona — under first-year general manager and former Padres GM Kevin Towers — from landing Bell.

The Giants won the claim, first reported by ESPN, for the 33-year-old Bell earlier in the day. He converted his 35th save in 39 opportunities in Tuesday’s 7-5 win over San Francisco.

Bell admitted it would be odd to switch clubhouses at AT&T Park in the middle of a quick two-game series.

“It would be easy. It wouldn’t be that far,” he said, chuckling. “I know where the locker room is. It would be a little weird just because we’ve had so many battles over the years.”

The Giants are beat up in the bullpen, with closer Brian Wilson and reliever Sergio Romo on the disabled list.

There is no timetable for when Wilson will get on a mound and test his inflamed right elbow, though there’s a chance he could return in early September for the stretch run. Wilson has declined to discuss his injury.

Wilson was last season’s majors saves leader with 48, while Bell had 47. San Francisco began the day two games back of the Diamondbacks in the division race.

____

AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley in San Francisco and AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed to this story.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. —
Padres 7, Giants 5

Alberto Gonzalez hit a go-ahead single in the ninth inning, Kyle Blanks had a two-run homer and the San Diego Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 7-5 on Tuesday night for their season-best fifth straight victory.

Nick Hundley doubled against Ramon Ramirez (2-2) to start the ninth, then Logan Forsythe sacrificed him to third before Gonzalez singled up the middle. Will Venable followed with a run-scoring single.

Erik Hamren (1-0) retired pinch-hitter Miguel Tejada on a lineout to end the Giants’ three-run eighth for his first major league win. Heath Bell finished for his 35th save in 39 opportunities.

The reigning World Series champion Giants fell two games behind the first-place Diamondbacks in the NL West after Arizona won at Washington.

Mat Latos didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning, but the Padres’ bullpen couldn’t hold a three-run lead.

Recent call-up Hector Sanchez singled in the eighth for his first major league hit and RBI, then Orlando Cabrera followed with a tying RBI single that chased Luke Gregerson.

But pinch-hitter Carlos Beltran popped out to end the eighth a few hours after he was activated from the disabled list. He received a roaring ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,288 when he stepped into the batter’s box.

Jesus Guzman and Cameron Maybin each hit an RBI single for the Padres, who kicked off an eight-game road trip and a stretch with 30 straight games against division foes.

Blanks’ second-inning drive was the first home run allowed by Matt Cain in 13 starts since June 14 at Arizona.

The Giants, back in their ballpark by the bay for a season-long 12-game homestand, also hurt their cause with three errors. San Diego overcame two blunders of its own.

Chris Stewart broke up Latos’ no-hit bid with a bloop single to center leading off the fifth.

Latos allowed only Cody Ross’ two-out walk in the second before running into trouble in the fourth. The right-hander retired the first two batters, then walked the bases loaded for Aaron Rowand, but he grounded out. Ross hit an RBI double in the eighth.

After Maybin’s third-inning RBI single, Cain retired the next 10 batters in order before giving up a leadoff single to Orlando Hudson in the seventh.

Hudson fouled a ball off his right foot in the eighth and fell to the ground, writhing in pain. He walked it off and drew a walk on the next pitch from Steve Edlefsen.

The Giants scored two in the sixth, getting a break on Guzman’s gaffe at first base. Guzman fielded Brandon Belt’s sharp grounder, held onto the ball trying to freeze the runner and then opted to throw home rather than make the routine out at first. His throw was wild and well up the third-base line for a two-run error.

Cain was charged with an error when he apparently missed the bag while covering first on Hudson’s grounder leading off the second. Blanks then homered on an 0-2 pitch.

The three errors matched San Francisco’s season high and gave the Giants 92 on the season.

Things aren’t going well for the defending champs.

San Francisco placed five players on the disabled list during its recent 4-6 road trip and six others missed time with injuries.

The Giants added to that list Tuesday but also got some good news with Beltran’s return from a strained right hand and wrist. The switch-hitter hopes to start Wednesday night.

San Francisco put left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez on the 15-day DL with a sprained left ankle. Outfielder Nate Schierholtz was in a walking boot for a broken bone in his right foot. There was no timeline for when he might play again.

There was another scare early when first baseman Aubrey Huff tried to chased down Guzman’s ball in foul territory and right fielder Ross charged in, slid low and took Huff down. Huff was slow getting up but stayed in the game.

NOTES: Blanks has hit safely in 14 of his last 18 games since Aug. 5 — getting six homers and 18 RBIs in that span. … Cain committed his third error of the season, matching the most of his career, also done in 2006. … Maybin, San Diego’s CF who wears No. 24 like Hall of Famer Willie Mays, got to meet the Say Hey Kid at his Bay Area home Tuesday. … The Giants committed only 73 errors in 2010. … RHP Tim Lincecum (11-10) pitches Wednesday night for the Giants looking for his third win in four starts this season vs. San Diego. He is 7-4 with a 2.16 ERA lifetime in 16 career starts against the Padres. … Tim Stauffer (8-9) takes the mound for San Diego looking to improve on his 3-5 road record.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) – Alberto Gonzalez and Will Venable both
hit RBI singles in the ninth inning to lift the San Diego Padres over the San
Francisco Giants, 7-5, in the opener of a quick two-game series.

The Giants sent Ramon Ramirez (2-2) to the mound in the ninth after scoring
three runs in the eighth to tie the game. Nick Hundley led off with a double
down the left-field line, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored the
go-ahead run on Gonzalez’s base hit up the middle. Gonzalez advanced to second
on a wild pitch and crossed the plate on Venable’s single to right to account
for the final margin.

Mat Latos gave up two runs — one earned — on three hits in a six-inning
start for the Padres, who have won a season-high five straight games. Erik
Hamren (1-0) recorded the final out in the eighth to pick up his first victory
in the majors. Heath Bell got his 35th save.

Cody Ross, Hector Sanchez and Orlando Cabrera each drove in a run for the
Giants, who sit two games back of Arizona in the NL West. The Diamondbacks
beat the Nationals on Tuesday.

Matt Cain allowed five runs — three earned — on six hits over seven innings
for San Francisco, which has lost six of eight.

GAME NOTES:

The Sports Network

The San Diego Padres hope to push the rival San Francisco
Giants even further off the NL West lead when the division rivals kick off a
quick two-game set tonight from AT&T Park.

The Padres will start an eight-game road trip Tuesday against the Giants,
Diamondbacks and Dodgers, and have won four in a row after a sweep of the
Florida Marlins at Petco Park. They completed the sweep with Sunday’s 4-3
victory, as Will Venable singled home Nick Hundley for the game-winning run.
Hundley led off the frame with a triple.

Venable also homered and Kyle Blanks drove in a pair of runs for the Padres,
who are 12-6 in their last 18 games and went 5-2 on a seven-game homestand.
Cory Luebke started for San Diego and allowed just one run in six innings with
eight strikeouts and no walks. Luebke retired the first 11 batters before Mike
Stanton drove his 30th home run to left field.

“It takes a lot of pressure off knowing one swing of the bat is not going to
do you in,” Luebke said after his no-decision.

Heath Bell blew the save in 1 1/3 innings of work, giving up a game-tying
homer to Mike Cameron in the ninth, but managed to record a win thanks to
Venable’s heroics in the bottom of the inning. Bell blew his fourth save of
the season on a day the franchise retired former closer Trevor Hoffman’s No.
51 in a pre-game ceremony.

Mat Latos is just 1-4 in his last nine starts and lost to the New York Mets in
Wednesday’s 7-3 setback at Petco Park. Latos allowed three runs and four hits
in six innings of work, falling to 6-12 with a 3.83 ERA in 24 starts. Latos is
just 3-5 in 11 road outings this season and 2-2 with a 2.60 ERA in seven
career starts against the Giants.

Latos, a right-hander, did not figure into the decision of a 4-3 home loss to
San Francisco on July 17, when he gave up three runs in seven innings.

San Francisco is one game behind suddenly-struggling Arizona for the top spot
in the National League West Division and was able to end a three-game slide
and salvage the finale of a three-game set at Houston with Sunday’s 6-4 win in
11 innings. The D’Backs lost their sixth in a row Monday in Washington.

Pablo Sandoval’s two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning was the
difference, helping the defending World Series champion Giants to just their
seventh victory in the previous 23 tries. Sandoval has hit safely in 14 of his
last 17 games and is batting .343 in that stretch. Brandon Belt hit a three-
run homer and finished with four hits for the Giants, who will begin a lengthy
12-game homestand tonight versus the Padres, Astros, Cubs and Diamondbacks.

Dan Runzler, making his first big league start in place of an injured Jonathan
Sanchez, gave up four runs on three hits in just 1 2/3 innings.

“[Runzler] was all over the board. He had trouble getting the ball where he
wanted,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Jeremy Affeldt got the win with two scoreless innings of relief and Ramon
Ramirez earned his third save in the bottom of the 11th frame.

Taking the mound for Bochy’s ballclub tonight will be All-Star Matt Cain. Cain
is 2-4 with a 2.31 earned run average in seven starts since the All-Star break
and was able to end a personal three-game slide with Wednesday’s 7-5 win at
Atlanta. He gave up just one unearned run and five hits in eight innings to
lift his record to 10-9 with a 2.86 ERA in 26 starts.

Cain, who has won at least 10 games in three straight seasons, owns a 5-5 mark
in 12 home starts this season. The right-hander is 0-1 in two meetings with
the Padres this season and just 5-10 with a 3.49 ERA in 25 career starts
against them.

San Francisco is 6-4 against the Padres this season and took three of four
meetings from July 14-17 at Petco Park. The Padres went 12-6 in the 2010
season series.

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Any remaining team that was thinking that maybe it might be able to lure 33-year-old closer Heath Bell(notes) away from the San Diego Padres this offseason when he becomes a free agent was likely finally scared off Monday.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Bell said Monday that he would accept arbitration from the Friars if he wasn’t offered the three-year deal he covets: “If I don’t have a multi-year deal and they offer me arbitration, I will accept arbitration,” Bell said, the paper reports. “My wife [Nicole] and I talked about all the scenarios last night. There is no downside to me accepting arbitration and the family staying in San Diego for at least another year. My kids love it here. My family is happy here. And I’m in a position where I can make some decisions right now. The ball is in my court. I want to stay in San Diego. And I want to win here.”

That last part might have to wait. The Padres are currently in last place in the National League West, 14½ games behind the San Francisco Giants.

Find out before your friends. Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

Related: Heath Bell, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants

SAN DIEGO  — Chris Stewart drove in the go-ahead run with a suicide squeeze in the 11th inning, then pounced on a bunt moments later to start a slick double play that helped the San Francisco Giants hold off the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Sunday.

Emmanuel Burriss, who entered as a pinch-runner in the ninth, reached on a one-out single off Chad Qualls (4-3) in the 11th. Burriss stole second and continued to third on catcher Kyle Phillips’ throwing error.

With the infield in, Qualls pitched out on his first delivery to Stewart, who stayed in the game after pinch-hitting in the ninth. But on a 3-1 count, Stewart laid down a perfect bunt to easily score Burriss.

The Giants stole six bases, two by Burriss, to tie a San Francisco record.

Javier Lopez (5-1) pitched two innings for the win and Brian Wilson wriggled out of a jam in the 11th for his 28th save in 32 chances.

Wilson walked his first two batters and Phillips tried to advance them with a bunt in front of home plate. Stewart quickly popped out of his crouch and fired to third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who relayed to first for a 2-5-4 double play that fired up the Giants’ infield.

Logan Forsythe walked before Wilson retired Alberto Gonzalez on a game-ending grounder.

San Francisco, which has won seven of its last nine games, took three of four in the series. It was the eighth time the clubs have played each other in the last 11 games.

The Padres have lost eight of nine.

San Diego’s Orlando Hudson hit a two-run, go-ahead single in the sixth inning to take advantage of a mistake by catcher Eli Whiteside.

With one out in the sixth and Everth Cabrera at the plate, Matt Cain threw a pitch in the dirt that Cabrera swung at and missed for strike three. But plate umpire Marvin Hudson ruled that Whiteside didn’t catch the ball. While Cabrera took off for first base, Whiteside held up his glove, indicating he had caught the ball, while he argued with Hudson.

By the time Whiteside threw to first, Cabrera beat the throw on what was officially ruled a passed ball.

Cameron Maybin followed with a single and the Padres loaded the bases when Ryan Ludwick was hit on the hand by Cain’s fastball. Hudson then singled in two runs to put the Padres ahead 3-2.

The Giants tied the game in the seventh when Whiteside reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and scored on Andres Torres’ single.

Cain allowed three runs — one earned — and three hits over six innings. The All-Star right-hander struck out nine and walked two.

The Padres scored an unearned run in the first after Will Venable led off with a walk and went to third on a fielding error by second baseman Mike Fontenot on Cabrera’s grounder. Venable scored one out later on Ludwick’s sacrifice fly.

San Francisco tied the score at 1 in the second after consecutive singles by Nate Schierholtz and Aubrey Huff to start the inning followed by Cody Ross’ sacrifice fly.

Schierholtz had a run-scoring single in the sixth for a 2-1 lead.

Padres starter Mat Latos gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings.

NOTES: Cain is 5-1 with a 2.01 ERA in his last nine starts. … Padres SS Jason Bartlett was placed on the paternity leave list. San Diego recalled Cabrera from Triple-A Tucson. … Padres 3B Chase Headley missed his second straight game with a strained right calf.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Zito won his third straight start since coming off the disabled list, Eli Whiteside homered and the San Francisco Giants edged the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Thursday night.

Zito allowed one run and four hits over eight innings with a season-high seven strikeouts while beating the Padres for the first time in nearly three years. The left-hander did not walk a batter and retired 14 of the final 16 hitters he faced.

Pablo Sandoval extended his career-high hitting streak to 18 games while helping San Francisco to its second straight win over its division rival after losing the first two games of the series.

Ryan Ludwick homered for San Diego, who fell to 3-4 on its 10-game road trip.

Zito (3-1) had gone 0-6 with a 5.79 ERA in his nine previous starts against the Padres before his most impressive outing of the season helped the NL West-leading Giants to their fourth win in the last nine games.

That helped San Francisco to its 50th win, the first time the Giants have reached that milestone before the All-Star break since 2003.

Zito breezed through the first three innings before Chris Denorfia singled leading off the fourth. Denorfia stole second and advanced to third on Jason Bartlett’s single.

Bartlett was thrown out trying to steal second and spiked San Francisco’s Bill Hall, knocking him out of the game with a laceration on his left leg. Emmanuel Burriss replaced Hall and promptly caught Chase Headley’s popup to left, and Zito struck out Ludwick to end the inning.

The Giants, who dropped three straight before beating San Diego a day earlier on Nate Schierholtz’s walkoff home run in the 14th inning, gave Zito just enough support.

Whiteside homered leading off the third, only the second given up this season by San Diego starter Cory Luebke. It was also the first run Luebke (2-3) allowed since moving into the rotation after beginning the year in the bullpen.

Miguel Tejada doubled off Luebke in the sixth, took third on Sandoval’s hit and scored on Pat Burrell’s soft single to right to make it 2-0.

Ludwick hit his 11th homer with one out in the seventh, but Zito retired the next two batters then survived a scare in the eighth when Rob Johnson hit a fly ball to deep center. Zito squatted on the mound as the ball was in the air then popped back up when center fielder Andres Torres made the catch.

Zito, who last pitched eight innings in a 1-0 win over the New York Mets on July 16, 2001, left to a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd at AT&T then watched Brian Wilson clinch the win with his 25th save in 29 tries.

Notes: Giants 2B Freddy Sanchez has progressed to hitting off a tee but manager Bruce Bochy says a bigger test will come when Sanchez (dislocated right shoulder) begins throwing again. … IF/OF Brandon Belt was activated from the DL and optioned to Triple-A Fresno (PCL). … Miguel Tejada returned to shortstop but Bochy says the veteran infielder will continue to see time at second base. … San Diego RHP Aaron Harang (right foot contusion) will come off the DL and start Saturday against the Dodgers. “The foot, in his words, is a non-issue,” manager Bud Black said. … Wilson handed out over 1,000 gloves to children in the Junior Giants program. The team is also selling limited edition Willie McCovey bobblehead dolls through Sunday as part of the Junior Giants Stretch Drive program.

Read More: Roy Halladay (P – PHI), Shane Victorino (CF – PHI), Antonio Bastardo (P – PHI), Wade LeBlanc (P – SDP), John Mayberry (LF – PHI), Ben Francisco (RF – PHI), Nick Hundley (C – SDP), Ryan Ludwick (LF – SDP), Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres

San Diego, CA (Sports Network) – Roy Halladay tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts and pitched into the ninth inning, as the Phillies eked out a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres to cap a four-game sweep at Petco Park.

Halladay (3-1) was pulled after Will Venable hit his 130th pitch into center field for a run-scoring single with two outs in the ninth. Antonio Bastardo entered from the bullpen to face pinch-hitter Nick Hundley, who flied out to right field on the first pitch he saw to end the game.

Shane Victorino raced around for an inside-the-park homer, while John Mayberry and Ben Francisco each knocked in a run behind Halladay, who gave up just five hits and a walk in the team’s fifth straight win.

“Nothing surprises me about him,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said about Halladay. “I expect him to pitch good.”

Wade LeBlanc (0-1), recalled from Triple-A Tucson prior to the game, lasted eight innings and yielded three runs on nine hits and four walks for the Padres, who have lost 11 straight home games to the Phillies.

Both pitchers posted goose eggs in the run column until the Phillies opened the sixth with four consecutive hits. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard each singled, and the former scored on Francisco’s base hit off the glove of a diving Ryan Ludwick in left.

Mayberry followed with a double to left for a 2-0 game, and though that was all the Phillies mustered that inning, they tacked on another run behind the speedy Victorino in the seventh.

The leadoff hitter poked a ball into right-center that Venable nearly caught with an out-stretched dive. But the ball hopped out of Venable’s glove as he hit the ground and caromed towards an unoccupied center field, and Victorino sped around the bases and slid in head first ahead of the relay throw.

“It was exciting. It’s something I’ll always remember,” said Victorino of his first career inside-the-parker.

Halladay struck out six straight at one point and was one inning away from his 20th career shutout. Cameron Maybin led off the ninth with a base hit to right and was erased on a fielder’s choice. Chase Headley brought the tying run to the plate with another single before Ludwick flied out to center.

Venable ended Halladay’s shutout bid with his hit, but Bastardo finished off the right-hander’s win with his first career save.

“[Halladay] was on today,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “We got to him, but it was a little too late.”

The Phillies outscored the Padres, 12-3, in the series, their first four-game sweep in San Diego since May 1979…LeBlanc’s outing was the longest of his career…The Padres optioned pitcher Pat Neshek to Tucson to make room for LeBlanc…Game time: 2:10.

Updated Apr 24, 2011 9:45 PM ET

SAN DIEGO (AP)

The only good news for the San Diego Padres on Sunday was that the Philadelphia Phillies left town.

Then again, the Atlanta Braves are coming in for a series starting Monday night, and they just had a three-game sweep of the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

Roy Halladay tied his career high with 14 strikeouts and the Phillies beat weak-hitting San Diego 3-1, coming within one out of their third shutout during a four-game sweep.

”Hopefully, this is our late August, early September of last year,” third baseman Chase Headley said. ”Hopefully we can get it out of the way early this year and put some good months together.”

The Padres were cruising atop the NL West late last August when they lost 10 straight games. They stumbled through September and were eliminated from playoff contention in a loss at San Francisco on the season’s final day.

Halladay (3-1) took a two-hitter into the ninth before allowing three singles, including Will Venable’s RBI base hit with two outs. Antonio Bastardo came on with runners on first and third and got pinch-hitter Nick Hundley to fly out to left on his first pitch, for his first save.

Shane Victorino hit an inside-the-park home run leading off the seventh inning when his drive into the gap in right-center came off Venable’s glove as his arm hit the ground while trying to make a diving catch. The ball rolled into center as Victorino rounded the bases and came in with a headfirst slide. It was the first of his career.

The Phillies have won a season-high five straight. They’ve won 11 straight at Petco Park, and 15 of 16, since the 2008 season.

Halladay was so dominant, mostly with his split-fingered fastball, that San Diego didn’t get a baserunner past first base until the ninth. He allowed only five singles while walking one. Halladay, who struck out at least 10 for the 12th time in his career, fanned six straight at one point. He struck out everyone in the lineup except pitcher Wade LeBlanc.

He retired 16 in a row until allowing two singles in the ninth.

Halladay also struck out 14 on June 2, 2009, against the Angels.

The Padres scored only three runs in the four games, on 22 hits. They struck out 39 times.

”I think everyone feels it a little bit,” Headley said. ”You definitely want to come through in situations where you have a chance to come through. We have enough guys who have been around the game and understand it’s part of the game. You have to keep going.”

The Phillies opened the sixth inning with four straight hits to score two runs before LeBlanc limited the damage. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard singled, Ben Francisco had an RBI single to left and John Mayberry Jr. an RBI double to left. After Carlos Ruiz was intentionally walked to load the bases, Francisco was forced at home and Halladay hit into an inning-ending double play.

”You always know who is on the mound on the other side, so you can’t afford to give up too many runs,” LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc (0-1), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Tucson to make the start, allowed three runs and nine hits in eight innings, walked four and struck out two.

NOTES: Victorino’s inside-the-park HR was the first for the Phillies since Chase Utley did it on July 9, 2009, against Cincinnati. It was the first against San Diego since Colorado’s Garrett Atkins on Sept. 23, 2007. That homer came about when left fielder Milton Bradley stepped on center fielder Mike Cameron’s right hand while the two pursued the ball. … The Padres made room for LeBlanc by optioning reliever Pat Neshek to Triple-A Tucson. Manager Bud Black said the Padres will likely need to make another move to bring a reliever back up.