(Reuters) – List of previous results in Major League Baseball’s World Series:

2010 – San Francisco Giants 4, Texas Rangers 1

2009 – New York Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

2008 – Philadelphia Phillies 4, Tampa Bay Rays 1

2007 – Boston Red Sox 4, Colorado Rockies 0

2006 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, Detroit Tigers 1

2005 – Chicago White Sox 4, Houston Astros 0

2004 – Boston Red Sox 4, St. Louis Cardinals 0

2003 – Florida Marlins 4, New York Yankees 2

2002 – Anaheim Angels 4, San Francisco Giants 3

2001 – Arizona Diamondbacks 4, New York Yankees 3

2000 – New York Yankees 4, New York Mets 1

1999 – New York Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 0

1998 – New York Yankees 4, San Diego Padres 0

1997 – Florida Marlins 4, Cleveland Indians 3

1996 – New York Yankees 4, Atlanta Braves 2

1995 – Atlanta Braves 4, Cleveland Indians 2

1994 – Not held

1993 – Toronto Blue Jays 4, Philadelphia Phillies 2

1992 – Toronto Blue Jays 4, Atlanta Braves 2

1991 – Minnesota Twins 4, Atlanta Braves 3

1990 – Cincinnati Reds 4, Oakland Athletics 0

1989 – Oakland Athletics 4, San Francisco Giants 0

1988 – Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Oakland Athletics 1

1987 – Minnesota Twins 4, St. Louis Cardinals 3

1986 – New York Mets 4, Boston Red Sox 3

1985 – Kansas City Royals 4, St. Louis Cardinals 3

1984 – Detroit Tigers 4, San Diego Padres 1

1983 – Baltimore Orioles 4, Philadelphia Phillies 1

1982 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, Milwaukee Brewers 3

1981 – Los Angeles Dodgers 4, New York Yankees 2

1980 – Philadelphia Phillies 4, Kansas City Royals 2

1979 – Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Baltimore Orioles 3

1978 – New York Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

1977 – New York Yankees 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

1976 – Cincinnati Reds 4, New York Yankees 0

1975 – Cincinnati Red 4, Boston Red Sox 3

1974 – Oakland Athletics 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 1

1973 – Oakland Athletics 4, New York Mets 3

1972 – Oakland Athletics 4, Cincinnati Reds 3

1971 – Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Baltimore Orioles 3

1970 – Baltimore Orioles 4, Cincinnati Reds 1

1969 – New York Mets 4, Baltimore Orioles 1

1968 – Detroit Tigers 4, St. Louis Cardinals 3

1967 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, Boston Red Sox 3

1966 – Baltimore Orioles 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 0

1965 – Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Minnesota Twins 3

1964 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, New York Yankees 3

1963 – Los Angeles Dodgers 4, New York Yankees 0

1962 – New York Yankees 4, San Francisco Giants 3

1961 – New York Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 1

1960 – Pittsburgh Pirates 4, New York Yankees 3

1959 – Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Chicago White Sox 2

1958 – New York Yankees 4, Milwaukee Braves 3

1957 – Milwaukee Braves 4, New York Yankees 3

1956 – New York Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

1955 – Brooklyn Dodgers 4, New York Yankees 3

1954 – New York Giants 4, Cleveland Indians 0

1953 – New York Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 2

1952 – New York Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

1951 – New York Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

1950 – New York Yankees 4, Philadelphia Phillies 0

1949 – New York Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1

1948 – Cleveland Indians 4, Boston Braves 2

1947 – New York Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 3

1946 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, Boston Red Sox 3

1945 – Detroit Tigers 4, Chicago Cubs 3

1944 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, St. Louis Browns 2

1943 – New York Yankees 4, St. Louis Cardinals 1

1942 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, New York Yankees 1

1941 – New York Yankees 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1

1940 – Cincinnati Reds 4, Detroit Tigers 3

1939 – New York Yankees 4, Cincinnati Reds 0

1938 – New York Yankees 4, Chicago Cubs 0

1937 – New York Yankees 4, New York Giants 1

1936 – New York Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

1935 – Detroit Tigers 4, Chicago Cubs 2

1934 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, Detroit Tigers 3

1933 – New York Giants 4, Washington Senators 1

1932 – New York Yankees 4, Chicago Cubs 0

1931 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, Philadelphia Athletics 3

1930 – Philadelphia Athletics 4, St. Louis Cardinals 2

1929 – Philadelphia Athletics 4, Chicago Cubs 1

1928 – New York Yankees 4, St. Louis Cardinals 0

1927 – New York Yankees 4, Pittsburgh Pirates 0

1926 – St. Louis Cardinals 4, New York Yankees 3

1925 – Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Washington Senators 3

1924 – Washington Senators 4, New York Giants 3

1923 – New York Yankees 4, New York Giants 2

1922 – New York Giants 4, New York Yankees 0 (one tie)

1921 – New York Giants 5, New York Yankees 3

1920 – Cleveland Indians 5, Brooklyn Robins 2

1919 – Cincinnati Reds 5, Chicago White Sox 3

1918 – Boston Red Sox 4, Chicago Cubs 2

1917 – Chicago White Sox 4, New York Giants 2

1916 – Boston Red Sox 4, Brooklyn Robins 1

1915 – Boston Red Sox 4, Philadelphia Phillies 1

1914 – Boston Braves 4, Philadelphia Athletics 0

1913 – Philadelphia Athletics 4, New York Giants 1

1912 – Boston Red Sox 4, New York Giants 3 (one tie)

1911 – Philadelphia Athletics 4, New York Giants 2

1910 – Philadelphia Athletics 4, Chicago Cubs 1

1909 – Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Detroit Tigers 3

1908 – Chicago Cubs 4, Detroit Tigers 1

1907 – Chicago Cubs 4, Detroit Tigers 0 (one tie)

1906 – Chicago White Sox 4, Chicago Cubs 2

1905 – New York Giants 4, Philadelphia Athletics 1

1904 – Not held

1903 – Boston Americans 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 3

(Compiled by Frank Pingue; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

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.

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).

San Francisco Giants’ Carlos Beltran hits a solo home run Wednesday off of San Diego Padres starting pitcher Mat Latos in San Francisco. It was Beltran’s 300th career home run and his second home run of the day. (Associated Press)

SAN FRANCISCO — Carlos Beltran hit two homers to give him 300 for his career and Tim Lincecum ended a three-start winless stretch as the San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Wednesday to complete a rare sweep in this rivalry.

Beltran homered in the first inning and again in the sixth with a splash hit into McCovey Cove to put the Giants ahead. It marked the slugger’s 30th career multihomer game, third this year and first since joining San Francisco in a trade from the Mets on July 28.

Lincecum (13-12) outdueled Mat Latos (7-14) for his first win since beating the Padres on Aug. 24.

The defending World Series champion Giants began the day trailing the first-place Diamondbacks by 8 1/2 games in the NL West. Arizona had a night game at Los Angeles.

San Francisco has its first four-game winning streak since July 9-15.

Lincecum allowed four hits and an unearned run while striking out six and walking two in seven innings as the Giants wrapped up their first winning home series in the last eight sets since taking two of three against Milwaukee from July 22-24. September call-up Hector Sanchez caught Lincecum for the first time.

After Dan Runzler walked pinch-hitter Chris Denorfia to start the eighth, Sergio Romo relieved and retired the side in order. He pumped his fist after striking out Cameron Maybin to end the inning. Santiago Casilla finished with a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save.

San Diego, which dropped its fourth straight

this season at AT&T Park and sixth in seven games, was swept in a series of three or more games against the Giants for the first time since Aug. 22-24, 2008. This was San Francisco’s first sweep this year since taking three in a row June 24-26 from Cleveland.

It was largely because of

Beltran.

The slugger’s shot into the water beyond the right-field arcade was the fourth by a Giants player this year, 59th by San Francisco overall and No. 83 in the history of the 12-year-old ballpark. Home run king Barry Bonds has 35 of them.

Beltran also homered over the elevated brick wall in right to tie the game in the first. He went 7 for 12 (.583) with a double, three homers and four RBIs in the series and is batting .520 (13 for 25) with four homers in seven games against San Diego this season.

The Padres had taken a

1-0 lead against Lincecum on Jesus Guzman’s two-out RBI double in the top half.

Latos was tagged for seven hits and three runs in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked one.

All-Star third baseman Pablo Sandoval provided a big defensive stop to end the third with Will Venable on third after he stole his 26th base. Sandoval lunged to his left to field Guzman’s sharp grounder, then fired to first just in time while throwing from one knee. He chuckled after doing it again on nearly an identical play on Maybin’s grounder in the sixth.

NOTES: San Diego is 4-17 in its stretch of 30 straight games against division foes. … Longtime Padres broadcaster and former New York Yankees 2B Jerry Coleman celebrated his 87th birthday. A retired Marine Lt. Col. and Bay Area native, Coleman worked the radio booth from the fourth through the sixth innings. … Giants rookie Brandon Belt will play five or six weeks of winter ball in the Dominican Republic to make up for time missed while he was injured this summer. Belt was sidelined after sustaining a hairline fracture in his left wrist when he was hit by a pitch from St. Louis’ Trever Miller in June. The team approached Belt last month about going to winter ball. … All-Star RHP Ryan Vogelsong (10-7) starts Thursday night for the Giants at Colorado while trying to end a five-start losing streak. … After an off day Thursday, RHP Tim Stauffer starts for the Padres on Friday, looking for his first career win against the Diamondbacks in his fifth start and 11th appearance. … Lincecum is 54-4 when the Giants score at least three runs for him. … Romo appeared in all three games in the series.

Ross also singled, doubled and scored three times to back a solid outing by rookie Eric Surkamp.

The setting was a lot different than a year ago at this time when these teams battled for the NL West title in a race that went down to the final day of the regular season.

The Giants still harbor slim postseason hopes this year — they began the night 8 1/2 games behind division-leading Arizona — while the Padres are just finishing out the string.

San Francisco, the majors’ lowest-scoring team since the All-Star break, put up eight runs for the second straight game. It’s the first time the Giants have done that in back-to-back games since the first two games of the 2010 World Series.

Most of the offense came from San Francisco’s big three of Beltran, Ross and Sandoval.

Beltran went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs, Ross added a pair of RBIs and Sandoval capped the night with a towering, three-run homer in the seventh.

It’s the first time the Giants have hit three home runs in a game at their waterfront ballpark since Sept. 30, 2010.

Surkamp (2-0) pitched 5 2-3 innings for his second major league victory — both coming against San Diego. The left-hander, who beat the Padres on Sept. 6, allowed seven hits and walked one.

That might be enough to keep the 24-year-old in the Giants’ rotation. Barry Zito, who has two years remaining on the $126 million deal he signed before the 2007 season, came off the disabled list Sunday but will most likely work out of the bullpen unless one of the other starters gets hurt.

One day after scoring eight runs in a win over the Dodgers — the most runs by the Giants in more than a month — the defending World Series champs matched it against the Padres.

Beltran provided early offense when he snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a two-run shot off Aaron Harang in the first. The ball easily cleared the wall in right field, bounced on the cement landing and fell into McCovey Cove.

It was Beltran’s 18th home run of the season and third since being traded from the Mets to San Francisco on July 28.

Ross homered leading off the third, then added an RBI single in the seventh. Sandoval put the game out of reach with his three-run drive off reliever Andrew Carpenter.

Harang (13-6), who was 4-0 in six previous starts against the Giants, left after the fifth. He allowed six hits and struck out four.

San Diego, which fell to 1-4 on its seven-game road trip, scored a run in the fourth with the help of Surkamp’s throwing error, then added two more in the sixth on four consecutive two-out singles to chase the San Francisco rookie.

Kyle Banks knocked in one run and Orlando Hudson singled in Chris Denorfia to cut the lead to 4-3.

San Diego put two runners on in the eighth but failed to score.

Sergio Romo, the fifth San Francisco pitcher, got Hudson to hit into an inning-ending double play, then retired the side in the ninth.

NOTES: Giants closer Brian Wilson threw 19 pitches while facing hitters for the first time since going on the disabled list three weeks ago. Wilson will rest the next two days before the team decides what his next step will be. … C Buster Posey (ankle) played catch before the game and will head to Arizona to start his next phase of rehab. … OF Will Venable also played catch during batting practice to test his shoulder and could return to San Diego’s lineup Tuesday. … Padres manager Bud Black hinted that prized prospect Anthony Rizzo could get into the starting lineup in the next few days. … Black said an ineffective slider is to blame for reliever Luke Gregerson’s dip in strikeouts this year. Gregerson set a major league record for holds in 2010 and averaged 10.2 strikeouts over nine innings but that number has dipped to 5.6 this year. … RHP Matt Cain, who lost to San Diego in his last outing despite giving up two runs in seven innings, pitches for San Francisco on Tuesday. Cain (11-10) has won only twice in his previous eight starts. … LHP Cory Luebke (5-9), who has dropped his last three starts, goes for the Padres.

Ross also singled, doubled and scored three times to back a solid outing by rookie Eric Surkamp.

The setting was a lot different than a year ago at this time when these teams battled for the NL West title in a race that went down to the final day of the regular season.

The Giants still harbor slim postseason hopes this year — they began the night 8 1/2 games behind division-leading Arizona — while the Padres are just finishing out the string.

San Francisco, the majors’ lowest-scoring team since the All-Star break, put up eight runs for the second straight game. It’s the first time the Giants have done that in back-to-back games since the first two games of the 2010 World Series.

Most of the offense came from San Francisco’s big three of Beltran, Ross and Sandoval.

Beltran went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs, Ross added a pair of RBIs and Sandoval capped the night with a towering, three-run homer in the seventh.

It’s the first time the Giants have hit three home runs in a game at their waterfront ballpark since Sept. 30, 2010.

Surkamp (2-0) pitched 5 2-3 innings for his second major league victory — both coming against San Diego. The left-hander, who beat the Padres on Sept. 6, allowed seven hits and walked one.

That might be enough to keep the 24-year-old in the Giants’ rotation. Barry Zito, who has two years remaining on the $126 million deal he signed before the 2007 season, came off the disabled list Sunday but will most likely work out of the bullpen unless one of the other starters gets hurt.

One day after scoring eight runs in a win over the Dodgers — the most runs by the Giants in more than a month — the defending World Series champs matched it against the Padres.

Beltran provided early offense when he snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a two-run shot off Aaron Harang in the first. The ball easily cleared the wall in right field, bounced on the cement landing and fell into McCovey Cove.

It was Beltran’s 18th home run of the season and third since being traded from the Mets to San Francisco on July 28.

Ross homered leading off the third, then added an RBI single in the seventh. Sandoval put the game out of reach with his three-run drive off reliever Andrew Carpenter.

Harang (13-6), who was 4-0 in six previous starts against the Giants, left after the fifth. He allowed six hits and struck out four.

San Diego, which fell to 1-4 on its seven-game road trip, scored a run in the fourth with the help of Surkamp’s throwing error, then added two more in the sixth on four consecutive two-out singles to chase the San Francisco rookie.

Kyle Banks knocked in one run and Orlando Hudson singled in Chris Denorfia to cut the lead to 4-3.

San Diego put two runners on in the eighth but failed to score.

Sergio Romo, the fifth San Francisco pitcher, got Hudson to hit into an inning-ending double play, then retired the side in the ninth.

NOTES: Giants closer Brian Wilson threw 19 pitches while facing hitters for the first time since going on the disabled list three weeks ago. Wilson will rest the next two days before the team decides what his next step will be. … C Buster Posey (ankle) played catch before the game and will head to Arizona to start his next phase of rehab. … OF Will Venable also played catch during batting practice to test his shoulder and could return to San Diego’s lineup Tuesday. … Padres manager Bud Black hinted that prized prospect Anthony Rizzo could get into the starting lineup in the next few days. … Black said an ineffective slider is to blame for reliever Luke Gregerson’s dip in strikeouts this year. Gregerson set a major league record for holds in 2010 and averaged 10.2 strikeouts over nine innings but that number has dipped to 5.6 this year. … RHP Matt Cain, who lost to San Diego in his last outing despite giving up two runs in seven innings, pitches for San Francisco on Tuesday. Cain (11-10) has won only twice in his previous eight starts. … LHP Cory Luebke (5-9), who has dropped his last three starts, goes for the Padres.

Ross, Carlos Beltran and Pablo Sandoval homered in a rare show of power at AT&T Park, and the Giants beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 on Monday night.

They still trail NL West-leading Arizona by 8½ games but the outlook is a lot more encouraging than it was a few days ago.

That’s why Ross wants San Francisco thinking big.

“Why not?” said Ross, who also singled, doubled and scored three times. “We’re not going to give in. We’re the defending champs and we’ve got something to prove. We’re going to play through and see what happens.”

Until recently, the Giants were only proving to be a big disappointment — at least offensively.

But one day after scoring eight runs in a win over the Dodgers — the most runs by San Francisco in more than a month — the Giants matched it against the Padres.

It’s the first time the Giants, the majors’ lowest-scoring team since the All-Star break, have done that in back-to-back games since the first two games of the 2010 World Series.

“It’s good to see the guys loosen up and swing the bats like we’re capable of,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re trying to finish up strong. We’re hanging by a thread, but it’s not over.”

The setting was a lot different than a year ago at this time when these teams battled for the division title in a race that went down to the final day of the regular season.

The Giants still harbor slim postseason hopes this year while the Padres are just finishing out the string.

Aaron Harang (13-6), who was 4-0 in six previous starts against the Giants, took the loss after allowing all three home runs. The burly right-hander remains three wins shy of his career high.

“I felt like I couldn’t get comfortable out there the first few innings,” Harang said. “Sometimes when you are hitting your spots in the bullpen it’s not necessarily a good thing when you get (in the game). I just couldn’t get into a good rhythm and it felt like I was off mechanically.”

Eric Surkamp (2-0) pitched 5 2-3 innings for his second major league victory — both coming against San Diego. The left-hander, who beat the Padres on Sept. 6, allowed seven hits and walked one.

That might be enough to keep the 24-year-old in the Giants’ rotation. Barry Zito, who has two years remaining on the $126 million deal he signed before the 2007 season, came off the disabled list Sunday but will most likely work out of the bullpen unless one of the other starters gets hurt.

Most of San Francisco’s offense came from the big three of Beltran, Ross and Sandoval.

Beltran went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs, Ross added a pair of RBIs and Sandoval capped the night with a towering, three-run homer in the seventh.

It’s the first time the Giants have hit three home runs in a game at their waterfront ballpark since Sept. 30, 2010.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Giants outfielder Cody Ross(notes) wants his teammates to
openly talk about making the playoffs, even if the defending World Series
champions still have a lot of ground to make up.

At least now San Francisco has an offense to back up Ross’ confidence.

Ross, Carlos Beltran(notes) and Pablo Sandoval(notes) homered in a rare show of power at
AT&T Park, and the Giants beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 on Monday night.

They still trail NL West-leading Arizona by 8 1/2 games but the outlook is a
lot more encouraging than it was a few days ago.

That’s why Ross wants San Francisco thinking big.

“Why not?” said Ross, who also singled, doubled and scored three times.
“We’re not going to give in. We’re the defending champs and we’ve got something
to prove. We’re going to play through and see what happens.”

Until recently, the Giants were only proving to be a big disappointment—at
least offensively.

But one day after scoring eight runs in a win over the Dodgers—the most
runs by San Francisco in more than a month—the Giants matched it against the
Padres.

It’s the first time the Giants, the majors’ lowest-scoring team since the
All-Star break, have done that in back-to-back games since the first two games
of the 2010 World Series.

“It’s good to see the guys loosen up and swing the bats like we’re capable
of,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re trying to finish up strong. We’re
hanging by a thread, but it’s not over.”

The setting was a lot different than a year ago at this time when these
teams battled for the division title in a race that went down to the final day
of the regular season.

The Giants still harbor slim postseason hopes this year while the Padres are
just finishing out the string.

Aaron Harang(notes) (13-6), who was 4-0 in six previous starts against the Giants,
took the loss after allowing all three home runs. The burly right-hander remains
three wins shy of his career high.

“I felt like I couldn’t get comfortable out there the first few innings,”
Harang said. “Sometimes when you are hitting your spots in the bullpen it’s not
necessarily a good thing when you get (in the game). I just couldn’t get into a
good rhythm and it felt like I was off mechanically.”

Eric Surkamp(notes) (2-0) pitched 5 2-3 innings for his second major league victory
— both coming against San Diego. The left-hander, who beat the Padres on Sept.
6, allowed seven hits and walked one.

That might be enough to keep the 24-year-old in the Giants’ rotation. Barry
Zito(notes), who has two years remaining on the $126 million deal he signed before the
2007 season, came off the disabled list Sunday but will most likely work out of
the bullpen unless one of the other starters gets hurt.

Most of San Francisco’s offense came from the big three of Beltran, Ross and
Sandoval.

Beltran went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs, Ross added a pair of RBIs and
Sandoval capped the night with a towering, three-run homer in the seventh.

It’s the first time the Giants have hit three home runs in a game at their
waterfront ballpark since Sept. 30, 2010.

“It’s nice to get back-to-back games like this from the offense,” Ross
said. “It’s been a lot looser in here the last five or six days. Everyone’s not
so uptight and tense and trying to hard. Maybe that is the key.”

Beltran provided some early offense when he snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a
two-run shot off Harang in the first. The ball easily cleared the wall in right
field, bounced on the cement landing and fell into McCovey Cove.

It was Beltran’s 18th home run of the season and third since being traded
from the Mets to San Francisco on July 28.

Ross homered leading off the third, then added an RBI single in the seventh.
Sandoval put the game out of reach with his three-run drive off reliever Andrew
Carpenter(notes).

Harang left after the fifth. He allowed six hits and struck out four.

San Diego, which fell to 1-4 on its seven-game road trip, scored a run in
the fourth with the help of Surkamp’s throwing error, then added two more in the
sixth on four consecutive two-out singles to chase the San Francisco rookie.

Kyle Banks knocked in one run and Orlando Hudson(notes) singled in Chris Denorfia(notes)
to cut the lead to 4-3.

San Diego put two runners on in the eighth but failed to score.

Sergio Romo(notes), the fifth San Francisco pitcher, got Hudson to hit into an
inning-ending double play, then retired the side in the ninth.

NOTES: Giants closer Brian Wilson(notes) threw 19 pitches while facing hitters for
the first time since going on the disabled list three weeks ago. Wilson will
rest the next two days before the team decides what his next step will be. … C
Buster Posey(notes) (ankle) played catch before the game and will head to Arizona to
start his next phase of rehab. … OF Will Venable(notes) also played catch during
batting practice to test his shoulder and could return to San Diego’s lineup
Tuesday. … Padres manager Bud Black hinted that prized prospect Anthony Rizzo(notes)
could get into the starting lineup in the next few days. … Black said an
ineffective slider is to blame for reliever Luke Gregerson’s(notes) dip in strikeouts
this year. Gregerson set a major league record for holds in 2010 and averaged
10.2 strikeouts over nine innings but that number has dipped to 5.6 this year.
… RHP Matt Cain(notes), who lost to San Diego in his last outing despite giving up
two runs in seven innings, pitches for San Francisco on Tuesday. Cain (11-10)
has won only twice in his previous eight starts. … LHP Cory Luebke(notes) (5-9), who
has dropped his last three starts, goes for the Padres.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Giants outfielder Cody Ross(notes) wants his teammates to
openly talk about making the playoffs, even if the defending World Series
champions still have a lot of ground to make up.

At least now San Francisco has an offense to back up Ross’ confidence.

Ross, Carlos Beltran(notes) and Pablo Sandoval(notes) homered in a rare show of power at
AT&T Park, and the Giants beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 on Monday night.

They still trail NL West-leading Arizona by 8 1/2 games but the outlook is a
lot more encouraging than it was a few days ago.

That’s why Ross wants San Francisco thinking big.

“Why not?” said Ross, who also singled, doubled and scored three times.
“We’re not going to give in. We’re the defending champs and we’ve got something
to prove. We’re going to play through and see what happens.”

Until recently, the Giants were only proving to be a big disappointment—at
least offensively.

But one day after scoring eight runs in a win over the Dodgers—the most
runs by San Francisco in more than a month—the Giants matched it against the
Padres.

It’s the first time the Giants, the majors’ lowest-scoring team since the
All-Star break, have done that in back-to-back games since the first two games
of the 2010 World Series.

“It’s good to see the guys loosen up and swing the bats like we’re capable
of,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re trying to finish up strong. We’re
hanging by a thread, but it’s not over.”

The setting was a lot different than a year ago at this time when these
teams battled for the division title in a race that went down to the final day
of the regular season.

The Giants still harbor slim postseason hopes this year while the Padres are
just finishing out the string.

Aaron Harang(notes) (13-6), who was 4-0 in six previous starts against the Giants,
took the loss after allowing all three home runs. The burly right-hander remains
three wins shy of his career high.

“I felt like I couldn’t get comfortable out there the first few innings,”
Harang said. “Sometimes when you are hitting your spots in the bullpen it’s not
necessarily a good thing when you get (in the game). I just couldn’t get into a
good rhythm and it felt like I was off mechanically.”

Eric Surkamp(notes) (2-0) pitched 5 2-3 innings for his second major league victory
— both coming against San Diego. The left-hander, who beat the Padres on Sept.
6, allowed seven hits and walked one.

That might be enough to keep the 24-year-old in the Giants’ rotation. Barry
Zito(notes), who has two years remaining on the $126 million deal he signed before the
2007 season, came off the disabled list Sunday but will most likely work out of
the bullpen unless one of the other starters gets hurt.

Most of San Francisco’s offense came from the big three of Beltran, Ross and
Sandoval.

Beltran went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs, Ross added a pair of RBIs and
Sandoval capped the night with a towering, three-run homer in the seventh.

It’s the first time the Giants have hit three home runs in a game at their
waterfront ballpark since Sept. 30, 2010.

“It’s nice to get back-to-back games like this from the offense,” Ross
said. “It’s been a lot looser in here the last five or six days. Everyone’s not
so uptight and tense and trying to hard. Maybe that is the key.”

Beltran provided some early offense when he snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a
two-run shot off Harang in the first. The ball easily cleared the wall in right
field, bounced on the cement landing and fell into McCovey Cove.

It was Beltran’s 18th home run of the season and third since being traded
from the Mets to San Francisco on July 28.

Ross homered leading off the third, then added an RBI single in the seventh.
Sandoval put the game out of reach with his three-run drive off reliever Andrew
Carpenter(notes).

Harang left after the fifth. He allowed six hits and struck out four.

San Diego, which fell to 1-4 on its seven-game road trip, scored a run in
the fourth with the help of Surkamp’s throwing error, then added two more in the
sixth on four consecutive two-out singles to chase the San Francisco rookie.

Kyle Banks knocked in one run and Orlando Hudson(notes) singled in Chris Denorfia(notes)
to cut the lead to 4-3.

San Diego put two runners on in the eighth but failed to score.

Sergio Romo(notes), the fifth San Francisco pitcher, got Hudson to hit into an
inning-ending double play, then retired the side in the ninth.

NOTES: Giants closer Brian Wilson(notes) threw 19 pitches while facing hitters for
the first time since going on the disabled list three weeks ago. Wilson will
rest the next two days before the team decides what his next step will be. … C
Buster Posey(notes) (ankle) played catch before the game and will head to Arizona to
start his next phase of rehab. … OF Will Venable(notes) also played catch during
batting practice to test his shoulder and could return to San Diego’s lineup
Tuesday. … Padres manager Bud Black hinted that prized prospect Anthony Rizzo(notes)
could get into the starting lineup in the next few days. … Black said an
ineffective slider is to blame for reliever Luke Gregerson’s(notes) dip in strikeouts
this year. Gregerson set a major league record for holds in 2010 and averaged
10.2 strikeouts over nine innings but that number has dipped to 5.6 this year.
… RHP Matt Cain(notes), who lost to San Diego in his last outing despite giving up
two runs in seven innings, pitches for San Francisco on Tuesday. Cain (11-10)
has won only twice in his previous eight starts. … LHP Cory Luebke(notes) (5-9), who
has dropped his last three starts, goes for the Padres.

“He’s got a very high percentage, one of the highest in the game over the last three years,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “It happens to the best of them.”

The Padres have lost 16 of 19 overall. At Chase Field, they’ve dropped 20 of 24.

“We do play hard,” Black said. “We go at it every night. I am extremely proud of the effort each and every night. The last couple of weeks have been tough. They just haven’t resulted in wins. As long as we keep fighting some things will go our way.”

Arizona’s ninth-inning uprising came seconds after the big screen showed Luis Gonzalez’s ninth-inning bloop single against Mariano Rivera that gave Arizona its World Series triumph and the state’s only major professional sports championship a decade ago. That team was honored in a pre-game ceremony, a group that included Overbay, a Diamondbacks rookie in 2001.

“Tonight was the perfect night to play the game that we played,” Young said. “You know, sold-out crowd, just all the energy from the 2001 championship team being here, it was amazing.”

The Diamondbacks stretched their franchise-record home winning streak to 15 games — the longest in the majors this season. They have won 16 of 19 overall.

It was the 42nd come-from-behind victory for the Diamondbacks, who widened their NL West lead over second-place San Francisco 9½ games after the Giants lost at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Milwaukee also lost, so Arizona moved a half-game ahead of the NL Central-leading Brewers for a possible home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

“To be able to hit two home runs of Heath Bell, has that ever happened in the ninth inning?” Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson asked. “We were very fortunate to come back on a guy that’s so good, who has had so much success, yet we did it.”

The Padres protested the game because on the game-winning, bases-loaded walk Miguel Montero, who was on second, did not touch third base. However, crew chief Tim Welke said that the applicable rule requires only that the batter who walked touch first and the runner on third touch home.

“We think that all runners have to touch each base,” Black said, “so we filed a protest and it is in the hands of MLB at this point.”

James Darnell had three RBIs, including his first big league home run for the Padres.

“It was a great moment but I wish I could have dome more to help the team win. maybe get a couple of more hits or do something else,” he said. “You always want to win the ball game but for me personally, it was a great moment.”

Tonight’s pitching matchup: Diamondbacks RHP Ian Kennedy (18-4, 2.96 ERA) vs. Padres LHP Cory Luebke (5-8, 3.29).

Kennedy turned in another good performance in a big game for the Diamondbacks, beating the Giants and Tim Lincecum with seven strong innings on Saturday night. Kennedy gave up just one run on five hits and two walks. … Kennedy’s 1.12 WHIP ranks eighth in the league and sixth in innings pitched (194 1/3 innings). … He has faced the Padres six times in his career, posting a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings with 48 strikeouts and only eight walks. … Luebke faced the Diamondbacks on Aug. 28, giving up three runs in 5 1/3 innings and followed that up by giving up five runs in 4 1/3 innings vs. Colorado. … Lefties have hit just .168 with a .447 OPS against him this season. Righties have managed a .228 average and .669 OPS.

Post your comments on our message board below.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Last season, the San Diego Padres were battling for the NL West title before losing out on the last day of the regular season to the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

One year later, the last-place Padres have to be content with spoiling the Giants’ fading playoff hopes.

Aaron Harang threw seven strong innings and Cameron Maybin had two hits and an RBI as San Diego avoided a three-game sweep 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 Diego (62-81) came in trailing the Diamondbacks by 20 games.

“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. “We can make it tough on guys who come in here or if we are on the road, just not lay down.”

The intensity certainly showed on Maybin’s sensational face-first catch against the fence in left-center field on the first batter of the game.

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

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 a second clutch defensive play from Venable.

Maybin made a long running catch while crashing into the wall 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.

“He’s pitching to the score so often,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “You could tell this was going to be a low scoring game and Aaron sensed it and pitched to it.”

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. … Black said after the game that INF Logan Forsythe 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 (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).