CBSSports.com wire reports
July 23, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Now that he has the bat flip down, Michael Martinez needs to work on bunting.

Martinez hit a tiebreaking three-run homer after twice failing to sacrifice, Chase Utley connected twice and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres for the ninth straight time, 8-6 on Saturday.

Pinch-hitter Ryan Howard also went deep, hitting a tying solo shot off Chad Qualls that ignited a five-run seventh. Michael Stutes (5-1) allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings in relief of Kyle Kendrick, and Ryan Madson finished for his 17th save in 18 chances.

“It was huge,” manager Charlie Manuel said of Martinez’s homer. “But at the same time, playing small ball …”

Manuel didn’t complete the thought, though he added Martinez “also has to bunt.”

Martinez doesn’t get much of a chance to speak to reporters, so he didn’t stick around long after the game to talk about his long ball.

Cameron Maybin and Chase Headley hit homers for the Padres, who haven’t beaten the Phillies since last June 7. They were swept by Philadelphia in a four-game series in San Diego in April.

Qualls (4-5) had allowed just one homer this season in 48 1/3 innings before the Phillies hit three. He gave up five runs and four hits while retiring just one batter.

“The killer was the homer to Martinez,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “It was a slider that hung.”

Padres starter Mat Latos pitched well except for one mistake to Utley. He allowed three runs and five hits in six innings, striking out seven.

Maybin’s RBI single in the seventh off Stutes put the Padres up 4-3. Logan Forsythe led off with a triple high off the scoreboard fence in right. Stutes struck out Rob Johnson and retired pinch-hitter Jesus Guzman on a popup. But Maybin hit a hard one-hopper off diving shortstop Jimmy Rollins’ glove to knock in the go-ahead run.

Howard then hit the first pitch from Qualls into the seats in left-center to tie it at 4. Pinch-hitter Ross Gload followed with a double down the right-field line. After Rollins walked, Martinez fouled off two bunt attempts. The runners moved up on a wild pitch, so Martinez got the green light to swing away.

He ripped a drive into the seats in right for his second career homer — his first was a three-run shot last Sunday at the New York Mets — to give the Phillies a 7-4 lead. Martinez, a Rule 5 pickup, has filled in nicely for injured All-Star third baseman Placido Polanco. He’s batting .294 (15 for 51) with 15 RBI in his last 13 games.

“He’s hot right now, he’s getting big hits and getting the chance to play,” Manuel said. “Hope he continues hitting like that.”

Utley chased Qualls with a solo homer that made it 8-4. It was his 19th career multihomer game, and first this season.

“That’s key that Chase has been swinging the bat well,” Howard said.

Antonio Bastardo allowed a run in the eighth and left with the bases loaded and two outs. David Herndon came in and walked pinch-hitter Alberto Gonzalez to force in a run that got the Padres within 8-6. But he retired Maybin on a bouncer to the mound to end the inning. Bastardo, who is 7 for 7 in save chances, entered with a 0.99 ERA and left at 1.46.

Kendrick was cruising with a two-hitter through five before running into trouble. Latos helped himself with a single to start the sixth. Maybin hit the next pitch just inside the foul pole in left to cut it to 3-2. One out later, Headley tied it with a drive into the left-field seats. Kendrick couldn’t get out of the inning after giving up a two-out single to Kyle Blanks. He allowed three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

“It’s frustrating to be one out away from a quality start, but all that matters is we won,” Kendrick said.

It was 100 degrees when the game started and it showed in the stands. Despite the 187th straight sellout, including postseason play, at Citizens Bank Park, there were plenty of empty seats in the upper levels.

Manuel rested Howard, so he switched his lineup up a bit. Shane Victorino batted third for just the second time all year and Utley hit cleanup for the first time. It paid off right away in the first inning.

Rollins led off with a double and Victorino walked with one out. Utley then ripped an opposite-field shot just over the flower bed beyond the left-field wall to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.

Notes

• Padres RF Will Venable was scratched from the lineup because of sore hamstrings.
• Howard wasn’t in the starting lineup for just the third time this season. He was 2 for 25 since the All-Star break before hitting his sixth career pinch-hit homer.
• Maybin has a nine-game hitting streak and he’s stolen a base in five straight. Only Dave Roberts (2006) and Alan Wiggins (1983) stole bases in that many consecutive games for the Padres.
• Forsythe’s triple was his first in the majors.
• A Padres pitcher allowed three homers in an inning for the first time since reliever Brian Sweeney did it on July 26, 2006, in the eighth inning at San Francisco in a 9-3 loss.

MIAMI (AP)—San Diego Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson(notes) made a quick
recovery Thursday from a collision with a wall that knocked him unconscious.

Hudson left the field strapped to a stretcher on a cart with his neck in a
brace. But shortly after a 5-3 win over Florida, he was walking through the
clubhouse texting on his phone.

Hudson went to a hospital for precautionary tests. He was expected to be
fine and was likely to rejoin the Padres in Philadelphia on Friday, a team
spokesman said.

That news brought a sigh of relief.

“It was a scary moment,” manager Bud Black said. “When a guy goes
unconscious, you’re worried. Any sort of collision with a wall or a teammate is
just a sickening feeling in your stomach, and I think we all had that.”

After Hudson leaned forward to make a running catch of a popup in foul
territory, his momentum took him into the padded wall. He turned away from the
wall just before hitting it, so the back of his head and right shoulder took the
brunt of the impact.

Hudson fell onto his back with the ball in his glove. Umpire Tim Timmons
signaled the batter out, then began waving for help.

Hudson didn’t move as teammates and the Padres trainer rushed to his aid.

“You think about his health and his family,” outfielder Will Venable(notes) said.
“It’s kind of hard to concentrate on baseball there for a little while.”

The game was delayed for nearly 10 minutes while Hudson received treatment
on the field and regained consciousness. Eventually he moved his arms, spoke and
shook at least one teammate’s hand before being driven to the clubhouse.

The catch ended a Florida threat in the seventh with the Padres nursing a
two-run lead.

“An outstanding play considering the circumstance,” Black said.

MIAMI (AP)—San Diego Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson(notes) made a quick
recovery Thursday from a collision with a wall that knocked him unconscious.

Hudson left the field strapped to a stretcher on a cart with his neck in a
brace. But shortly after a 5-3 win over Florida, he was walking through the
clubhouse texting on his phone.

Hudson went to a hospital for precautionary tests. He was expected to be
fine and was likely to rejoin the Padres in Philadelphia on Friday, a team
spokesman said.

That news brought a sigh of relief.

“It was a scary moment,” manager Bud Black said. “When a guy goes
unconscious, you’re worried. Any sort of collision with a wall or a teammate is
just a sickening feeling in your stomach, and I think we all had that.”

After Hudson leaned forward to make a running catch of a popup in foul
territory, his momentum took him into the padded wall. He turned away from the
wall just before hitting it, so the back of his head and right shoulder took the
brunt of the impact.

Hudson fell onto his back with the ball in his glove. Umpire Tim Timmons
signaled the batter out, then began waving for help.

Hudson didn’t move as teammates and the Padres trainer rushed to his aid.

“You think about his health and his family,” outfielder Will Venable(notes) said.
“It’s kind of hard to concentrate on baseball there for a little while.”

The game was delayed for nearly 10 minutes while Hudson received treatment
on the field and regained consciousness. Eventually he moved his arms, spoke and
shook at least one teammate’s hand before being driven to the clubhouse.

The catch ended a Florida threat in the seventh with the Padres nursing a
two-run lead.

“An outstanding play considering the circumstance,” Black said.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers got their first hit with two outs in the ninth inning and still beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 when Dioner Navarro singled in Juan Uribe for the unlikely victory.

Uribe was down to his last strike when he drove a pitch from Luke Gregerson (2-2) over the head of left fielder Chris Denorfia for Los Angeles’ first hit and only the second hit of the game for either team. The Padres have never had a no-hitter in their 43-year history.

Navarro then looped a 3-1 pitch into short right-center to give the Dodgers three consecutive shutout victories for the first time since July 1991. Los Angeles has won nine of its last 19 games, and seven of those victories have been shutouts — including the last five.

Aaron Harang started for San Diego and worked six innings, finishing with six strikeouts and three walks. Josh Spence came on and struck out his only batter, Andre Ethier, before Chad Qualls escaped a jam to keep the game scoreless.

Blake Hawksworth (2-2) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.

At Philadelphia, Alex Gonzalez hit an RBI single and Brian McCann added a two-run homer in the 11th to lift the Atlanta Braves over the Philadelphia Phillies.

It was the second straight extra-inning game for the teams, following Philadelphia’s 3-2 victory in 10 innings Friday.

The Braves (54-37) have won 10 of 12, and closed the Phillies’ lead in the NL East to 2½ games. Philadelphia (56-34) remains one win shy of tying the club record for victories in the first half.

Philadelphia starter Cliff Lee accounted for the Phillies’ only run with his first career homer off Tommy Hanson, but both pitchers were gone by the time this one ended.

Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske led off the 11th for the Braves with a walk off Michael Stutes (3-1), and pinch-runner Wilkin Ramirez went to second on Jordan Schafer’s sacrifice. First baseman Ryan Howard could have gotten the second out, but failed to make a tough over-the-shoulder catch of Gonzalez’s foul pop fly. Two pitches later, Gonzalez lined a single to center, scoring Ramirez and putting the Braves ahead 2-1.

George Sherrill (2-1) worked out of a bases loaded jam in the 10th to earn the victory. Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 11th for his 28th save.

At Pittsburgh, Ryan Dempster won for the first time in five starts as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Dempster (6-6) was pitching on nine days’ rest after being scratched from his scheduled start Monday because of back pain.

He allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks in five innings and was seen throwing equipment and arguing vehemently with manager Mike Quade when he was pinch-hit to lead off the sixth.

Starlin Castro went 3 for 5 with a run and an RBI for the Cubs, who have won two of three.

A night after blowing his sixth save, Carlos Marmol pitched the ninth for his 19th save of the season.

At Washington, Ubaldo Jimenez allowed one run in eight innings and Todd Helton homered, doubled and drove in both runs as the Colorado Rockies beat the Washington Nationals.

Jimenez (4-8) retired the first 13 batters before Michael Morse singled with one out in the fifth inning. The right-hander struck out eight, allowed five hits and walked one. It was the third time this season Jimenez pitched at least eight innings, all coming on the road.

Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 26th save, giving up two singles. Jayson Werth grounded into a double play with runners on the corners to end the game.

Nationals starter Jason Marquis (7-4) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, walking four and striking out one.

At Miami, Ricky Nolasco tossed a seven-hitter for his sixth career complete game, Logan Morrison hit a bases-loaded triple in Florida’s four-run fifth inning as the Marlins beat the Houston Astros.

John Buck added a solo homer for the Marlins, who tied a season high with their fourth consecutive victory. Morrison finished with three hits, and Nolasco (6-5) struck out eight and walked one in his second complete game of the season.

Houston has lost eight of nine. Brett Myers (3-9) allowed six runs, five earned, and four hits in 4 1-3 innings, dropping to 0-5 with an 8.17 ERA in his last seven starts against Florida.

At Milwaukee, Jay Bruce hit a solo homer to start the 10th inning and Cincinnati exploded for five runs to beat the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Reds, who also got a home run from Ramon Hernandez early, had lost six of their previous eight to fall a season-worst two games under .500 and appeared to be in trouble several times in this one.

But Bruce hit a towering homer off Marco Estrada (2-6) to right field, his 21st this season, and the Reds added four insurance runs in the inning by sending 10 men to the plate.

Bill Bray (2-1) earned the win.

At St Louis, Albert Pujols tied it in the eighth inning and rookie pinch-hitter Tony Cruz hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth, capping the St. Louis Cardinals’ comeback from a four-run deficit in a victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Pujols’ 18th homer, and first in five games back from a broken left wrist, was a two-run shot off Yhency Brazoban that tied it at 6. Pujols was 3 for 4 with a walk and three RBIs.

Cruz’s first hit in six pinch-hit at-bats came off Joe Paterson (0-3), who gave up two hits and a walk. It’s the biggest comeback of the season for the Cardinals, who lost three of their first four with Pujols and dropped out of the NL Central lead.

Fernando Salas (5-2) worked a scoreless ninth with one strikeout for the win.

At San Francisco, Tim Lincecum labored through six innings to win for the second time in his past eight starts and Pablo Sandoval had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 20 games as the San Francisco Giants beat the New York Mets.

Nate Schierholtz and Aubrey Huff drove in runs in the first inning off Chris Capuano (8-8) to help assure that the World Series champion Giants would go into the All-Star break in sole possession of first place in the NL West for the first time since 2003. San Francisco has a two-game lead over Arizona with one game left before the break.

The win also assures that Lincecum (7-7) will head to the All-Star game without a losing record.

By Kris Willis

– College Hoops Editor

Follow , and

Like SB Nation Atlanta on Facebook.

May 30, 2011 – Atlanta opens up a three game set with the visiting San Diego Padres at 1:05 p.m. on Memorial Day. The Braves (30-24) are 3.5 games back of the first place Philadelphia Phillies and 1.5 back of second place Florida. After dropping the opener against Cincinnati, Atlanta rallied to win the final two games of the series. The Braves are 5-5 in their last ten games.

San Diego (22-31) is dead last in the National League West, seven games behind first place Arizona. The Padres took two out of three from Washington over the weekend and have won three of their last four games. The Braves took two of three from the Padres in late April in San Diego. 

Pitching Match-ups

Monday – 1:05 p.m.

Tim Hudson (4-4, 3.95 ERA)

Vs. 

Aaron Harang (5-2, 3.96 ERA)

Tuesday – 7:10 p.m.

Mike Minor (0-1, 5.40 ERA)

Vs.

Mat Latos (2-6, 4.08 ERA)

Wednesday – 7:10 p.m. 

Tommy Hanson (5-4, 2.80 ERA)

Vs. 

Clayton Richard (2-5, 4.42 ERA)

Read More: Aaron Harang (P – SDP), Tim Hudson (P – ATL), Clayton Richard (P – SDP), Mat Latos (P – SDP), Tommy Hanson (P – ATL), Mike Minor (P – ATL), San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves

(Sports Network) – One team mired in a five-game losing skid faces another
barely beyond such a slide tonight when the Washington Nationals host the San
Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game weekend series at Nationals Park.

The hosts dropped their season-high fifth straight game on Wednesday in
Milwaukee, when Prince Fielder drove in four runs to support a solid outing
from Zack Greinke, as the Brewers beat the Nationals, 6-4, in the finale of a
three-game set at Miller Park.

Jason Marquis (5-2) absorbed the loss after allowing four runs, five hits and
four walks in six frames for Washington.

The losing run has dropped the Nationals to last place in the National League
East Division, 9 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.

Washington starter John Lannan has dropped four straight decisions in six
starts since his last victory, which came April 20 at St. Louis, and will take
the mound tonight in DC.

The Nationals are 2-4 in the New York native’s last six outings and 5-5 in his
10 overall starts.

Lannan tossed six innings and allowed nine hits and six runs in an 8-3
interleague loss at Baltimore on May 21, the fifth time he’s lasted at least
six innings in a 2011 start. He has faced the Padres five times in his career,
winning once while surrendering 27 hits and 10 earned runs in 33 innings.

San Diego had dropped five straight games before halting the drought on
Wednesday, when a stellar outing from Mat Latos and a two-run eighth inning
allowed the Padres to avoid a sweep with a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis
Cardinals in the finale of a three-game set from Petco Park.

Latos (2-6), who had dropped his last six home decisions, allowed just one run
and six hits, while striking out seven over eight innings.

Chase Headley and Ryan Ludwick supplied two-out RBI hits in the eighth to
break a 1-1 tie.

Heath Bell retired Skip Schumaker, Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman in order to
earn his 10th save of the season.

The Padres are 20-30 overall and last in the NL West, trailing first-place San
Francisco by 7 1/2 games.

Lefty Clayton Richard had lost four straight starts before a May 16 defeat of
Arizona in which he allowed five hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings.

One start since dropped the former eighth-round pick (2005) to 2-5 on the
season, a 4-0 loss to Seattle in which he gave up seven hits and three runs in
five innings.

A 14-game winner in 33 starts with the Padres in 2010, Richard opened this
year with an 11-3 defeat of St. Louis, then got three straight no-decisions
before the four-game tailspin began April 22 against the Phillies.

He is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA in 19 2/3 innings over three career starts against
the Nationals.

The Padres and Nationals split six meetings a season ago.

The Sports Network

Daniel Hudson hasn’t pitched poorly this season; he just hasn’t always been lucky. Perhaps that’s starting to change.

---

D-Backs vs. Padres series photos | Box

---

The young right-hander won for the fourth time in his past five starts Tuesday, overcoming a rocky first inning to help lift the Diamondbacks to a 6-1 win over the San Diego Padres in front of 16,365 at Chase Field. The win vaulted Arizona past San Diego and out of last place in the National League West.

“He was pretty good in his first two starts of the season; it’s just unfortunately we didn’t score enough runs for him,” Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero said.

In April, Hudson, acquired last season in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, went 1-4 with a 5.64 ERA. In five starts in May, he is 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA.

“Confidence,” said Hudson, explaining the difference between the two stretches. “Just knowing that I can get these guys out. I had confidence early on this season, but I just wasn’t getting the results, getting a little unlucky. But when that was going on, I knew it was going to even out in the end.”

Hudson wasn’t sharp Tuesday night against the Padres, but he was effective. The Padres jumped on his fastball early in the game, jumping to a 1-0 lead in the first, forcing Hudson to go to his secondary pitches. He never retired the side in order, but he never gave the Padres much of a chance to rally, either.

“I don’t think he had the greatest command; I don’t think his breaking ball was as good as it’s been, but they went after his first pitches all the time,” Montero said.

“So we started mixing it up, and he kept himself in the game. He was a little frustrated early, but he’s a competitor and when you compete, a lot of things can happen.”

Said Hudson: “They put some good swings on a couple pitches. I got a little frustrated there for a little while, but I just told myself to settle down and get through it.”

Hudson improved to 4-5, lowering his ERA to 4.03. He had help.

A night after making a fielding mistake, Gerardo Parra was productive with both the bat and glove. His two-run single in the sixth inning gave the Diamondbacks a 4-1 lead. In the field, Parra made a couple of nice, running catches that helped his pitcher. He finished with two hits and two RBIs.

Montero and Justin Upton also added two hits apiece for the Diamondbacks, who belted 11 as a team against three San Diego pitchers, including losing right-hander Tim Stauffer.

The Padres were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position; the Diamondbacks were 5 for 15.

“We had several good at-bats,” said manager Kirk Gibson, listing contributions from Ryan Roberts, Stephen Drew and Parra. “We worked (on it Monday), we worked (before Tuesday’s game), and we’re going to continue to do that. We were much better with guys in scoring position, but we’re looking to be consistent.”

Rewind

Galarraga designated: After Tuesday’s game, the Diamondbacks designated struggling right-hander Armando Galarraga for assignment.

In eight starts, Galarraga was 3-4 with a 5.91 ERA. On Monday, he pitched five innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) and eight hits in an 8-4 loss to San Diego. After the game, Galarraga lost his cool with a reporter who asked about his spot in the rotation.

“For him, it was just the location of his fastball . . . a lot of his balls were running back over the plate.” Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers told reporters. “Not to say he can’t get it back again, but it was kind of a breaking point for us. We just felt it was time to make a change there.”

The Diamondbacks likely will activate utilityman Willie Bloomquist off the disabled list. They have 10 days to trade, outright or release Galarraga.

Galarraga was scheduled to pitch Saturday. Towers said the club is considering its options for a replacement.

On appeal: With the score knotted at 1, the Diamondbacks caught a break in the second inning. After Eric Patterson led off with a triple, San Diego catcher Rob Johnson lined out to right field.

Arizona’s Justin Upton made the catch. Patterson tagged and slid home safely ahead of Upton’s throw. In Arizona’s dugout, bench coach Alan Trammell told manager Kirk Gibson that Patterson left third early.

The Diamondbacks appealed, and third-base umpire Joe West called Patterson out, even though replays suggested Patterson tagged at the appropriate time.

“We watch that on just about (every play),” Gibson said.

View from the press box

It was a little strange leaving the Bob Melvin re-introduction news conference and walking onto the elevator with the guy who two years ago replaced him as manager. A.J. Hinch was at Chase Field as the Padres’ vice president of professional scouting. According to a recent story on MLB.com, Hinch is off to a good start. “He’s taken ownership of that department,” San Diego General Manager Jed Hoyer said. “I told him we need to expand this department. He’s really going to change the direction of that department. It will only improve.”

Up next

Atlanta Braves

Update: The Braves won their fourth in a row Tuesday, 3-1 over Houston. They enter a two-game series at Chase Field at 25-19, two games behind Philadelphia in the NL East. Chipper Jones has a small meniscus tear in his right knee but played Tuesday. Jason Heyward also returned after missing six games because of right-shoulder inflammation. Outfielder Martin Prado is hitting .296 with six home runs and 27 RBIs. He has hit in 19 of his past 20 games. Atlanta sports an NL-best 2.94 ERA. Opponents are hitting .218 against Braves pitching.

SAN DIEGO — It wasn’t until his 130th and final pitch that the struggling San Diego Padres finally got to Roy Halladay.

Even so, Will Venable’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday merely denied the Philadelphia Phillies and their sensational pitching staff a third shutout during the course of a four-game sweep.

Halladay tied his career high with 14 strikeouts and the Phillies beat the Padres 3-1 for their fifth straight win.

Halladay (3-1) took a two-hitter into the ninth before allowing three singles, including Venable’s run-scoring base hit. 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.

“I felt good,” Halladay said. “Even at the end I felt good. It was one of those days where, especially through the middle innings, there weren’t a lot of high-stress pitches, and I think that plays a part into it, especially being able to throw more pitches. If you’re doing it with the bases loaded every inning, it takes a different toll.”

Halladay’s 130 pitches were the most in the majors this year.

Halladay was so dominant, mostly with his changeup and curveball, 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.

Dodgers 7, Cubs 3

In Chicago, Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 21 games with an RBI single in a five-run first inning as Los Angeles won its fourth in five games.

Hiroki Kuroda (3-2) gave up three hits and two runs in the first, then scattered six hits over the rest of his 6? innings. Overall he allowed three runs — two earned — struck out seven and walked none.

Kosuke Fukudome finished 2-for-5 for the Cubs.

Braves 9, Giants 6 (10)

In San Francisco, Nate McLouth hit a two-run single off Brian Wilson with two outs in the 10th inning as Atlanta earned a win over San Francisco.

Brewers 4, Astros 1

In Milwaukee, Randy Wolf allowed four hits over eight sharp innings in the Brewers’ win.

Nationals 6, Pirates 3

In Pittsburgh, Mike Morse scored a three-run homer among his three-hits to help Washington beat Pittsburgh.

Marlins 6, Rockies 3

In Miami, Mike Stanton hit a tiebreaking three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning as Florida beat Colorado.

Mets 8, Diamondbacks 4

In New York, David Wright homered twice and Jason Pridie hit the first home run of his career in the Mets’ win over Arizona.

Reliever Ryota Igarashi faced the game’s final three batters and recorded one strikeout.

Cardinals 3, Reds 0

In St. Louis, Jake Westbrook recovered from only three days rest to throw six innings and Yadier Molina hit a three-run homer in the sixth off a tiring Edinson Volquez (2-1) in the Cardinals’ victory.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 7, Angels 0

In Anaheim, John Lackey threw eight superb innings, Carl Crawford hit his first home run in a Boston uniform and the Red Sox completed a pitching-dominated four-game sweep.

Rays 2, Blue Jays 0

In Toronto, James Shields pitched a four-hitter for his second consecutive complete game.

Yankees 6, Orioles 3 (11)

In Baltimore, Russell Martin singled home the tie-breaking run in the 11th inning after Mariano Rivera gave up the lead in the ninth.

Tigers 3, White Sox 0

In Detroit, Max Scherzer allowed four hits in eight outstanding innings, and the Tigers beat Chicago to finish a three-game sweep.

Rangers 8, Royals 7

In Arlington, Texas, C.J. Wilson struck out 10 in seven innings and Adrian Beltre hit one of the Rangers’ three home runs in their win over the Royals.

Twins 4, Indians 3

In Minneapolis, Jason Kubel had a two-run double in the seventh inning that lifted the Twins over the Indians.

Athletics 5, Mariners 2

In Seattle, Coco Crisp had three hits, scored three runs and stole a base, and Brett Anderson was solid on the mound.

Oakland designated hitter Hideki Matsui drove in a run and was 1-for-3 at the plate with a pair of walks.

Ichiro Suzuki finished 2-for-5 with a run scored for Seattle.

The San Diego Padres optioned former Twins pitcher and Park Center High School graduate Pat Neshek to Class AAA Tucson to make room on their roster for left-hander Wade LeBlanc, who was recalled from Tucson to start Sunday against Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Neshek, who was claimed off waivers from the Twins on March 20, was 1-0 with a 2.25 earned-run average in eight appearances with the Padres.

Greinke makes rehab start: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up three hits and two runs with a walk and a two strikeouts, in a rehabilitation start at Class AAA Nashville.

The right-hander started the season on the disabled list for his new team because of a broken rib.

“In the first inning my control was a lot better than later on,” said Greinke, who got the first four batters he faced to ground out and then struck out two in the second inning.

“The off-speed wasn’t great, but I was locating, and my fastball was crisp. I just lost a little bit in the third inning and late in the second inning.”

In the third inning, he gave up two runs on back-to-back triples and a sacrifice fly.

Greinke threw 54 pitches and said he would need at least one more minor league start before joining the Brewers, who acquired the former Cy Young winner from the Kansas City Royals in December.

Phillies place closer on DL: The Phillies placed closer Jose Contreras on the disabled list because of a strained right

elbow.

The move is retroactive to Friday. Contreras has five saves.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Contreras, 39, would return to Philadelphia today to be seen by a team doctor.

Ryan Madson will move into the closer’s role. To take Contreras’ spot on the roster, the Phillies were to purchase the contract of Michael Stutes from Lehigh Valley.

Ethier’s streak alive: Andre Ethier extended his league-leading hitting streak to 21 games with a single in a five-run first inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 for their fourth win in five games.

SAN DIEGO — It wasn’t until his 130th and final pitch that the struggling San Diego Padres finally got to Roy Halladay.

Even so, Will Venable’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday merely denied the Philadelphia Phillies and their sensational pitching staff a third shutout during the course of a four-game sweep.

Halladay tied his career high with 14 strikeouts and the Phillies beat the Padres 3-1 for their fifth straight win.

Halladay (3-1) took a two-hitter into the ninth before allowing three singles, including Venable’s run-scoring base hit. 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.

“I felt good,” Halladay said. “Even at the end I felt good. It was one of those days where, especially through the middle innings, there weren’t a lot of high-stress pitches, and I think that plays a part into it, especially being able to throw more pitches. If you’re doing it with the bases loaded every inning, it takes a different toll.”

Halladay’s 130 pitches were the most in the majors this year.

Halladay was so dominant, mostly with his changeup and curveball, 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.

Halladay retired 16 in a row until the ninth.

“He’s one of the best in all of baseball,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “He was on today. We got to him but it was a little bit too late.”

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

Cameron Maybin singled leading off the Padres’ ninth and was erased at second on Jason Bartlett’s dribbler. Chase Headley’s single to left-center moved Maybin to third and he scored on Venable’s hit.

“They were just balls over the middle of the plate,” Halladay said. “I think especially Maybin, I thought he went up looking first-pitch ambush and he got a pitch he could handle. The last one was more a mistake on my part leaving the ball over the plate. If you go with something soft there or something down in the zone, we’re OK.”

Said Headley: “You certainly don’t want to put yourself in a position to salvage a game against a guy like him. If he’s not the No. 1 guy in baseball, he’s close.”

On Thursday night, Roy Oswalt and three relievers combined for a four-hit, 3-0 win. On Friday night, Cole Hamels held his hometown Padres to four hits in eight innings in a 2-0 win.

San Diego did manage to score on Saturday night, but lost 4-2 to Joe Blanton.

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.

“I saw the ball go in the gap and I thought Venable had a good chance to catch the ball,” Victorino said. “I saw him dive for the ball. At first I thought he caught it and then I located where the ball was. The whole time I was running hard and Juan Samuel kept sending me and I kept going.”

The Phillies have won 11 straight at Petco Park, and 15 of 16, since the 2008 season.

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.

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.

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.

SAN DIEGO — It wasn’t until his 130th and final pitch that the struggling San Diego Padres finally got to Roy Halladay.

Even so, San Rafael High grad Will Venable’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday merely denied the Philadelphia Phillies and their sensational pitching staff a third shutout during the course of a four-game sweep.

Halladay tied his career high with 14 strikeouts and the Phillies beat the Padres 3-1 for their fifth straight win.

Halladay (3-1) took a two-hitter into the ninth before allowing three singles, including Venable’s run-scoring base hit. 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.

“I felt good,” Halladay said. “Even at the end I felt good. It was one of those days where, especially through the middle innings, there weren’t a lot of high-stress pitches, and I think that plays a part into it, especially being able to throw more pitches. If you’re doing it with the bases loaded every inning, it takes a different toll.”

Halladay’s 130 pitches were the most in the majors this year.

Halladay was so dominant, mostly with his changeup and curveball, 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.

Halladay retired 16 in a row until the ninth.

“He’s one of the best in all of baseball,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “He was on today. We got to him but it was a little bit too late.”

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

Cameron Maybin singled leading off the Padres’ ninth and was erased at second on Jason Bartlett’s dribbler. Chase Headley’s single to left-center moved Maybin to third and he scored on Venable’s hit.

“They were just balls over the middle of the plate,” Halladay said. “I think especially Maybin, I thought he went up looking first-pitch ambush and he got a pitch he could handle. The last one was more a mistake on my part leaving the ball over the plate. If you go with something soft there or something down in the zone, we’re OK.”

Said Headley: “You certainly don’t want to put yourself in a position to salvage a game against a guy like him. If he’s not the No. 1 guy in baseball, he’s close.”

On Thursday night, Roy Oswalt and three relievers combined for a four-hit, 3-0 win. On Friday night, Cole Hamels held his hometown Padres to four hits in eight innings in a 2-0 win.

San Diego did manage to score on Saturday night, but lost 4-2 to Joe Blanton.

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.

“I saw the ball go in the gap and I thought Venable had a good chance to catch the ball,” Victorino said. “I saw him dive for the ball. At first I thought he caught it and then I located where the ball was. The whole time I was running hard and Juan Samuel kept sending me and I kept going.”

The Phillies have won 11 straight at Petco Park, and 15 of 16, since the 2008 season.

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.

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.