San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Adrian Gonzalez belted a three-run homer, and the San Diego Padres kept their playoff hopes alive by fending off NL West-leading San Francisco, 6-4.
In Progress: Struggling Padres Fight To Stay Alive Against Giants In N.L. West Showdown
Ryan Ludwick and Matt Stairs each hit a solo home run for the Padres, while starter Clayton Richard (14-9) gave up three runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Aaron Rowand launched a pinch-hit two-run homer for San Francisco, which has hit 17 homers in its last eight games.
The Padres raced out to a 6-0 lead with the help of the long ball. Ludwick and Stairs went deep to leadoff the second and fourth innings, respectively, sandwiching Gonzalez’s 31st home run of the season in the third.
Cain was lifted in favor of Dan Runzler after consecutive singles by David Eckstein and Miguel Tejada put men on the corners to begin the fifth. Eckstein then scored on a wild pitch.
An RBI single by Freddy Sanchez put San Francisco on the board in the bottom of the frame, and the Giants followed up with a three-spot in the sixth. With one out in the inning, Pat Burrell doubled, and Rowand crushed a 1-2 pitch from Richard over the left-field wall.
Ryan Webb entered from the bullpen and walked Juan Uribe before Cody Ross stroked a two-out double. Joe Thatcher took over on the mound, and Andres Torres plated a run with a dribbler on the infield. Luke Gregerson got Sanchez to fly out to end the inning.
The Giants placed runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Heath Bell retired Torres on ground ball to first base.
Bell stayed on for the ninth and issued a leadoff walk to Sanchez, who was doubled off first when Aubrey Huff flied out to right. Bell earned his 46th save after Buster Posey grounded out to end the game.
The Padres improved to 11-5 against the Giants this season...With 161 home runs, Gonzalez is two shy of Nate Colbert’s San Diego record.
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