Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Christian Villanueva Monday night became only the fifth rookie in Padres history to homer in three straight games.
The third baseman is the first to do it since Alex Dickerson, who homered in four straight games from July 24-27, 2016. 
All the three straight homer games in Padres history happened over the past 15 seasons. Outfielder Will Venable did it in 2009, outfielder Ben Johnson accomplished the feat in '05 and shortstop Khalil Greene did it in '04.
Villanueva's two-run homer was part of a 3-for-4 game Monday. Villanueva is 8-for-12 during a four-game hitting streak with two doubles, three homers, seven RBIs and four runs scored with four walks, raising his batting average from .212 to .333.
Villanueva leads the Padres in home runs (six) and RBIs (13). Villanueva leads all rookies in homers, extra-base hits (12) and total bases (34).
NOTEBOOK:
Adam Cimber worked three scoreless innings Monday night against the Dodgers, issuing one walk with three strikeouts. The submariner has now worked in nine of the Padres' first 18 games. In 13 innings, Cimber has allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts. Over his last three outings, Cimber has worked eight innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts.
Hunter Renfroe had his first two-hit game of the season Monday night, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored. Renfroe has hit safely in three straight games (4-for-10 with three doubles and a homer) and four of the last five (5-for-17 with three doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and five runs scored). Renfroe is hitting .333 (8-for-24) at Petco Park.
The Padres had three errors Monday night for the first time in a game since last Aug. 20. The errors were committed by Villanueva, Renfroe and Jose Pirela.