Padres' five-run third snaps Giants' streak
SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Diego Padres backed starter Ian Kennedy and took control with a five-run third inning Wednesday to cruise to a 9-1 victory over San Francisco at AT&T Park. The outcome averted a three-game series sweep for the Giants, whose five-game winning streak dissolved.
"We had a good run," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Kennedy (2-1), who entered the game with a 7.11 ERA, limited the Giants to their lone run and six hits in seven innings. He improved to 10-4 with a 2.42 ERA lifetime against San Francisco.
The Padres collected at least one hit per inning until the ninth. Rookie right-hander Chris Heston (2-3) bore the brunt of the Padres' offense, surrendering five runs and 11 hits in five innings. Matt Kemp's RBI double began the third-inning uprising immediately before Justin Upton drew one of his four walks. Four consecutive run-scoring hits followed.
Video: SD@SF: Kemp laces RBI double to left-center field
"We were due. We think we're going to hit and we hit [today]. Our guys came in with an edge," Padres manager Bud Black said.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Batting around: The Padres sent 10 men to the plate during their big third inning as seven consecutive batters reached base. Rookie catcher Austin Hedges got his first big league hit with an RBI single to center field during the third. More >
Video: SD@SF: Hedges collects first Major League hit and RBI
Coming up empty: The Giants could not capitalize fully on the occasional scoring chances they generated against Kennedy. Nori Aoki ended the third inning by being doubled off first base after singling home a run, Kennedy escaped a second-and-third, one-out jam in the fourth and the Giants wasted Brandon Belt's two-out triple in the sixth.
Video: SD@SF: Kennedy fans five in second win of season
About that offense: The Padres had a combined six hits in getting shut out during the first two games of this series. They finished with 16 hits as Alexi Amarista and Cory Spangenberg, who had hits in that big third inning, each had a career-high three hits. More >
Everyone reaches base: All nine of the Padres' starting players -- yes, even Kennedy -- reached base. The 16 hits were the most for the Padres this season since they had 17 in a victory over the Rockies on April 20.
"I don't see our lineup getting shut out too often," Kennedy said. "We don't like getting shut out."
QUOTABLE
"He was great. But with game calling, if I shook [him off], he knew the next pitch I was throwing. As I told him, if I shake, don't worry about it. We talked about everything between innings. He was awesome to work with," -- Kennedy on Hedges, who got his first big league start.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
One Padres player who didn't join the hit parade Wednesday was Upton, though he still found his way on base. It marked the first time in his career that he drew four walks in a game.
WHAT'S NEXT
Padres: The Padres will head to Phoenix to being a four-game series at 6:40 p.m. PT on Thursday. Odrisamer Despaigne gets the start in place of Brandon Morrow, who landed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with inflammation in his right shoulder. It marks the second time Despaigne has stepped into the rotation for an injured pitcher. He did so last month for Kennedy.
Giants: Having faced National League West competition in 25 of 28 games, the Giants will get a little variety in their lives beginning Thursday at 7:15 p.m. PT when they open a four-game series against the Miami Marlins. San Francisco won last season's series against the Marlins, four games to three.
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