Giles’ heroics lift Padres past Giants
- Share via
SAN FRANCISCO -- Just when it seemed the San Diego Padres were sinking in the season’s final week, Brian Giles provided a big boost with one powerful swing.
Giles hit a go-ahead three-run homer with two outs in the ninth, and the Padres ended a four-game losing streak Thursday night with a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
The win gave San Diego a one-game lead over Philadelphia in the wild-card standings after the Phillies lost to Atlanta, 10-6. And the Padres also pulled to within two games of NL West-leading Arizona, which lost at Pittsburgh, 6-5.
Giles, who was in a four-for-52 slump, hit his 12th home run off closer Brian Wilson (1-2) and it spoiled another strong outing by Giants starter Matt Cain. Wilson also gave up Brady Clark’s bloop run-scoring single.
Joe Thatcher (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief for his first major league win.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
