Padres Snap Dodgers’ Winning Streak 6-1

The San Diego Padres finally have something to show for their first five games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ryan Klesko broke out of a slump with three hits and two RBIs, and the Padres ended Los Angeles’ eight-game winning streak with a 6-1 home victory Thursday night.

“We didn’t want to face them again in June or July and not have a win against them,” Padres first baseman Phil Nevin said.

Los Angeles (12-3) failed to keep pace with the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers for the best start in franchise history at 13-2. The ’55 World Series championship club opened 22-2.

“We wasted opportunities early on,” Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. “The first 11 batters we had three singles, and we had runners on first and second twice and we couldn’t get the big hit.”

In other NL games, it was: Pittsburgh 4, Cincinnati 2; Atlanta 2, Washington 1; Philadelphia 6, Colorado 3; St. Louis 4, Chicago Cubs 0; New York 10, Florida 1; Houston 8, Milwaukee 7; and San Francisco 4, Arizona 3, 13 innings.

Adam Eaton (2-1) pitched five-plus innings allowing a run on five hits with two walks for San Diego, and Klesko went 3-for-3 to raise his average from .202 to .264.

“Adam did a good job, he worked hard out there. It probably wasn’t his most efficient outing, but he got it done,” Padres manager Bruce Bochy said.

The Padres scored three runs with two outs in the fifth inning against Scott Erickson (1-1) to open a 5-0 lead. Klesko hit an RBI double and Ramon Hernandez, who went 3-for-4, chased Erickson with a two-run single.

Erickson, who beat the Padres last week in Los Angeles, lasted just 4 2-3 innings. He gave up five runs and nine hits.

Cardinals 4, Cubs 0

At St. Louis, Chris Carpenter (3-1) pitched a seven-hitter for his sixth career shutout, and Scott Rolen homered, doubled and had three RBIs.

Chicago learned before the game that shortstop Nomar Garciaparra would be out two to three months because of a torn groin.

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster (1-3) allowed one run and four hits in six innings.

Larry Walker also homered for St. Louis.

Braves 2, Nationals 1

At Washington, Shortstop Cristian Guzman made a two-run throwing error on Raul Mondesi’s bases-loaded grounder off Chad Cordero (2-1) with two outs in the ninth.

Chris Reitsma (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth, and Dan Kolb finished for his fifth save.

John Smoltz allowed five hits in seven innings and still hasn’t won this season.

Phillies 6, Rockies 3

At Philadelphia, Jim Thome ended a season-long homerless drought at 53 at-bats, and Todd Pratt also hit a two-run homer off Joe Kennedy (1-2).

Jon Lieber (4-0) gave up three runs and nine hits in eight innings, and Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.

Pirates 4, Reds 2

At Cincinnati, Jason Bay hit his first homer of the season and drove in two runs to help Pittsburgh stop a five-game losing streak.

Bay homered in the fifth off Eric Milton (2-2). Kip Wells (1-3) won for the first time in six starts since Aug. 7. Jose Mesa pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Mets 10, Marlins 1

At Miami, Pedro Martinez (2-0) allowed three hits and a run in seven innings, Doug Mientkiewicz hit his first career grand slam and Carlos Beltran homered and drove in three runs for the Mets.

New York scored seven runs in the second against former teammate Al Leiter (0-2).

Astros 8, Brewers 7

At Houston, Andy Pettitte pitched seven strong innings to win for the first time since last July.

Pettitte (1-1), who had season-ending elbow surgery Aug. 13, scattered five hits, gave up three runs and struck out five in his fourth start of the season.

Brad Lidge gave up Brady Clark’s three-run homer before getting an out for his fifth save.

Doug Davis (2-2) gave up six runs – five earned – for the loss.

Giants 4, Diamondbacks 3, 13 innings

At San Francisco, pinch-hitter Deivi Cruz singled to left in the 13th inning off Mike Gosling (0-2) to end the Giants’ three-game losing.

Tyler Walker (1-0) pitched the 12th and 13th innings for the victory.