Padres Win, Pull Within 4 1/2 of Giants

CINCINNATI — Jerald Clark and Bip Roberts singled in runs in a four-run ninth inning today as San Diego beat Cincinnati 11-7 and pulled to within 4 1/2 games of San Francisco in the National League West.

San Diego, which blew a 6-0 first-inning lead, won for the 24th time in 30 games. The Giants, who scored five runs in the ninth inning Wednesday night to beat Los Angeles 7-6, host the Dodgers again tonight.

Cincinnati lost its 10th straight, its second 10-game losing streak this season. The Reds have not lost 11 in a row since 1966.

Tony Gwynn and Jack Clark opened the ninth with singles off John Franco, 4-8, and Chris James sacrificed. Benito Santiago was intentionally walked to load the bases and Franco walked Carmelo Martinez on four pitches, forcing in the go-ahead run. Jack Clark scored another run when Darrin Jackson forced Santiago at third. Jerald Clark and Roberts followed with RBI singles.

Pat Clements, 4-1, pitched one perfect inning and Mark Davis pitched a perfect ninth.

San Diego took a 6-0 lead in a first inning highlighted by Jack Clark’s three-run homer only to let the Reds score five times in the bottom of the first and once in the fifth to tie.

Jackson put the Padres ahead 7-6 with a solo homer in the sixth off Rick Mahler but Herm Winningham singled in the seventh to tie the game for the second time.