Another Padre Win Is a Big Relief

The San Diego Padres are on their way to the best month in franchise history, and their impeccable relievers have been a big reason for it.

The Giants can only dream of such relief.

Phil Nevin hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Padres rallied against San Francisco’s beleaguered bullpen for a 5-3 victory Saturday at San Francisco.

The Giants acquired right-hander LaTroy Hawkins from the Chicago Cubs before the game in a three-player trade, but the veteran wasn’t in town to prevent another late-inning collapse by San Francisco’s staff.

Meanwhile, San Diego’s bullpen put on another show as the Padres won their 19th game in May, tying the franchise record for victories in a month.

Rudy Seanez (3-0) struck out the side in the seventh in 13 pitches. Scott Linebrink pitched a perfect eighth to extend his scoreless streak to 11 2/3 innings. Trevor Hoffman gave up his first run in May but struck out Michael Tucker with two runners on for his 12th straight save.

Both clubs are aware relief pitching is a big strength for San Diego -- and a big liability for the Giants.

“We talked about it in the dugout,” said Nevin, who broke his second-place tie with Dave Winfield on the franchise’s career homers list. “You like our chances with our bullpen going against anybody else’s. Not to say anything bad about their bullpen, but we’ve had some great performances out of those guys all year.”

In the eighth, Jeff Fassero (1-2) gave up Geoff Blum’s one-out single and walked Brian Giles. Closer Tyler Walker relieved, but Nevin hit a full-count pitch deep into the left-field stands for his eighth homer of the season -- only his second since May 1.

Chicago 5, Colorado 1 -- Derrek Lee hit two homers for the second straight game and the fourth time this season, leading the injury-plagued Cubs at Chicago.

Lee, the National League home run leader with 16, slugged a solo shot in the first and had a two-run homer in the Cubs’ four-run sixth. Lee has 13 career multihomer games and he has accomplished the feat on consecutive days twice.

Houston 9, Milwaukee 6 -- Wandy Rodriguez got his first major league win and the Astros ruined the return of Ben Sheets to the Brewer rotation at Milwaukee.

The Astros won for only the fourth time in 26 road games and Rodriguez (1-1) won in his second major league start, thanks to an error on Milwaukee second baseman Junior Spivey that led to a four-run first inning.

Sheets (1-4) hadn’t pitched since a loss at Houston on April 20 because of an inner ear inflammation called vestibular neuritis that left him dizzy and disoriented, but he showed no ill effects from his 38-day stint on the disabled list.

New York 6, Florida 1 -- Mike Piazza had three hits and three RBIs -- his first since May 9 -- and Kazuhisa Ishii gave up one run in 6 2/3 innings to help the Mets defeat Dontrelle Willis at Miami.

Ishii (1-3) earned his first victory with New York after being acquired from the Dodgers at the end of spring training.

Willis (8-2) was 5-0 with a 2.31 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets.

Philadelphia 12, Atlanta 5 -- Jason Michaels homered and drove in a career-high five runs, and Pat Burrell had three RBIs at Atlanta in his return to the Phillie lineup.

Burrell sat out the Phillies’ win Friday because of a sore left wrist but went two for four Saturday despite having it heavily wrapped.

Pittsburgh 9, Cincinnati 2 -- Dave Williams gave up only one hit in seven innings and Jason Bay hit a two-run home run in the Pirates’ four-run first inning at Cincinnati.

St. Louis 3, Washington 1 -- Jeff Suppan gave up four hits in seven strong innings and Jim Edmonds homered for the second straight game at St. Louis to help the Cardinals to their fifth straight victory.