Major League Baseball

Padres 4, Reds 2

Published Jul. 31, 2013 7:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

The San Diego Padres got another clutch, late-inning hit and now can sweep a three-game series from the Cincinnati Reds.

Nick Hundley hit a two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning and the Padres beat Cincinnati 4-2 Tuesday night, extending the Reds' losing streak to five straight.

The Padres have won four straight. On Monday night, Chris Denorfia's pinch-hit, two-run homer off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning gave the Padres a 2-1 win.

''We talk about it all the time - good pitching and timely hitting, and today our pitchers did a nice job all the way throughout the game,'' manager Bud Black said. ''We got a couple of big swings early and then the real big one late from Nick. That's what it comes down to, a very clutch hit late in the game.''

Will Venable, who scored the go-ahead run on Hundleys' hit, went 3 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI.

Venable singled to right with one out in the eighth against left-hander Manny Parra (1-2). Sam LeCure came on and allowed a single to rookie Jedd Gyorko before striking out pinch-hitter Denorfia. Hundley then doubled down the left-field line.

Hundley hit a curveball up in the zone.

''I was looking for something up in the zone I could handle. Whether it was the first pitch or the last pitch, that was where my focus was,'' Hundley said.

LeCure wasn't going to let Denorfia beat him.

''For sure you take a lot from that at-bat,'' Hundley said. ''For me, I took lot from Jedd's at-bat. You try to hone in and watch how they're pitching the right-handed guys. You try to take things from every at-bat, that's for sure.''

Parra hadn't allowed a run since June 7, a streak of 19 games and 15 1-3 innings.

The Reds scored three or fewer runs for the 10th time in 11 games.

''We get runners on and we can't push them over or across,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ''We get runners on late, but can't move them.

''It's just another tough one to lose,'' Baker said. ''We didn't play really good. We made some mistakes. Not much to say. The club is down. We need a victory.''

Dale Thayer (1-3) pitched 1 1-3 innings for the win. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances.

Cincinnati's Mat Latos and San Diego's Edinson Volquez were matched up for the second time since being part of a five-player trade between the clubs on Dec. 17, 2011. Neither got a decision.

Latos went six innings, allowing two runs and two six hits, striking out six and walking two.

Volquez went 6 1-3, allowing two runs and four hits, walking five and striking out three.

The Reds scored single runs in the second and sixth innings, and the Padres matched them each time.

In the second, Devin Mesoraco's high chopper to third scored Jay Bruce, who was aboard on a leadoff single. San Diego tied it when Logan Forsythe's groundout brought in Yonder Alonso, who hit a leadoff single and advanced on Venable's double.

The Reds took advantage of Volquez's wildness to go ahead 2-1 in the sixth. Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips drew consecutive walks and Votto scored on Bruce's single to right.

''It's awesome pitching against former teammates,'' Volquez said. ''I've got a good idea facing those guys. I know what they're looking for, what they're trying to do.''

San Diego came back and tied it when Jesus Guzman beat out an infield single and scored on Venable's one-out double to center.

NOTES: Reds OF Shin-Soo Choo returned to the starting lineup after missing Monday's game with a sore left ankle. Choo started in LF instead of CF to cut down running and possibly re-injuring his ankle. ''This is Yellowstone National Park out here,'' manager Dusty Baker said, referring to roomy confines of Petco Park. ''You need some good fresh legs.'' ... OF Ryan Ludwick remains ''a ways off'' from returning, Baker said. Ludwick, 2 for 12 with one RBI in five rehab appearances in the minors, needs at least 50 at-bats before returning to Cincinnati, Baker said. ... Padres CF Cameron Maybin began a rehab assignment with Tucson on Tuesday night. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 12, retroactive to June 10, with a strained left knee. Earlier this year, he spent time on the DL with a right wrist impingement. Manager Bud Black said the rehab assignment will be significantly longer than a week to 10 days. ... The series concludes Wednesday afternoon when Cincinnati's Homer Bailey (5-10, 3.77 ERA) faces lefty Eric Stults (8-9, 3.65). ... Padres LF Carlos Quentin left the game after tweaking his right knee.