Major League Baseball

Padres 5, Giants 3

Published Apr. 28, 2012 7:10 a.m. ET

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Nick Hundley has put his poor offensive start behind him just as San Diego has begun to turn it around after a poor start.

Hundley matched his career high with four hits and drove in a run to help the Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 Friday night.

''We all know what Nick can do,'' Padres starter Cory Luebke said. ''He had a slow start but he kept working and it is exciting to see him get going.''

After going hitless in his first 21 at-bats, Hundley is hitting .395 (15 for 38) over his past 10 games.

''He had a tough start but he's bounced back,'' Padres manager Bud Black said. ''He's a guy who hit .280 last year, so you knew he was going to come around.''

Chase Headley, Orlando Hudson and Cameron Maybin also drove in runs for the Padres, who won their second straight and fourth in six games.

Luebke (3-1) pitched six strong innings to win his third consecutive start. He gave up two runs on seven hits and struck out three. Four of the Padres' seven victories have come in his last four starts.

''I was falling behind hitters early but I got through it,'' Luebke said. ''When the offense gives you a couple of runs there is more margin for error so I was able to pitch to contact more.''

Huston Street pitched the ninth for his third save in as many chances.

Buster Posey hit a home run and drove in two runs for the Giants, who have lost three of their last four. Angel Pagan also homered and Pablo Sandoval extended his hitting streak to 20 games with a third-inning single.

Eric Hacker (0-1) took the loss in his first major league start, allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out seven.

''Overall the start felt good,'' Hacker said. ''Guys made some great plays behind me. I would have liked to walk out with a `W' though.''

The former reliever had his contract purchased from Triple-A Fresno to make the start and keep the rest of the rotation on its regular schedule.

''He gave us a quality start,'' Giants' manager Bruce Bochy said. ''You'll take that from a spot starter. He came up and pitched fairly well and gave us a chance to win.''

Hundley doubled home a run in the top of the first for the Padres and Pagan led off the first with a home run for the Giants.

Pagan, who has four career leadoff homers, hit a three-run homer in his last at-bat Thursday in Cincinnati.

Hudson and Maybin each delivered a two-out RBI single in the fourth to put the Padres ahead 3-1.

Posey's RBI double in the fifth pulled the Giants within 3-2 but the Padres added two more runs in the seventh against Jeremy Affeldt, one on a Headley single and the other on a wild pitch.

Posey hit his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot leading off the eighth.

Notes: Sandoval's hitting streak is the longest to start a season since Edgar Renteria hit in 23 straight for the Atlanta Braves in 2006. ... OF Jeremy Hermida was placed on the disabled list with a right adductor strain after the game. OF Blake Tekotte was recalled from Triple-A Tucson. ... Hudson extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... The Giants optioned RHP Dan Otero to Triple-A Fresno and transferred RHP Brian Wilson to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Hacker, who optioned back to Fresno after the game with the Giants recalling RHP Steve Edlefsen. ... RHP Anthony Bass (1-2, 2.33 ERA) starts for the Padres on Saturday. He has pitched 8 1-3 scoreless innings in four career appearances against the Giants. ... RHP Tim Lincecum (1-2, 8.20) looks to get his season untracked when he starts for the Giants on Saturday. He won four of five decisions against the Padres last year and has a career 1.96 ERA against them. ... Headley has hit safely in 16 of his last 18 games.

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