Padres Extend Streak Thanks to Hot Hitting

The last time the San Diego Padres were winning like this, they weren’t a threat to anybody. Now they are.

With Ken Caminiti, Tony Gwynn and Wally Joyner keeping up their torrid hitting, the Padres ran their winning streak to five with a 9-2 victory over the Florida Marlins in the home opener Monday in San Diego.

The Padres, undefeated since their first game, are on their longest winning streak since taking six consecutive from May 27-June 1, 1994. Back then, the Padres were struggling to rebound from a 10-32 start that included a club-record 13-game losing streak.

On Sunday, the Padres had their biggest victory ever, getting 17 hits--including three home runs--in a 17-2 victory at Houston.

Monday’s game was more what the Padres expect--10 hits, none of them homers. In four games, San Diego has scored 44 runs.

“People who don’t see us play and look at the scoreboard and box score are surprised, but we’re not surprised,” Gwynn said.

Houston 6, San Francisco 2--Mike Hampton gave up four hits and struck out eight in eight innings at Houston.

Hampton (2-0) didn’t allow a runner past second after the third inning and struck out three of his last four batters. Todd Jones finished with a hitless ninth.

William VanLandingham (0-2) walked six in six innings for the Giants, giving up four runs and four hits.

Cincinnati 7, New York 6--The Reds stole seven bases--their highest total in eight years--and Jeff Branson homered in the eighth inning at Cincinnati.

Pete Schourek (2-0) gave up three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings in near-freezing conditions. The temperature was 42 degrees at the first pitch and sank into the mid-30s by the late innings.

The Reds built a 5-0 lead by putting together five hits, four walks and five steals off Bobby Jones (0-1) in 3 2/3 innings.

Chicago 9, Colorado 6--Scott Servais drove in a career-high five runs with a home run and double, and Mark Grace had three runs batted in at Denver.

The Cubs, winning their 10th consecutive road opener, blew a 6-0 lead, but Servais hit a three-run, tie-breaking homer in the seventh off Kevin Ritz (1-1).

With one out in the seventh, Grace doubled for his third of four hits. One out later, Luis Gonzalez was intentionally walked and Servais homered to left.

Reliever Terry Adams (1-0) gave the Cubs four solid innings, striking out his last four batters.

Philadelphia 6, Pittsburgh 3--Sid Fernandez and four relievers ruined the Pirates’ best start in 13 seasons and Pittsburgh’s home opener.

The Phillies led, 2-0, even before Denny Neagle retired a batter. Mark Whiten hit a three-run homer in the sixth, and Lenny Dykstra homered in the ninth.

Fernandez (1-1) gave up three hits in five shutout innings. Neagle (0-1) gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings but struck out eight.

Montreal 4, St. Louis 3--F.P. Santangelo drove in the go-ahead run with an infield hit in the 10th inning at St. Louis.

Mark Grudzielanek singled off Jeff Parrett (1-1) to start the 10th, took second on Mike Lansing’s sacrifice and third on a groundout. Moises Alou was intentionally walked and Santangelo beat out a dribbler to the right side.