Padre Lead Hits Double Digits

The San Diego Padres have opened a double-digit lead in the NL West because they keep doing the difficult things right.

Joey Hamilton blocked out the trade rumors to win his 50th game as a Padre and Trevor Hoffman kept his save streak intact by getting one of his toughest outs Saturday, preserving a 2-1 victory over Cincinnati.

Greg Vaughn had his third homer in two games--his 33rd of the season--as the Padres reached new heights. They have won four in a row and six of seven to open a 10-game lead over San Francisco in the NL West, their biggest cushion of the season. The Padres have a 14-game lead over the Dodgers.

San Diego is a franchise-best 63-34, having never been more than 23 games over .500 in its 29 previous seasons.

The last two wins came at the expense of the Reds, who entered the series with a 10-game winning streak but once again have hit the wall against San Diego. The Padres are 10-1 against the Reds this season, winning the last eight games.

Hamilton (8-9) outpitched Pete Harnisch (7-4). Both are wondering where they’ll be in August--the Padres are listening to offers for Hamilton and the Reds are talking to four teams about Harnisch while also negotiating a contract extension with him.

“I’m not dealing with it,” said Hamilton, who gave up one run on three hits over six innings. “I’m in San Diego. I’m pitching for the Padres right now and that’s pretty much all I’ve got to say about it. I’m trying to help us win and I can’t think about anything else.”

Hamilton, the Padres’ leader in wins three of the last four seasons, has rebounded from a career-worst six-game losing streak by going 5-2 in his last eight starts. He became the 10th pitcher to win 50 games for the Padres.

Hoffman came on with the tying run at third and two outs in the eighth and got Eddie Taubensee--who was six-for-11 against Hoffman--on a first-pitch grounder to shortstop to end the threat.

“He’s been a thorn in my side, especially in that situation--a contact hitter, a man on third,” Hoffman said. “I just tried to get ahead so I wouldn’t have to throw him a fastball. I got him on a changeup.”

Hoffman retired the side in order in the ninth to remain perfect in 29 save opportunities this season. He’s three shy of Dennis Eckersley’s major league mark for consecutive saves from the start of a season.

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Next Series For Dodgers

Who: Cincinnati Reds

Where: Dodger Stadium

When: Monday, 7 p.m. and Tuesday, 7 p.m.