Estes Ends Padre Winning Streak

The San Diego Padres came up one short in their bid to surpass the longest winning streak in the club’s 30-year history, and they say it’s no big deal.

The San Francisco Giants beg to differ.

Shawn Estes and Robb Nen combined on a six-hitter and Rich Aurilia doubled and singled to drive in three runs as the Giants ended the Padres’ 11-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory Saturday at San Francisco.

“We don’t play for streaks,” San Diego’s Greg Vaughn said. “We just take one game at a time. It was just one of those things where it didn’t work out. We don’t have anything to be ashamed of. We had opportunities but sometimes you’ve got to tip your hat. Shawn Estes made pitches when he had to. He kept us off balance.”

Estes (6-5) gave up two runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings in winning his fourth consecutive decision. He also struck out six and walked five, helping the Giants end a six-game losing streak to the Padres, five of which came in the past eight days.

“I wanted to beat these guys,” Estes said. “I wanted to be the guy that put an end to our six-game losing streak to them, and more importantly get us going back on a winning track and get some confidence again. This was a good win for us.”

The Giants also got a boost from Ramon Martinez, who went three for three with a walk and a run in his major league debut. Subbing at second base for Rey Sanchez, sidelined because of a stiff shoulder, Martinez had a hand in turning three double plays.

“Ramon Martinez had one of the finer first major league games I’ve ever seen,” San Francisco Manager Dusty Baker said.

Added Aurilia: “It’s nice to see a game where we played as were capable. Martinez came up really big. I think he was involved in every rally.”

Nen got five outs for his National League-leading 22nd save, converting his 18th in a row, as San Francisco pulled within 4 1/2 games of the first-place Padres in the NL West.

San Diego’s run equaled the club record of 11 consecutive from April 14-27, 1982, and matched San Francisco’s 11-game winning streak from May 29-June 9 for longest in the majors this season. The last major league club to win 12 in a row was Boston in August of 1995.

“You’re disappointed that you lost but you knew it was going to come to an end sooner or later,” San Diego’s Tony Gwynn said. “You just take your defeat and come back out tomorrow and start another one.”