Padres Complete Sweep of Pirates

It took them 66 games, but the defending National League champions have finally won three games in a row this season.

Weakened by big off-season changes and hit hard by injuries, the San Diego Padres became the last team in the majors to win at least three in a row with a 6-3 victory Sunday over the Pittsburgh Pirates, which also gave them a sweep at home.

“It’s fun to see us play like this,” Padre Manager Bruce Bochy said.

But, he added: “I didn’t think it would take until June.”

Matt Clement (3-7), who grew up 25 minutes from Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, won consecutive starts for the first time this season and Phil Nevin’s two-run single highlighted a three-run fifth inning.

The Padres’ bullpen extended its scoreless streak to 13 1/3 innings in the last five games, with Dan Miceli throwing two perfect innings and Trevor Hoffman working the ninth for his third save of the series and 15th this season. The Padres finished Saturday night’s 5-4 victory with four perfect innings.

“It’s a great team win,” said Clement, who gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings. “There wasn’t one person who carried anybody else. It was something we needed. It was kind of symbolic of being our first three-game winning streak. Maybe we can get on a roll and get going.”

The only down side for the Padres was Tony Gwynn, who was held out as a precaution after he left Saturday night’s game because of a slight pull in his left calf. Gwynn, who got his 2,982nd hit Saturday night, said he could have played. He’ll be back Tuesday night against the Dodgers.

Gwynn is on pace to get his 3,000th hit at home on July 6 against San Francisco, the second game of a six-game homestand.

AROUND THE LEAGUE / Mariners Trade Mieske to Astros

The Houston Astros helped the Seattle Mariners clear room for Jay Buhner’s expected return from the disabled list by trading minor league right-hander Kevin Hodges to Seattle for outfielder Matt Mieske.

Buhner, placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 19 because of a strained left hamstring, is expected back within a few days. Mieske was batting .366 with four homers and seven runs batted in in 24 games with Seattle. Hodges began the season with double-A Jackson of the Texas League where he went 1-4 with a 2.94 earned-run average in eight starts before being promoted to triple-A New Orleans. He was 1-3 at New Orleans with a 7.24 ERA in five starts.

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TONY GWYNN WATCH

Tony Gwynn is looking to become the 22nd member of the 3,000-hit club. The Padre’s status:

HITS: 2,982

HITS TO 3,000: 18

LAST GAME: Did not play Sunday

NEXT GAME: Tuesday vs. Dodgers, but Gwynn is day-to-day because of sore calf.