Sprague Hit Lets Padres Top Giants

Ed Sprague’s pinch-hit single drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning Friday night, lifting the San Diego Padres to a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Sprague’s looping single to center field against Doug Henry (3-4) scored Ruben Rivera from second base, handing the Giants only their third loss in 16 games.

Rivera led off the inning with an infield single and was sacrificed to second. With two outs, Henry walked Ryan Klesko intentionally, bringing up Sprague.

Tom Davey (2-0) pitched the eighth inning for the win. Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 40th save in 47 opportunities, becoming only the third player in history with four 40-save seasons.

The Padres began their comeback from a 4-0 deficit in the fifth as Eric Owens doubled in Damian Jackson, who singled.

Owens, three for four with a walk, keyed a three-run seventh with a leadoff double against reliever Alan Embree. Ryan Klesko followed with an RBI single.

After a walk to Dave Magadan and a sacrifice, Klesko scored on Mike Darr’s groundout. Desi Relaford then tied the score at 4-4 with an RBI single.

San Francisco starter Russ Ortiz gave up one run on four hits in six innings and left with a 4-1 lead.

The Giants took a 2-0 lead in the fourth, as Rich Aurilia had a ground-rule double with the bases loaded.

Marvin Benard, who was four for five, led off the fifth with a triple and scored on Mueller’s ground ball, that was misplayed for an error by Klesko. Mueller went to third on a walk and a double play, then scored on Snow’s single to put San Francisco up 4-0.