Giants Get Best of Jones This Time

Jeff Kent hit a tiebreaking three-run homer off Bobby J. Jones, and the San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres, 8-2, Thursday night for a three-game sweep.

Jones (1-0) had pitched a one-hit shutout for the New York Mets to eliminate the Giants in the first round of last year’s National League playoffs, giving up a fifth-inning double to Kent.

This time, San Francisco got to Jones for four runs and six hits in five innings, dropping San Diego to 0-3 for the first time since 1994, when the Padres lost their first four.

It was Jones’ first game since signing with San Diego as a free agent.

Russ Ortiz (1-0) gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Ryan Klesko put San Diego ahead in the first with a run-scoring double-play grounder after Damian Jackson’s double.

Rich Aurilia hit a game-tying single in the third and Kent’s homer, after Barry Bonds had singled, made it 4-1.

Klesko hit an run-scoring single in the fifth and San Diego loaded the bases with two out in the sixth, but Aaron Fultz relieved and got Jackson to ground into a forceout.

Fultz combined with Alan Embree and Tim Worrell for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Giants, who open a three-game series at Dodger Stadium tonight.

Calvin Murray had a three-run homer off Dave Maurer in the seventh, the second pinch-hit homer of Murray’s career, to break the game open. Santiago had an RBI double in the eighth against Trevor Hoffman.

In the fourth inning, Giant right fielder Eric Davis left the game because of a twisted left knee.

Davis tried to plant his foot to field Mike Darr’s leadoff single, but his left ankle gave in the outfield grass.

He managed to field the ball, then make a strong throw to get Darr trying to stretch the hit into a double. Davis was stretched out on his back before being helped off the field. He was replaced by Armando Rios, who was one for three with a run scored.

The outfield grass is still a little unsettled from the San Francisco Demons, the XFL team that last played at Pac Bell Park on March 24.