Padres on Top After Victory

Ryan Klesko doesn’t always have to hit home runs for the San Diego Padres to win.

And the Padres don’t have to wallow in last place in the National League West just because most fans thought they would.

With Klesko again leading the way, San Diego, the consensus preseason pick to again finish last in the division, defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-1, on Thursday to break out of a tie with the Diamondbacks and take sole possession of the National League West lead.

Klesko saw his 10-game hitting streak end, but showed his versatility by walking three times, stealing a career-high three bases and scoring the tying and go-ahead runs.

“Teams that can do all the things--walks, stealing, all those--are the teams that are going to win,” Klesko said. “You can look at all the power lineups throughout the American League and National League, and not all those guys are winning.”

Klesko was quick to point out that he’s not the only one contributing.

“Everybody’s been a part of this--the pitching, the bullpen, the offense. Everyone,” he said.

But the focus the last few days has been on Klesko, who homered twice both Monday and Tuesday nights at Houston.

“We relied on him so much in Houston that it was unbelievable,” catcher Ben Davis said. “I mean, he basically carried us, by himself. We know we can’t expect that out of him every day.”