Nevin Leads Padre Victory

Phil Nevin hit a rare home run at Petco Park and Trevor Hoffman earned his 368th save to take sole possession of fourth place on the career list, leading the San Diego Padres to a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night at San Diego.

It was only the fourth win in 13 games for the Padres, who were roughed up by AL East teams in interleague play.

Hoffman, who was tied with Jeff Reardon for fourth all-time, threw a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances. Next up on the list is Dennis Eckersley with 390.

Nevin’s two-run shot off Casey Fossum with two out in the third gave the Padres a 2-1 lead. It was only the 18th homer for the Padres in 35 games at their new downtown ballpark.

Houston 7, Pittsburgh 5 -- Lance Berkman hit a tying three-run double and Jeff Kent drove in the go-ahead run in a big fifth inning at Houston.

Kent had to leave the game after the seventh inning after jamming his right pinkie while sliding into third base in the fifth. He remained in the game after the injury, but didn’t take the field for the eighth inning. There was no immediate word on the severity of the injury. Kirk Bullinger (1-1) pitched a scoreless fifth in relief of starter Tim Redding and picked up the win.