Padres’ Hoffman One From Record

Trevor Hoffman earned his 477th career save to pull within one of tying Lee Smith’s all-time record and Mike Cameron hit a two-run triple for the San Diego Padres, who beat Arizona, 3-1, Thursday night to keep their slim lead atop the National League West.

The Padres remained half a game in front of the Dodgers.

Hoffman pitched the ninth for his NL-best 41st save in 46 chances. With his next save, he will tie Smith, who had 478 with eight teams in a career lasting from 1980 to 1997. Hoffman, 38, had two saves in this three-game series after blowing the save in Monday night’s wild 11-10 loss in 10 innings at Dodger Stadium.

All but two of Hoffman’s saves have been with San Diego, which obtained him from Florida on June 24, 1993, in a five-player deal that sent Gary Sheffield to the Marlins.

Woody Williams (10-5) won his third consecutive start. He gave up five hits and an unearned run in 5 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and one walk.

Brandon Webb (16-7) lost for the first time in four starts against the Padres this season. Webb struck out four and walked one.