Giles’ heroics lift Padres past Giants

SAN FRANCISCO -- Just when it seemed the San Diego Padres were sinking in the season’s final week, Brian Giles provided a big boost with one powerful swing.

Giles hit a go-ahead three-run homer with two outs in the ninth, and the Padres ended a four-game losing streak Thursday night with a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

The win gave San Diego a one-game lead over Philadelphia in the wild-card standings after the Phillies lost to Atlanta, 10-6. And the Padres also pulled to within two games of NL West-leading Arizona, which lost at Pittsburgh, 6-5.

Giles, who was in a four-for-52 slump, hit his 12th home run off closer Brian Wilson (1-2) and it spoiled another strong outing by Giants starter Matt Cain. Wilson also gave up Brady Clark’s bloop run-scoring single.

Joe Thatcher (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief for his first major league win.