Buddle’s three goals lift Galaxy to win

OAKLAND -- Edson Buddle scored three goals for the second time in four weeks, and David Beckham had an assist during his Bay Area Major League Soccer debut in the Galaxy’s 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.

With Landon Donovan away on U.S. national team duty, Buddle stepped up with another remarkable game for the Galaxy, who lead the Western Conference with four wins in five games after trouncing the last-place Quakes.

After an early goal set up by Beckham’s cross, Buddle connected on two second-half headers to bury the Galaxy’s upstate rivals in front of 39,872 -- the largest crowd to watch the Earthquakes.

Buddle had another hat trick May 18 against Dallas, giving him eight goals in the Galaxy’s last five games. With Beckham setting up two outstanding strikers, the Galaxy’s peerless offense leads MLS with 28 goals.