By Jeremy Kahn
SAN FRANCISCO-Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford must think it is 2012 or 2014; because, the way they have been hitting, it seems like the playoffs are on the horizon.
Crawford launched a three-run home run onto the Arcade in the bottom of the second inning, and then Belt hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, helping the San Francisco Giants to a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres before a paid crowd of 9,764 at Oracle Park.
Belt led off the second inning with a single, then Evan Longoria doubled Belt to third and then Crawford hit his seventh home run of the season to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.
That would be all that Kevin Gausman would need, as he went six innings, allowing one run on three hits, walked just one and struck out seven, as he won for the third time without a loss this season.
Gausman lowered his earned run average to 1.97, as the Giants increased their lead over the Padres to 2.5 games and currently three games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who play the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim Stadium.
Crawford and Buster Posey led the team in home runs with seven, for two innings when Belt hit his seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The fifth Giants run of the afternoon came when Austin Slater, the hero of Friday nights victory over the Padres drove in Steven Duggar with a single off of Padres reliever Tim Hill.
Duggar singled with one out in the inning, went to second, when Jake Cronenworth made a great play at second base to get Curt Casali at first base. Darin Ruf was then intentionally walked, and then Slater singled in Duggar with the fifth run of the game.
Slater hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run blast deep over the center field wall that also scored Mauricio Dubon, who reached on a fielders choice. It was the second hit in as many at bats for Slater, who came on to pinch hit for Mike Tauchman in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Musgrove, who tossed the Padres first ever no hitter on April 9 against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field lasted five innings, allowed four runs on eight hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven and saw his record fall to 2-4 on the season.
Mike Yastrzemski made his return to the lineup and took a collar, as he went 0-for-4 on the afternoon.
The Giants put an end to the streak that saw them five hits or fewer against the Padres, as they picked up 11 hits against Padres pitching. The six-game streak was the longest by a Giants opponent since 1901.
NOTES: Gausman was activated from the 10-day injured list prior to the game and Pitcher Aaron Sanchez was placed on the 10-day injured list with right bicep tightness.
With the victory, the Giants have won 12 out of their first 15 games at home this season, a .800 winning percentage, the best home record in the majors.
The Giants are fourth team in the major leagues this season to reach the 20-win plateau, as they join the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals in the 20-win club in 2021. Also, the Giants have the best record in the National League by percentage points over the Cardinals and are tied with the Red Sox for the best record in the major leagues.
UP NEXT: Johnny Cueto makes his return to the Oracle Park mound on Sunday afternoon for the Giants, while the Padres have not announced their starter for the series finale.

