San Francisco Giants Luis Matos thanks the good Lord for connecting for a home run in the top of the fourth inning as San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka looks on at Petco Park in San Diego on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Despite a late comeback by San Diego, San Francisco used home run power early and held on for a 7-6 win Sunday at Petco Park.

San Diego (81-64) remains in second place in the NL West, trailing the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by six games, while the Giants (71-73) remain in fourth place.

The Giants tagged San Diego starter Joe Musgrove (5-5) for three home runs in the top of the fourth inning – a two-run shot by Matt Chapman, a three-run homer by Jerar Encarnacion that was followed by a solo shot by Luis Matos – giving San Francisco a 6-0 lead.

Chapman had two of San Francisco’s seven hits. Luis Arraez led the Padres with three hits.

San Diego got on the board with Jackson Merrill’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Giants lead to 6-1. San Francisco responded with a one-out solo home run by Curt Casall, extending the Giants lead to 7-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Padres began their comeback after San Francisco made two pitching changes, the latter from Taylor Rogers to Tyler Rogers. Merrill, who walked off Taylor Rogers, later scored on a wild pitch by Tyler Rogers. Jurickson Profar then reached on Tyler Ferguson’s throwing error, allowing Arraez (who singled) and Donovan Solano (who walked) to score. The Giants lead was cut to 7-4.

Camilo Doval took the mound for San Francisco to start the bottom of the eighth. After Jake Cronenworth singled, Xander Bogaerts drove a two-run home run to left-center, pulling the Padres to within 7-6.

Two batters later, Ryan Walker replaced Doval and diffused the rally, then retired the Padres in order in the ninth to end the game.

Erik Miller (4-5), who replaced starter Spencer Givens, worked 1 2/3 innings to get the win. Doval was credited with his third hold, and Walker threw a scoreless 1 2/3 innings for his seventh save.

Musgrove struck out seven and walked one, but also gave up six earned runs in his 4 1/3 innings.

After taking Monday off, the Giants host Milwaukee on Tuesday at Oracle Park. Aaron Civale (5-8, 4.62) starts for the Brewers, while Hayden Birdsong (3-5, 5.19) is on the mound for the Giants. Game time is 6:45 p.m PT.