• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Latos, late rally lift Padres over Cardinals

May 26, 2011 - 4:05 AM San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - A stellar outing from Mat Latos and a two-run eighth inning allowed the San Diego Padres to avoid a sweep with a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the last of a three-game set from PETCO Park.

Latos (2-6), who had dropped his last six home decisions, allowed just one run and six hits, while striking out seven over eight innings.

Chase Headley and Ryan Ludwick supplied two-out RBI hits in the eighth to break a 1-1 tie, as San Diego snapped a five-game skid.

Heath Bell retired Skip Schumaker, Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman in order to earn his 10th save of the season.

The Cardinals, who had won four straight and eight of nine, wasted a strong effort from Chris Carpenter (1-5). In eight innings, Carpenter allowed three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits, while striking out six and walking none.

"It's been several times this year and it's the same scenario that we can't push enough offense to give him a chance to win," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.

St. Louis took a 1-0 lead in the first as Lance Berkman singled home Jon Jay, who began the game with a leadoff double.

Brad Hawpe answered in the second with a solo shot that narrowly stayed inside the right field foul pole. It was Hawpe's fourth homer of the season and second in as many games.

The contest remained tied until the eighth. With Jason Bartlett on and two away, Headley laced a double down the third base line. The ball rolled into the corner in left, allowing Bartlett to score from first, barely beating the throw from Tyler Greene. Headley advanced to third as the ball got past Yadier Molina. One batter later, Ludwick scorched a grounder down the third base line. Daniel Descalso snared the ball, but was unable to make a play as Headley crossed the plate, giving the Padres a 3-1 lead.

"It felt great to finally break through," Headley said. "To finally have something go our way and come up with a hit to give us the lead there, it was great to get the monkey off our back."

In addition to scoring the winning run, Bartlett went 3-for-4 with a triple. Entering the game, the Padres had scored two or less runs in each of their last eight games, tying the longest such stretch in club history.

On Wednesday, though, it was the Cardinals who proved hapless at the plate, going 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Berkman, who leads the team in extra base hits, went 2-for-4 in the loss.

Game Notes

San Diego and St. Louis concluded the season series with a 3-3 split...Since April 25, Hawpe has reached base in 24 of 26 games...Previously, Carpenter was 3-0 in four starts at PETCO Park...The Padres had scored two or less runs in each of their last eight games dating back to May 17...The last time the Cardinals swept three in San Diego was September 2001.