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Venable, Padres edge Giants

Jul 5, 2011 - 2:36 AM San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Will Venable had two hits, including a solo home run, and two runs scored as the Padres took down the Giants, 5-3, in the opener of a four-game set.

Clayton Richard (5-9) went five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks to earn his third straight victory.

Heath Bell gave up a run in the ninth, but worked his way out of a jam to earn his 25th save of the year.

Tim Lincecum (6-7) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while fanning four through five innings.

"I didn't feel like I had a good rhythm. I didn't feel like I had good energy. I just felt like I was battling through every pitch," Lincecum said about his performance.

Pablo Sandoval had three of the Giants' six hits, including a two-run homer, as San Francisco lost for the fourth time in six games.

Bell allowed a leadoff double to Miguel Tejada and a one-out walk to pinch- hitter Pat Burrell to put runners at the corners. Brandon Crawford then pulled a single through the right side of the infield to plate Tejada. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, placing the game-tying runs in scoring position.

But Bell got out of the jam without allowing another run when he induced a flyout to shallow right field by pinch-hitter Andres Torres and a weak grounder to short by Aaron Rowand.

"They're such a great team, and we get pumped up to play a first-place team," said Bell about the Giants. "I'm glad we came out on top and I hope we do the same tomorrow."

The Padres jumped out to an early lead after Venable led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, moved to third on a base hit by Jason Bartlett and came home on Chase Headley's sacrifice fly to center. Bartlett then stole second and scored when Orlando Hudson laced a single into right field, giving San Diego a two-run advantage.

Bartlett smacked a ground-rule double to start the fifth and crossed the plate two batters later on Ryan Ludwick's single up the middle, extending the Padres lead to 3-0.

The Giants got on the board in the sixth against reliever Ernesto Frieri. After Emmanuel Burriss was hit by a pitch with one out, Sandoval stepped up to the plate and hammered a 2-1 fastball that splash-landed in McCovey Cove beyond right field.

San Diego gained some cushion in the eighth after Cameron Maybin smacked a double that deflected off Sandoval's glove at third base. Javier Lopez then replaced Ramon Ramirez on the mound, and after Maybin swiped third, Lopez hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch.

Sergio Romo took the mound next and gave up Nick Hundley's RBI single into left, but Jesus Guzman grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Venable hit his second home run of the year in the ninth inning to make it a 5-2 game.

Game Notes

Sandoval extended his hitting streak to a career-best 15 games with a double in the first inning...Sandoval has an extra-base hit in nine straight games, tying the longest streak in the majors this season. Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko also managed the feat from May 30-June 10...Giants left fielder Cody Ross left the game in the seventh inning with a mild left hamstring strain...Bell has converted 18 consecutive save opportunities and 59 out of 60 chances dating back to last year.