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Kouzmanoff's homer propels Padres past Cardinals

May 21, 2008 - 5:40 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Kevin Kouzmanoff belted a three-run home run to help the San Diego Padres stage a rare comeback victory in a 3-2 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

Kouzmanoff's blast off Cardinals starter Joel Pineiro (2-3) in the sixth erased a 2-0 deficit as the Padres (17-30), who entered the game with the worst record in the majors, came from behind to win for just the fourth time this season.

"I was just looking for a good pitch to hit hard, and fortunately, I got the barrel on it," said Kouzmanoff, who homered for just the fourth time this season. "It feels good. I think it was a group effort tonight."

Bryan Corey (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings to pick up the victory, his first with San Diego since coming over in a trade with the Boston Red Sox on May 11.

Heath Bell contributed a scoreless eighth in front of all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, who retired the side in order in the ninth for his ninth save in 11 chances this season.

"Hitting with men on base, timely hitting, that was nice to see," Padres manager Bud Black said. "After that, we got three scoreless innings out of the bullpen against a good offensive club. I think we all know we need to play better and do more of what we did tonight."

Pineiro cruised through five innings before walking Jody Gerut and Brian Giles in front of Kouzmanoff's home run in the decisive sixth. The 29-year-old Pineiro lasted 5 2/3 innings, yielding three runs on six hits while striking out seven and walking three.

"I thought I had great stuff," Pineiro said. "Really the only bad thing for me was the two walks in that innings and then the worst pitch of the night. (Kouzmanoff) hit it out of the ballpark, and that was it."

"(Pineiro) was throwing the ball well," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa added. "He made the cardinal sin: walking the leadoff hitter with a two-run lead. Hopefully, he takes something out of it. You can't walk the leadoff guy. That's what started it."

St. Louis took an early lead against San Diego starter Greg Maddux when Troy Glaus connected on an RBI double in the second and scored on Adam Kennedy's groundout for a 2-0 advantage.

Maddux, who was seeking his 351st career win, allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer struck out two and walked one.

"It was a good win," Maddux said. "The bullpen did good. They held them for three innings. I did OK. I left a ball up to Glaus, and the rest is just baseball. It's nice to win."

Glaus and Yadier Molina each collected a pair of hits for the Cardinals, who had won three straight.