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Giants' mistakes propel Padres to 13-inning win

May 31, 2008 - 7:55 AM By Ryan McCrary PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres have not been able to post many wins on the road this season. But even after hitting into the 12th triple play in team history, they tasted rare success away from home.

Pinch hitter Justin Huber hit a two-run single to cap a four-run 13th inning Friday as the Padres outlasted the Giants, 7-3.

San Francisco, which turned its first triple play since June 14, 1999, temporarily was able to keep the game tied at 3-3 in the eighth.

With runners on first and second, Kevin Kouzmanoff grounded the first pitch he saw from Giants reliever Keiichi Yabu to third baseman Jose Castillo, who needed to take just a few steps to his right to get the forceout at third.

Castillo then fired the ball to second baseman Ray Durham to retire Adrian Gonzalez for the second out. Durham's throw to first narrowly beat Kouzmanoff, giving the Giants their first triple play at home since 1980, also against the Padres.

"It doesn't get much bigger than that," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "Especially at the time of the game. Tie ballgame, the game on the line, and when you get a triple play, there's obviously excitement everywhere.

"When you make a play like that, you think it's your night and you're going to win the ballgame, but we couldn't get another run."

For Yabu, it was the first triple play he ever has witnessed.

"First time for me," he said. "First experience. I was thinking double play, but we got a triple play.

"It was unbelievable," Giants first baseman John Bowker said. "It was such a big situation for us."

Omar Vizquel, who has played in more games at shortstop than anyone in major league history, still has never participated in a triple play as a defensive player but marveled at the feat.

"When (Castillo) grabbed the ball, I said, 'Whoa, we have a chance for three,'" Vizquel said. "When he turned to second, he really surprised me. It worked out great."

However, the Padres finally took advantage of some wildness by the Giants in extra innings to come away with just their ninth win in 28 tries away from Petco Park.

With the game still even at 3-3, Tadahito Iguchi drew a one-out walk and Brian Giles lined a double to right field before Adrian Gonzalez was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Two batters later, Khalil Greene drew a five-pitch walk to force in a run, and Michael Barrett was hit by a pitch by Billy Sadler (0-1), plating Giles to make it 5-3. Huber followed with his single to center to cap the late offensive explosion.

"There's nothing better than winning," Kouzmanoff said. "We battled all night tonight. I had a rough night tonight. There were many opportunities for me with guys in scoring position for me to drive them in, and I didn't do my job tonight.

"Greene picked me up big time by getting the walk and driving that run in, and it kind of went from there."

Cha Seung Baek (1-1), who was making his first appearance for San Diego since being acquired from Seattle on Wednesday, struck out the side in the 12th in his National League debut. Closer Trevor Hoffman followed with a scoreless 13th in a non-save situation.

"(Baek) was very efficient," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He looked comfortable in a big situation and showed good poise out there."