• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Molina powers Giants past Padres

Aug 25, 2008 - 1:27 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Bengie Molina collected three hits, including a three-run homer, and Kevin Correia pitched six strong innings as the San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres, 7-4, on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep and extend their winning streak to a season-high five games.

Molina, who fell a triple shy of the cycle, scored three runs and tallied a career high-tying five RBI. He capped a four-run sixth inning with his 10th home run of the season as the Giants rallied from a 3-0 deficit to record their third straight series win.

"We don't have many guys who hit home runs, so anytime we can get one of those, we'll take it," Molina said. "Pitching, defense - all that stuff needs to come together for us to start winning. That's what we've done so far lately."

Correia (3-7), pitching on his 28th birthday, allowed three runs and seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts in six innings. It marked his first victory since defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 28, ending a streak of four starts without a win.

After missing more than a month earlier this season with a left intercostal strain, Correia feels as if he is rounding into form.

"I don't really feel like my oblique is hurt. I pulled some muscles around it and still feel like I'm getting stronger," Correia said. "Late in the game, I felt stronger than I have in a long time. I'm glad (manager Bruce) Bochy stuck with me because I felt stronger than I did at the beginning (of the game) or the whole season."

Jack Taschner, Keiichi Yabu and Alex Hinshaw bridged the gap to Brian Wilson, who pitched a scoreless ninth to register his National League-leading 35th save of the season.

Mike Adams (1-3) suffered the loss after allowing three hits and four runs in one inning of relief as San Diego concluded an 0-6 road trip.

After the Giants tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth on RBI singles by Molina and rookie Pablo Sandoval, Emmanuel Burriss started the four-run sixth with a walk. After moving to second on a sacrifice by Omar Vizquel, Burriss scored on a single to right field by Randy Winn - his third hit on the afternoon - to put San Francisco ahead.

After a pop-up by Ivan Ochoa, Fred Lewis singled and Molina blasted a homer over the wall in left-center.

"(Molina) had a huge day. The three-run homer couldn't have come at a better time," Bochy said. "He swung it well today. It was a well-played game. We got down and battled back. We had a big inning thanks to Bengie."

Molina's big day came as no surprise to Padres manager Bud Black.

"I've seen it before. I've always thought that he was a good clutch hitter," Black said. "He has the ability to put the good part of the bat on the ball."

Sandoval continued his impressive hitting since making his major league debut on August 14 as he collected two hits and knocked in a run while extending his hitting streak to eight games. He has produced five multi-hit games and is batting .438 in nine contests.

"He did it in the minor leagues," Bochy said. "He can hit. He hit a good pitch. He has the ability to put the bat on the ball wherever it is. That is a special talent that he has. What has been impressive about him is how comfortable he is and the sense of belonging that we have talked about. He believes that he can play up here, and that is why he is doing so well."

Brian Giles gave San Diego a 1-0 lead when he hit the first pitch of the game into "McCovey Cove" for his ninth home run of the year.

"In that spot, it's not as big a deal as you would think it is. It's early in the game and you're looking to throw a strike," Correia said. "It's almost better that he hits it in the water than a double. Otherwise, you're looking at a stress inning right off the bat."

The Padres increased their advantage to 3-0 in the fourth on RBI singles by Edgar Gonzalez and Nick Hundley.