Padres sweep Giants ~ Hensley To Portland

The San Diego Padres completed the 3 game sweep over the division basement dwelling Giants on Sunday by a tally of 5-4. The victory marked the 4th in a row and 4 and 2 homestand. The first place Arizona DBacks took their brooms out as they swept the LA Dodgers back to 4 games off the pace. San Diego maintained their 1.5 game deficit with a chance to pick up a half game tomorrow in St. Louis with Arizona having an off day.

Justin Germano threw well over 5 2/3 innings prior to exiting with a bloody right thumb after being hit by a comebacker. He was replaced by Doug Brocail who after surrendering back to back singles, retired the Giants and would up earning the win with the Pads putting up 2 runs in their half of the sixth.

Mike Cameron was the star of the game making things happen with his glove, legs, and bat. Cameron made a beautiful leaping grab at the wall that ended with his body slamming squarely into the pads in left center. He then tied the game at 2 by stealing third and scampering home after the ball got away from Giants third baseman Pedro Feliz. In the 8th, Cameron, who was hitting in the leadoff position for the first time under Bud Black, smoked a ball to the wall in right center to score Morgan Ensberg who had a 2 out pinch single. That run proved pivotal as closer Trevor Hoffman allowed a 2 run homer that pulled the Giants within 1 before a vintage Hoffman change up got Randy Winn swinging to end the game. Baseball's all time saves leader has converted 29 of 31 save opportunities this season.

Clay Hensley, who started last night's game for the Friars and will be remembered for giving up Barry Bonds' record tying 755th homerun was optioned to AAA Portland in favor of a fresh armed Mike Thompson. I feel this move was made based on the fact that the Pads needed an additional arm after consecutive extra inning victories. Mike Thompson started the season with the Padres and will be used as a long reliever and spot starter depending on the recovery time of Chris Young, who leads the National League in ERA.