--RHP Trevor Hoffman's production has been adversely affected by the Padres' struggles. Monday night he made his first appearance in 10 games and only his 11th appearance since the All-Star break -- and in a non-save situation. Hoffman's ERA in non-save situations fell from 5.71 to 5.25. When Jody Gerut homered in the bottom of the ninth, Hoffman picked up his 60th win as a Padre.
--RF Brian Giles went 3-for-4 with a walk in his second consecutive start in the leadoff slot after not batting there since May 9. Giles has a six-game hitting streak (8-for-21 with six walks) and has reached base seven times in 10 plate appearances (with a game-opening homer) in his two games back in the leadoff spot.
--SS Luis Rodriguez was 3-for-5 and fell a homer shy of the first cycle in Padres history. The shortstop has three straight multi-hit games, is 10-for-21 over his last five games and is hitting .315 (23-for-73) since taking over for the injured Khalil Greene on Aug. 1.
--RHP Jake Peavy evened the score with Arizona's Dan Haren on Monday night, holding the Diamondbacks to two runs on four hits over six innings. Wednesday night in Arizona, Peavy was spotted to a 4-0 lead in the first when matched against Haren. But the 2007 Cy Young Award winner gave up three runs in both the bottom of the first and second and took the loss. "I was better mentally tonight," said Peavy.
--CF Jody Gerut is a prime candidate for Comeback Player of the Year honors after missing the last two seasons with knee injuries. He is hitting .333 (33-for-99) over his last 28 games with eight homers and 21 RBIs.
--Denny Russell, one of the Padres' most popular employees -- with fans as well as staff -- died unexpectedly Monday morning at the age of 47. Russell served the Padres as Coordinator of Disabled Services since 2002. Russell and his assistance dog Sage were on the field frequently before games, greeting fans and participating in ceremonies. "Denny was an inspiration to everyone he met," said Padres CEO Sandy Alderson. "Not because of the challenges he faced, but because of the genuine warmth and humor he shared, the energy and passion for life he exhibited and the successes he achieved. We will miss him greatly."
BY THE NUMBERS
2 -- Times this season the Padres have been swept by the Giants, who are managed by former Padres manager Bruce Bochy. 4-10 -- Padres' record against the Giants this season. 5 -- Losing streaks of five games or more for the Padres. 7 -- Leadoff homers for the Padres this season with Brian Giles delivering off the Giants' Kevin Correia Aug. 24 in San Francisco. 34 -- Walks allowed by Padres pitchers in the 0-6 road trip. 82nd -- Loss for the Padres on Aug. 24, assuring them of their first losing season since moving into Petco Park in 2004.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I just saw some pitches there were out of location and some hard-hit balls." -- Padres manager Bud Black on why he pulled starting pitcher Josh Banks with one run in, the bases loaded and no one out in the fourth Sunday with the Padres ahead 3-0 in San Francisco.
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