Clemens, Padres bullpen combine to blank Giants

[September 13, 2016]  SAN FRANCISCO -- Paul Clemens won for the first time in a month Monday night, combining with five San Diego Padres relievers on a five-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

The loss dropped the Giants (77-66) four games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (81-62) in the National League West with just 19 to play.

San Francisco retained a 1 1/2-game lead over the New York Mets (76-68) and a two-game edge over the St. Louis Cardinals (75-68) for the NL's two wild-card playoff berths.

Clemens (3-5), who had allowed 10 runs over 12 1/3 innings in his past three starts, all losses, checked the Giants on three hits for five innings. He walked one and struck out two in his first career appearance against San Francisco.

It was the first time this season in 11 starts that the 28-year-old allowed fewer than two runs. Clemens' previous win came Aug. 12 against the Mets.

Brandon Morrow, Jose Dominguez, Brad Hand, Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer combined for four innings of two-hit relief to cap the Padres' ninth shutout of the season.

Former Giants catcher Hector Sanchez belted a two-run home run, and Yangervis Solarte also collected two RBIs for the Padres, who have won four in a row against the Giants after beginning the season with nine consecutive losses against their California rival.

Sanchez's home run came off Giants starter Jeff Samardzija in the sixth inning. It followed a single by Ryan Schimpf.

The home run was Sanchez's third of the season.

Sanchez had three hits and Luis Sardinas two hits for San Diego, which had lost its previous 11 games in San Francisco.

The Padres out-hit the Giants 9-5.

Hunter Pence continued his hot hitting for the Giants, going 2-for-4. He has 13 hits in his past 18 at-bats.

The Giants, who had a three-game home winning streak snapped, opened a seven-game homestand.

Samardzija (11-10) gave up four runs on eight hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out six.

Padres relief pitcher Paul Clemens (47) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

For the second day in a row, the Padres went one time through the lineup without getting a hit. However, after their first 10 batters recorded no hits, their next 10 got six, helping produce the game's first two runs.

Sardinas got the ball rolling with a triple to left-center field leading off the fourth against Samardzija. He scored on a single by Solarte.

Alexi Amarista, Jon Jay and Sardinas all singled in the fifth, loading the bases for Solarte, whose fielder's choice made it 2-0.

NOTES: Giants 3B Eduardo Nunez was a late scratch from the starting lineup because of a stiff neck. ... The series opened about five minutes before the San Francisco 49ers kicked off their NFL season about 30 miles down the road in Santa Clara against the Los Angeles Rams. ... Padres CF Travis Jankowski did not make the trip north with the club Sunday night while tending to a private family matter. San Diego manager Andy Green said he expects Jankowski to rejoin the team at some point this week. ... Padres C Hector Sanchez started for the first time in his career against the Giants, for whom he played his first five seasons. ... Padres LHP Clayton Richard, scheduled to start Tuesday, celebrated his 33rd birthday Monday.

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