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Diamondbacks defeat Padres 6-2

Arizona Diamondbacks' Doug Davis throws against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 7, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Arizona Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew connects for a triple as San Diego Padres catcher Eliezer Alfonzo waits for the ball in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 7, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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San Diego Padres' Tony Gwynn connects for a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, July 8, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Max Scherzer delivers against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 8, 2009, in Phoenix. (APPhoto/Matt York)

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By ANDREW BAGNATO, The Associated Press Updated 6:51 PM Wednesday, July 8, 2009

PHOENIX — Felipe Lopez hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run rally in the eighth, Max Scherzer pitched seven sharp innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Diego Padres 6-2 on Wednesday to win their season-high fifth straight game.

Lopez's shot came after pinch-hitter Alex Romero gave the Diamondbacks a 3-2 lead with an RBI single.

After residing in the cellar since June 8, Arizona vaulted over the Padres into fourth place in the NL West. Arizona's winning streak is its longest since an eight-game streak in April 2008.

Will Venable and Kevin Kouzmanoff each had RBI doubles for San Diego, which has dropped seven of eight.

San Diego brought the tying run to the plate against Arizona closer Chad Qualls, who entered with a four-run lead. But Qualls struck out pinch-hitter Eliezer Alfonzo and got pinch-hitter Edgar Gonzalez on a flyball to leave the bases loaded and preserve the victory.

Scherzer went seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out nine, but Arizona scored only once while he was in the game.

With Arizona down 2-1 in the eighth, Miguel Montero blooped a one-out single down the left-field line against Gary Burke (1-1). Gerardo Parra's single sent Montero to third.

After San Diego manager Bud Black called on Mike Adams, Chad Tracy hit a smash to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who bobbled the ball. Gonzalez was charged with an error and Tracy credited with a tying RBI.

One out later, Romero fouled off several pitches before lining a single to right field to score Parra with the go-ahead run.

Lopez followed with a three-run shot to right field, his fifth, to clinch the victory for Clay Zavada (2-2), who pitched a scoreless eighth.

The Padres and Diamondbacks are the NL's feeblest-hitting teams — San Diego was hitting a league-worst .236 and the Diamondbacks ranked 15th with a .244 average entering Wednesday — and they looked it for most of the day.

San Diego's Chad Gaudin didn't allow a hit until Tracy's sharp single to right in the fifth.

Scherzer struck out four of the first five men he faced. But the Padres caught up with the fastballer in the fourth, scoring on doubles by Kouzmanoff and Venable to take a 2-0 lead.

The Diamondbacks cut the lead in half in the seventh on Chris Young's sacrifice fly to center.

Gaudin left with two outs in the seventh. He gave up one run on three hits, walking four and striking out seven.

NOTES: Arizona OF Conor Jackson has been out since May 12 with pneumonia, and manager A.J. Hinch said Jackson is not close to returning, although he's been doing some baseball activities. "He's inching along, not progressing as quickly as we'd like, but there's not much we can do," Hinch said. ... Arizona recalled LHP Doug Slaten to fill the roster spot that opened when the Diamondbacks traded Tony Pena to the Chicago White Sox. ... The Padres have yet to name a starter for Saturday's game at San Francisco.

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July 08, 2009 10:46 PM EDT

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