Padres rout Pirates in four-game series opener

Struggling second baseman Ian Kinsler hit a three-run homer off Pittsburgh reliever Richard Rodriguez in the sixth inning Thursday night to lead the Padres to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Pirates in the opener of a four-game series at Petco Park. The loss could have been doubly costly for the Pirates. Right-handed starting pitcher Trevor Williams left the game with two out in the fourth complaining of discomfort in his right side.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Padres. The Pirates had taken a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth when catcher Elias Diaz scored on a wild pitch by Padres reliever Adam Warren, after advancing to third on a throwing error by Padre's third baseman Greg Garcia.

Eric Hosmer singled with one out in the bottom of the sixth and advanced to second when Wil Myers drew a two-out walk from Rodriguez. Kinsler, whose batting average had tumbled to .166 after his first two at-bats in the game, then drove a 1-2 slider off the second-deck balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. building in left. Warren (3-1) got credit for the win. Kirby Yates earned his 17th save in as many chances with a perfect ninth inning. Rodriguez (0-3) took the loss.

The Padres took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Franmil Reyes homered to centre on a full-count fastball from Williams, who allowed two hits and a walk with five strikeouts before he departed. Pittsburgh tied the game in the fifth. After a leadoff double off Padres starter Eric Lauer, Kevin Newman moved to third on a Francisco Liriano single and scored on an Adam Frazier groundout.

Lauer allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and no walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The Pirates pulled to within a run on Gregory Polanco's solo homer off Padres reliever Robbie Erlin in the seventh.

(With inputs from agencies.)