Padres 4, Royals 3
Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run home run to back six steady innings by Mat Latos as the host San Diego Padres held on for a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday in a matchup of last-place teams.
San Diego improved to 3-1 on a six-game homestand after Heath Bell got talented rookie Eric Hosmer to ground out with the tying run on second base in the ninth. It was Bell's 21st save in 22 chances.
Latos (5-8) allowed three runs and seven hits while striking out six to win for the first time in four starts. He also led off the third with his third career double and later scored on a wild pitch.
Petco Park remains the only stadium in which the Royals have yet to win. Alex Gordon extended his hitting streak to 14 games for Kansas City, which was swept in its only other visit there in 2004 – the stadium's inaugural season.
With Jeff Francis (3-9) on the hill, the Royals should have expected the outcome. Francis, the former ace of the Colorado Rockies, has suffered 13 losses to San Diego – his most against any team.
Kansas City cut the lead to 4-3 in the sixth on an RBI double from Brayan Pena, but he was stranded at third when Latos got Billy Butler to ground out to second.