SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Just as Eric Stults figured, the San Francisco Giants came out aggressive from the first pitch.
And, just like that, San Diego’s left-hander had fallen behind in the first inning of a 6-0 loss Tuesday night, surrendering a leadoff home run to Angel Pagan and Buster Posey’s shot two batters later.
It didn’t get much better, and Stults’ day was done after 2 2-3 innings. He allowed five runs and seven hits in his shortest start since April 29, 2009, when he also lasted 2 2-3 innings against the Giants at AT&T Park.
“Tonight I didn’t execute many pitches. I was down in the zone the first time I played them,” Stults said. “I knew they were probably going to be aggressive. They usually come out swinging early.”
Yusmeiro Petit shut down San Diego over six impressive innings despite learning an hour before the game he would start in place of injured ace Matt Cain.
Petit (2-1) didn’t allow a hit until Everth Cabrera’s leadoff single in the fourth.
“That’s my job,” said Petit, who was one out from a perfect game last September against Arizona shortly after joining the rotation. “I’m prepared for it any time for that, one moment before the game telling me ’You’re going to start the game.’ I’ve done it before. It’s normal for me.”
Cain was scratched after cutting the tip of his right index finger. Cain was in the clubhouse kitchen making a sandwich and had a knife in his hand when the utensil dropped. Cain tried to catch it and cut his finger about a half-inch at the tip. He took batting practice, but then tried to throw and kept opening the cut.
He expects to make his next start, Monday at Pittsburgh.
“It’s obviously really, really bad timing,” Cain said. “Petit did an unbelievable job today. He picked it up and the guys scored a bunch of runs. Hopefully this isn’t a big deal … and it should be fine in a couple days.”
Hector Sanchez, starting at catcher with Posey at first base, hit a two-run single and a sacrifice fly.
Petit allowed three hits with four strikeouts and no walks. It was his first start not allowing a run since he tossed a 1-hitter last Sept. 6 at home against Arizona. He lowered his ERA from 3.68 to 2.61.
Jean Machi pitched two innings and Santiago Casilla finished the 2-hour, 28-minute, three-hitter, San Francisco’s second shutout this season. The Padres were blanked for the fourth time.
Pagan sent a 1-1 pitch from Stults (1-3) just inside the left-field foul pole for his second homer, then Posey hit his sixth one out later.
Padres reliever Donn Roach delivered 4 1-3 innings of relief, and doubled in the sixth for his first major league hit.
“Donn was the savior. This game could have really gotten out of hand,” manager Bud Black said. “The state of the guys in the bullpen is critical. Donn did a great job. To ask him to go four-plus innings and be as effective as he was was a huge lift for our pen.”
San Diego’s Yasmani Grandal made his first career start at first base as Black gave struggling Yonder Alonso a break.
San Diego will try to win Wednesday’s rubber game for their first road series victory this year and snap a nine-series winless streak at AT&T Park dating to a three-game series here from Oct. 1-3, 2010, one that sealed the Giants’ division title on the way to the city’s first World Series championship.
NOTES: Home run king Barry Bonds made an appearance at the ballpark. … Padres OF Seth Smith was available off the bench but missed his fourth straight start as he nurses a strained groin sustained Thursday night against the Nationals. Black said it was “a very good chance” he could start Wednesday. … Giants RHP Tim Hudson tries for his fourth victory, facing LHP Robbie Erlin (1-3). … It was an usually warm 76 degrees at first pitch.
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