The San Diego Padres came out of the All-Star break running on all cylinders, sweeping the Diamondbacks, and extending their lead in the NL West from two to four games. They outscored Arizona 26-10 seeing contributions from the top to bottom of the lineup. Their next game is in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 20^th. Here is a game-by-game recap of their sweep over the rival Rattlers

July 16^th, 2010 Padres 12 D-Backs 1

WP Jon Garland (9-6) 6IP 3H 1R 1ER 2BB 5K 0HR

LP Dan Haren (7-8) 5Ip 8H 6R 6ER 1BB 8K 2HR

The Arizona Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before giving up 12 unanswered runs to the hot-hitting San Diego Padres to start second half of the 2010 season. The Padres took the lead with a five run fourth inning highlighted by Adrian Gonzalez’s 2-run homer. His 19^th long ball of the year was also joined Chase Headley’s seventh to deep right field an inning later.

Scott Hairston added two runs in the seventh inning doubling in Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley.

The Padres scored four runs in the eighth on just one hit. Jordan Norberto walked three of the first four batters he faced to load the bases prompting interim manager Kurt Gibson to bring in Aaron Heilman. Heilman proceeded with a four pitch walk to Nick Hundley to bring in a run before hitting Scott Hairston and walking Tony Gwynn Jr. to score two more. Everth Cabrera singled in one more for the Friars’ 12^th run of the game.

Jon Garland pitched six strong innings yielding only three hits. Edward Mujica pitched the eighth without allowing a homerun. The ninth inning saw the season debut of Ernest Frieri. The Portland Beavers’ saves leader struck out two allowing no baserunners.

July 17^th, 2010 Padres 8 D-Backs 5

WP Clayton Richard (7-4) 6.33IP 9H 5R 5ER 2BB 6K 1HR

LP Rodrigo Lopez (5-8) 6IP 6H 6R 6ER 3BB 3K 4HR

S Heath Bell (25) 1IP 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 0K 0HR

Clayton Richard got touched up for five runs but had plenty of support as the Padres’ offense kept rolling in Saturday’s 8-5 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Yorvit Torrealba had four runs batted in including a two-run homer to lead San Diego’s offensive attack. Adrian Gonzalez gave the Padres the lead for good with his 20^th round-tripper of the season giving the Pads a 6-5 advantage.

In the sixth Tony Gwynn added a little breathing room with an inside the park home run. Chase Headley highlighted a two-run eighth tripling in Adrian Gonzalez. Headley went 3-4 earlier finishing just a triple short of the Padres’ first cycle in franchise history.

Adam Laroche led Arizona going 2-4 with two RBI’s. He left three teammates on base. Rodrigo Lopez gave up four homeruns before exiting unceremoniously. He surrendered Jerry Hairston Jr.’s seventh of the season along with the three mentioned above.

July 18^th, 2010 Padres 6 D-Backs 4

WP Kevin Correia (6-6) 7H 3R 3ER 2BB 9K 2HR

LP Edwin Jackson (6-8) 6.33IP 9H 4R 4ER 4BB 7K 1HR

S Heath Bell (26) 1IP 2H 1R 1ER 1BB 2K 0HR

Kevin Correia got his first win since May 31^st, and Chris Denorfia went 4-4 with two round-trippers to help complete the sweep of Arizona Sunday at Petco Park.

Correia tied a career high with nine strikeouts surrendering three runs in six and a third innings pitched. Heath Bell came in the ninth with a three run lead. After striking out the first two batters Bell gave up a run on a walk and two hits before getting Mike Montero to groundout to shortstop Jerry Hairston Jr. who began the game at second base.

That’s because starting shortstop Everth Cabrera was ejected after getting into a minor skirmish with the Diamondbacks Mark Reynolds after being picked off at third on a throw from the catcher. Cabrera just gave the Padres a 4-3 lead tripling in Chris Denorfia. Cabrera and Reynold’s legs tangled on the pickoff in what seemed Cabrera inadvertently kicked the D-Backs third baseman. Reynold retaliated with a shove and a swing while Cabrera backed away appearing to avoid getting hit from behind by an incoming D-Back. Both benches and bullpens cleared. After all was sorted out Cabrera was tossed and Reynolds stayed.

Luis Durango scored on a throwing error after Gwynn’s bunt single to put the Padres up by three in the eighth. Durango and Gwynn stole two bases apiece with their second coming in the eighth, respectively. Denorfia hit his second homer of the game to lead off the inning. It was Denorfia’s first career multi-homer game.