The O-Dog saved the day for the Padres, giving them their first walk-off win of the young 2011 season. The Padres were able to execute in key situations a la the 90 win team that collected 11 wins in their final at-bat here in Petco Park in 2010.

Hudson’s game winner will send the Padres to Houston on a high note as they fly to Houston to start a seven game road trip with four games against the Astros on Thursday.

The Padres lost a hard fought series against the Reds where their offensive ineffectiveness was becoming more apparent by the day. The Padres were two for 13 with the bases loaded this year before Hudson’s hit, including 0-3 the previous night in which a hit or sacrifice fly would have won the game, before Cincinnati blew it open in the 11^th inning.

San Diego will look to improve on their 5-6 record in the lone star state before heading to Wrigley Field for the final three days before returning home on the 21^st.

Here’s a recap of the final series of the homestand.

April 11^th, 2011, Reds 3, Padres 2

WP Edinson Volquez (2-0) 6IP 3H 2R 2ER 3BB 5K 0HR

LP Mat Latos (0-1) 6IP 4H 3R 3ER 2BB 7K 2HR

S Francisco Cordero (2) 1IP 1H 0R 0ER 0BB 1K 0HR

Mat Latos pitched effectively but was out-dueled by Edison Volquez as the Padres dropped the series opener 3-2 on Monday. Latos struck out seven and looked like his dominating self during his record-breaking stretch of the 2010 season in his season debut, striking out seven carrying a no-hitter into the through three innings.

Mat hung a curveball inside to Johnny Gomes that he hit off the Western Metal Supply building to cut the lead in half in the third. Two innings later Chris Heisey pulled a two-run shot off a fastball in the same location to give the Reds a two run lead.

The Padres offense spotted two runs for Latos but was unable to score the rest of the game. The Padres loaded the bases to in the first with back to back singles by Will Venable and Orlando Hudson followed by a walk by Chase Headley. Ryan Ludwick then took one for the team getting hit by a pitch to bring in Venable. Brad Hawpe then hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring in O-Dog. Hot hitting Nick Hundley grounded into a double play to end the Padres rally.

The Padres had an opportunity to tie the game in the th with a leadoff double by shortstop Alberto Gonzalez.

Chris Denorfia bunted the ball weakly in front of home plate in which catcher Ramon Hernandez picked up the ball and threw out Gonzalez sliding into third base. Replay showed that Gonzalez appeared to have both feet hit the bag before the tag but was called out by umpire Paul Schrieber.

The inning then ended when Denorfia was called out at second while stealing after Jorge Cantu struck out swinging.

April 12^th, 2011 Reds 8, Padres 2

WP Logan Ondrusek (2-0) 1.2IP 2H 0R 0ER 2BB 2K 0HR

LP Cory Luebke (0-1) 1IP 5H 6R 6ER 1BB 0K 1HR

Cincinnati exploded for six runs in the 11^th inning on Tuesday to run away from San Diego in a game the Padres had several chances to win.

Ryan Hannigan doubled home Jonny Gomes from first base with two outs to take the lead 3-2 in the 12^th. But that was only the beginning. Corey Luebke then walked Jay Bruce before giving up consecutive singles to Chris Heisey and Edgar Rentaria, scoring two more runs. Drew Srubbs then capped off the inning to give the Reds an insurmountable 8-2 advantage.

The Padres loaded the bases in the ninth when Nick Hundley walked with two outs. Cameron Maybin then hit the ball sharply to right but was caught by Bruce to end the rally and send it to extras.

Fast forward to the 10^th the Friars once again had the bases loaded but this time with one out and new number-three hitter Chase Headley at plate. Headley was unable to get the runner in as he struck out swinging for the second out. Ryan Ludwick then hit a hard liner to left field almost over the head of a retreating Gomes, who made a leaping stab for the third out and ending the Padres beast chance to win.

Clayton Richard pitched effectively for seven and two thirds innings, striking out four and allowing only five hits after a three day rest. He started the oft rain-delayed game last Friday but only pitched one inning before the game was delayed for the second time.

April 13^th, 2011 Padres 3, Reds 2

WP Heath Bell (1-0) 1IP 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 1K 0HR

LP Nick Massett (0-3) 1.1IP 2H 1R 1ER 3BB 0K 0HR

Orlando Hudson came through where many failed, hitting a walk-off single to give San Diego a 3-2 victory over Cincinnati Wednesday evening.

The Reds appeared to be in control of the game going up 2-0 in the fifth with a RBI double by reigning MVP Joey Votto to make it 2-0.

But the Padres chipped away at the lead when Chase Headley was able to score on a sac fly by Nick Hundley right field with the bases loaded to cut the lead in half.

The Padres got another chance in the eighth when Jason Bartlett lead off with a walk and advanced to second on a throwing error. He was however thrown out at third on a bad bunt attempt by Hudson that was eerily similar to Chris Denorfia’s on Monday night. Both were alike in the ineffectiveness of the bunt, and the apparent blown calls at third.

But Hudson made lemonade out of the lemons he was dealt when he stole second and then advanced to third on catcher Ramon Hernandez’s throwing error. He then scored on Jorge Cantu’s RBI groundout to third to tie the game.

The Padres got going in the ninth when Brad Hawpe drew a one out walk and then advanced to third base on a well-executed hit and run by Nick Hundley. Will Venable then was intentionally walked to load the bases for Bartlett. Bartlett’s grounder to third had Brad Hawpe forced out at home and left the bases loaded for Hudson’s game winning heroics. He lifted the ball to shallow left bringing home Nick Hundley for the game-winning RBI.