Padres Try Again to Start Win Streak

CINCINNATI — The way the San Diego Padres have been playing, any win--even one over the sputtering Cincinnati Reds--is reason for hope.

Tony Gwynn had three hits, including a two-run homer, as the Padres ended a four-game losing streak Saturday with a 6-2 victory over the major leagues’ worst team.

“It’s a start,” Gwynn said. “We’re not completely turned around. We just got punished at Wrigley Field.

“We’ve had this one-game winning streak a lot this year. We’ve not stringing them together. We’ve got to put four or five games together where we do everything well. We haven’t been able to do that all year.”

Craig Shipley hit a solo homer off Kent Mercker (1-4) and Gwynn added a two-run homer off Mike Remlinger as the Padres won for only the third time in their last 14 road games.

Joey Hamilton (2-1), who had been on the disabled list since April 23 because of shoulder tendinitis, was activated before the game and gave up five hits and one run over five innings. He pitched out of a bases-loaded threat in the fifth inning, when he gave up an infield single and hit two batters.

Lenny Harris hit a solo homer for the Reds, who have lost eight of their last nine home games.