The Padres (80-61) snapped a virtual tie for the top spot in the division, taking a one-game lead over the Giants (80-63) after dropping the first two in the four-game set. San Francisco pulled within one percentage point of San Diego with Friday night's 1-0 win.  Stauffer, the club's long reliever, made just his third start of the season but was sensational. He yielded three hits and pitched out of his only jam in the second.  Torrealba's fifth homer in the third inning landed in the right-field porch and helped San Diego win for just the fourth time in 16 games.  The struggling Padres have not been out of first place since June 16. San Francisco took advantage of San Diego's recent 10-game losing streak to trim 5 games off the lead, which was 6 games on Aug. 25.  San Diego has 21 games remaining and the Giants have 19 left.  Madison Bumgarner (FSY) (5-5) pitched seven innings for San Francisco, surrendering three hits. The rookie left-hander retired 13 straight batters after Torrealba's homer.  Stauffer made an emergency start Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers in place of an ill Mat Latos (FSY) and pitched four strong innings as the Padres snapped their 10-game skid with a 4-2 win.  The right-hander was even better against the Giants.  Stauffer worked his way out of the only jam he faced in the second when Jose Guillen (FSY) reached on a one-out double, Pat Burrell (FSY) drew a walk and Juan Uribe (FSY) singled to load the bases. Stauffer got Edgar Renteria (FSY) on a popup and retired Bumgarner on a grounder.  Luke Gregerson (FSY), Mike Adams (FSY) and Heath Bell (FSY) each pitched a hitless inning in the Padres' 18th shutout of the season. Bell earned his 40th save in 43 chances.  The Giants threatened in the ninth when Bell plunked Aubrey Huff (FSY) with one out. Huff also was hit by a pitch Friday night and came around to score the game's only run.  But San Diego held on for the victory when Bell struck out Buster Posey (FSY) and Torrealba cut down pinch-runner Darren Ford (FSY) attempting to steal second on the pitch, ending the game.  Torrealba finished with two of the Padres' four hits.  It was the sixth 1-0 victory for San Diego this season and the 14th consecutive game that the Padres were held to four or fewer runs.  San Francisco, which had won nine of 12, hasn't been in first place since May 6.  Bumgarner has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts.  NOTES: Bell reached 40 saves for the second straight season after getting 42 last year. ... Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval (FSY) was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight game. Sandoval is hitting .167 (3-for-18) on the first eight games of a 10-game road trip. Manager Bruce Bochy said Sandoval is expected to start in Sunday's finale. ... Padres manager Bud Black said utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. (right elbow sprain) and CF Tony Gwynn Jr. (fractured right hamate) will both travel with the club when they start a 10-game road trip Monday in Colorado. Both players are expected to come off the 15-day disabled list and see action.  You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference.
The San Diego Padres held onto first place in the NL West, beating the second-place San Francisco Giants 1-0 Saturday behind the pitching of Tim Stauffer and a solo home run by Yorvit Torrealba.