Baggs' Instant Replay: Padres 7, Giants 1

BOX SCORE

SAN DIEGOBeanballs were exchanged. Dugouts were warned. Padres third baseman Chase Headley was ejected.

But cmon. This is San Diego on a resplendent Sunday afternoon. How worked up can you get, really?

Despite some of the particulars, the Giants 7-1 loss to the Padres didnt have as much edge or anger. Just a lot of quick outs from the visiting side, and a whole lot of Everth Cabrera that is likely to bleed into Ryan Vogelsongs nightmares.

Cabrera led off the game with a 13-pitch at-bat to set a tone for Vogelsong, who was unable to record an out in the fourth inning. Clayton Richard found a less turbulent route while holding the Giants to an unearned run in eight innings.

The Giants were unable to complete a three-game sweep and they dropped back into second place in the NL West, a half-game behind the Los Angeles Dodgerswhom theyll play the following three days at Chavez Ravine.

Starting pitching report
In his first 19 starts, Vogelsong never allowed more than two runs in a single inning. But hes given up three crooked numbersfour, seven and three -- over his last four outings.

Vogelsong (10-7) threw 96 pitches without recording an out in the fourth inning, and 30 of them were to Everth Cabrera. The Padres pesky leadoff man worked Vogelsong for a 13-pitch at-bat to start the gameall fastballs, the last one finally finding its way past Cabreras swing.

Perhaps that battle took something out of Vogelsong from the very start. He allowed four hits in the first inning, with Carlos Quentin pounding an RBI single and Cameron Maybin lining a hanging, first-pitch slider for a two-run single as the Padres took a 3-0 lead.

Entering the game, Vogelsong had allowed just two runs in the first inning all season.

The Padres stole three bases as part of the rally, too. Catcher Buster Posey threw too high to second base and third base.

It never got much easier for Vogelsong. He hit Quentin to load the bases in the second inning before escaping on Yonder Alonsos ground out. And after Cabrera singled on the 10th pitch of his at-bat to start the fourth inning, Giants manager Bruce Bochy was not eager to see a replay of the first. He pulled Vogelsong and hoped the bullpen could keep the score at 3-1.

After completing six innings in each of his first 21 starts, Vogelsong has been knocked out early twice (2 23 innings vs. Washington on Monday, too).

Bullpen report
The bullpen could not keep it close. The Padres went triple-double-single-strikeout-double against left-hander Jose Mijares in the fifth, with Cabrera providing the two-RBI punch at the end. At least Cabrera was kind enough to double on the first pitch.

At the plate
Clayton Richard found his old spellbook for the Giants. He had been 0-3 with a 7.64 ERA in three starts against them this year, ending a career trend. Prior to this season, he was 5-2 with a 3.09 ERA in eight starts against them and frustrated the Giants to no end as these two teams battled to the 162nd game in 2010.

Richard was on his game again. He held the Giants to an unearned run on five hits in eight innings while improving to 10-12 this season.

The Giants scored their only run in the second inning, when right fielder Will Venable clanked Buster Poseys fly ball. Posey advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Hunter Pences sacrifice fly.

Justin Christian stopped that rally when he hit a foul pop to third base. Christian was removed as part of a double-switch in the fourth; you have to believe the Giants will consider other left field options as they face left-handers Clayton Kershaw and Chris Capuano on Monday and Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

Brandon Belt was plunked by Richard in the fourth inning, and plate umpire Brian ONora warned both dugouts. ONora also showed a quick thumb when Headley argued the strike zone in the third inning; ONora ejected him on the spot.

In field
Pablo Sandoval made his second diving stop in as many games. He left his feet to grab Alonsos hot grounder in the fourth and Brandon Belt made a nice scoop at first base to end the inning.

Padres second baseman Alexi Amarista was the games defensive star, diving to stop a hot shot that Richard deflected to retire Posey in the third. Then Amarista nearly crashed into the Giants busy bullpen while ranging far to catch Angel Pagans foul pop in the seventh.

Attendance
The Padres announced 28,605 paid. The crowd gave a standing ovation to Marines from Delta Company 1st recruit training battalion. Its one of the best Sunday traditions in baseball. Ill take that over a badly sung God Bless America any day.

Up next
The Giants bus to Chavez Ravine for a showdown series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Madison Bumgarner (13-7, 2.97) will oppose left-hander Clayton Kershaw (11-6, 2.90) on Monday. Tim Lincecum (6-12, 5.45) will be under the microscope Tuesday against right-hander Joe Blanton (8-11, 4.96). Matt Cain gets the ball in Wednesdays series finale against left-hander Chris Capuano (11-8, 3.14).