Padres beat Giants, extend win streak to four games

Robbie Ray made his return to Oracle Park for the first time since being traded from the San Francisco Giants to the San Diego Padres at the Trade Deadline. He nearly squandered a 7-1 lead, but did just enough to limit the Giants and lead the Padres to a 7-5 win on Friday.

Ray had his typical outing where he issued hits and walks, but as has been the case since arriving in San Diego, he was unable to limit the damage. He allowed a first inning run but San Diego responded with two runs in the top of the second and five runs in the top of the third to give him a 7-1 lead. Ray worked through the bottom of the third and the bottom of the fourth without much issue, but found big trouble in the bottom of the fifth.

The right-gander allowed a leadoff double to Andrew Knizner and then issued back-to-back walks to Christian Koss and Jonah Cox. Rafael Devers came to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out and golfed on 0-1 knuckle curve over the right field wall to get the Giants back in the game with a grand slam to make the score 7-5. Ray bounced back to get the next three batters and completed his outing with five runs allowed on four hits through five innings. He issued four walks and had five strikeouts.

It was another disappointing outing for Ray in a Padres uniform. It followed his last outing against the New York Yankees where he lasted just 2.1 innings and allowed five runs on five hits. He also issued four walks in that game. Ray has now made seven starts for San Diego and has a record of 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA. He has allowed 29 hits but has alarmingly allowed 24 walks in 33.2 innings pitched. Ray also has accumulated 25 strikeouts over that time. Those are not the numbers San Diego or the Friar Faithful were hoping to see from the deadline acquisition, but the offense gave him just enough room to survive his return to his former home field.

Jackson Merrill was a big part of the Padres offense once again. He finished 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and two runs scored. Dustin Harris had his best offensive night as a Padre. He finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI. Freddy Fermin also chipped in with a two-hit game with two RBI.

San Diego will look to win the series and keep their playoff position when they play the second game of the series against San Francisco today at 1:05 p.m.

• San Diego had a big week with a bigger home stand that allowed them to climb back into playoff position.

San Diego had a big week with a bigger home stand that allowed them to climb back into playoff position.

The El Paso Chihuahuas and San Antonio Missions both suffered losses.

• Mason McCoy returned to the big league roster with Ty France landing on the Paternity List.

Mason McCoy returned to the big league roster with Ty France landing on the Paternity List.

• The Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays each clinched playoff berths with wins on Friday.

The Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays each clinched playoff berths with wins on Friday.

• The AL Central playoff race got tighter with the Chicago White Sox dropping their fourth game in a row.

The AL Central playoff race got tighter with the Chicago White Sox dropping their fourth game in a row.