Giants, Chris Stratton roughed up by Padres

SAN DIEGO - Wil Myers wants to have a strong finish to a challenging season.

Myers hit a two-run homer to highlight a five-run second inning and lead the San Diego Padres to an 8-4 win over the Giants on Wednesday night.

“I feel like I’m headed in the right direction,” Myers said.

Considered the face of the franchise before Eric Hosmer was acquired in the offseason, Myers has bounced around from the corner outfield spots, to an occasion start at first base to now being the regular third baseman. More so than the position changes, however, it’s his three stints on the disabled list which cost him 70 games that derailed his season.

“It was a good day for Wil,” Padres manager Andy Green said, while noting Myers’ defensive play, too. “He’s definitely had stops and starts to this season, mostly because of injuries.”

Freddy Galvis also homered and Robbie Erlin pitched five solid innings as the Padres avoided a three-game sweep. Galvin has hit in five straight games and has pulled out of a recent rut.

“His hitting has picked back up,” Green said. “The way he grinds, he fights through the lows and comes back. He is a great example for the young guys.”

Added Galvis: “The last couple of games I’ve got my timing back.”

Galvis hit a three-run shot in the eighth as San Diego won for the second time in 10 meetings against San Francisco.

Erlin (4-7) beat the Giants for the first time and snapped a career-high four-start losing streak. The left-hander allowed three runs on five hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. His last victory came against the Rockies on Aug. 21.

Four Padres relievers allowed one run over the final four innings as San Diego ended its six-game homestand at 2-4.

Chris Stratton (10-9), who was coming off his first career shutout, was gone after three innings. Soon after putting the Giants ahead with a three-run double, Stratton, who was trying to beat the Padres for the second time this season, was replaced after surrendering five runs on six hits and a walk.

“I just don’t think my fastball command was very good,” Stratton said. “Sometimes it’s going to be there, and sometimes it’s not. You’ve got to battle with what you’ve got.”

Rookie Armies Garcia’s third homer in eight starts pulled the Giants within 5-4 in the eighth. Garcia has hit safely in nine of his first 10 career games.

Trainer’s room

Giants: 1B Brandon Belt (knee) returned to San Francisco to be evaluated by team doctors, with a strong possibility that he will undergo ?season-ending surgery.