SAN DIEGO – Nick Hundley believes this past week is what he is capable of, and the San Diego Padres hope he is right.
Hundley continued his red-hot hitting since coming off the disabled list as he homered, doubled twice, collected four hits and scored three runs in the Padres' 14-1 rout of the Florida Marlins on Saturday night.
Hundley had plenty of company as the Padres pounded out 16 hits, including eight for extra bases, and handed the slumping Marlins their 14th loss in 16 games. San Diego beat the Marlins for the sixth straight time this season while outscoring them 44-11 in that span.
Orlando Hudson homered and drove in four runs, and Aaron Harang (12-3) combined with two relievers on a four-hitter.
For Hundley, the past week has been a welcomed change after he had arthroscopic surgery on his right throwing elbow on July 28.
"It's definitely nice to be healthy and to be able to do everything I want in my preparation and out on the field," Hundley said.
Since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 12, Hundley has hit safely in seven of eight games while batting .536 (15 of 28) with four doubles, three triples, two home runs and five RBIs.
"I think your are seeing some guys put some at-bats together, especially for the younger guys to show what they can do," Padres manager Bud Black said. "For Nick and some guys, who have been here for a couple of years, to continue to solidify themselves as guys who want to be regular, every day players."
Hudson connected for a three-run shot in the first inning. One pitch later, Kyle Blanks homered into the second deck of the brick Western Metals Supply Co. building in the left field.
Hundley's two-run drive came in the sixth.
Harang (12-3) won for the third time in four starts. He gave up three hits, including Jose Lopez's homer in the sixth, in six innings. The righty walked five walked and struck out six.
Cameron Maybin had three hits for the Padres and Blanks, Will Venable and Logan Forsythe each drove in two runs.
San Diego, which has scored the most runs in the NL since the All-Star break, has reached double figures in hits in nine of the past 16 games. The Padres are averaging more than six runs in that stretch.
The Marlins fell behind in the first inning when San Diego scored four times off Clay Hensley (1-5).
"I felt like I was making some good pitches," Hensley said. "But any pitch that was remotely up, they hit. Any mistake that I made, I didn't get away with."
Florida has allowed 12 first-inning runs in its last four games. In their six games against the Padres this season, the Marlins have allowed 16 first-inning runs.
"It's tough. It's getting embarrassing," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "Before we get to the second inning, we're behind three or four runs. It gets kind of old."
Hensley, winless in six starts, allowed a season-high seven runs on seven hits in 3 2-3 innings.
Omar Infante returned for Florida after missing 14 games with a fractured right middle finger. He went hitless in four at-bats.
NOTES: The Padres have beaten Florida 14 of 18 times overall dating to August 2009. ... The Marlins have allowed 97 first-inning runs, tops in the majors. ... Hundley's home run was the 1,000th hit in Petco Park since it opened in 2004. ... Hensley made his major league debut with San Diego in 2005 and pitched four seasons with the Padres. ... In Sunday's series finale, Marlins right-hander Anibal Sanchez (7-6, 3.97 ERA) will try for his second straight win after snapping a career-high 11-start winless streak in his last outing. He will be opposed by Padres' lefty Corey Luebke (5-6, 2.99), who has held left-handed batters to the third-lowest batting average in the majors at .147 (17 for 116).
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.