Padres shoot for sweep of defending champs

Jason Marquis tries to lead the San Diego Padres to a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Sunday at Petco Park.

San Diego won its third straight game in dramatic fashion on Saturday, as Marco Scutaro's fielding error allowed the winning run to score in the bottom of the 12th inning, lifting the Padres to an 8-7 victory.

Yonder Alonso smacked a one-out double to start the rally before Jedd Gyorko singled to right to put runners on the corners. Nick Hundley then followed with a sharp grounder to second that Scutaro was unable to handle, allowing Alonso to race home for the winning run.

"Wins like this give you life. They give you an opportunity to build some momentum," Alonso said.

Joe Thatcher (1-0) stranded runners on second and third in the top of the 12th to earn the victory. San Diego starter Eric Stults allowed five runs on four hits over four frames.

Alonso finished with three doubles, two RBI and two runs scored, while Chris Denorfia also plated a pair for the Padres, who will try to sweep the Giants for the first time since 2010.

Brandon Crawford clubbed a three-run homer and Hunter Pence added a two-run triple for the Giants, who have dropped four straight.

Sergio Romo (1-2) was tagged with the loss after giving up the deciding run in the 12th. Barry Zito made the start for San Francisco and gave up six runs -- one earned -- on six hits over 3 2/3 innings.

"He just couldn't get the last out in the fourth," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He was cruising until then."

Marquis lost to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, as he allowed seven runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings. He also walked four batters and fell to 1-2 on the year to go along with a 4.63 ERA.

"I've been battling for a while," Marquis said. "When you throw balls out over the middle of the plate with not much on them, that's obviously what happens. I've just got to focus on getting better.

"I just don't feel comfortable on the mound."

Marquis has faced the Giants 15 times (14 starts) and is 6-5 with a 2.94 ERA.

Getting the call for San Francisco will be righty Ryan Vogelsong, who is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA. Vogelsong did not get a decision on Monday against Arizona, as he surrendered four runs and seven hits in seven innings of a 5-4 win.

He is 3-3 lifetime versus the Padres with a 5.61 ERA in 14 games (6 starts).

The Giants swept the Padres last weekend.