San Diego, CA (My Sportsbook) - Nick Hundley smacked a three-run homer and Clayton Richard tossed six-plus innings of scoreless ball to lead the San Diego Padres past the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0, in the second test of a four-game set at Petco Park.

Richard (3-0) gave up five hits with six strikeouts and three walks to remain perfect in a Padres uniform. Richard has yet to lose since joining the Padres in the July 31 trade with the Chicago White Sox that sent former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy to the Windy City. This was Richard's fifth start with San Diego.

"I just threw strikes early and the defense really helped out," Richard said.

Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in the other run for the Padres, who snapped a nine- game skid to the Cardinals. Will Venable went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the victors.

Kyle Lohse (5-8) gave up three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in four innings of work before leaving the game in the fifth with an apparent groin injury after running out a single.

"The groin isn't too bad, but there was no way I was going to keep [pitching]," Lohse said.

No Cardinals player had more than one hit in the game, as the club had just five hits total.

Hundley's three-run homer in the second proved to be all the Padres needed. Venable doubled and Kyle Blanks singled before Hundley went deep to left. Lohse retired the next three batters in order to prevent further damage.

In the top of the fifth, Rick Ankiel hit a two-out single. Lohse followed with a single of his own, but he seemed to strain his groin as he made his way to first. The trainer and St. Louis manager Tony La Russa came onto the field to check on Lohse.

Joel Pineiro, who got the win in a 5-1 Cardinals victory on Thursday, came on as a pinch-runner. Dennys Reyes came on as the new St. Louis pitcher in the bottom of the inning.

Kouzmanoff's RBI single in the eighth accounted for the final margin.

Game Notes

Prior to the game, the Padres honored Ted Leitner as he celebrates his 30th year as a Padres broadcaster. He is in his 32nd year as a San Diego broadcaster overall and 29th season working alongside Padres Hall of Famer Jerry Coleman. Leitner's play-by-play credits include the NFL's San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, the NBA's San Diego Clippers, the University of Oklahoma, University of Connecticut and San Diego State University. Leitner threw the ceremonial first pitch before the game...The Cardinals have now won 12 of their last 14 encounters with the Padres.