Padres take Game 1 of Series

(San Diego, CA) — The San Diego Padres scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning and went on to beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 at Petco Park last night. The game was tied at two before Jackson Merrill smoked a three-run double to put San Diego up for good. The play was set up by an error from starting and losing pitcher Zebby Matthews, who worked five innings of four-hit ball. San Diego right-hander Michael King settled in to earn his 11th win, striking out six and holding Minnesota to two runs on four hits in six innings. San Diego has won five of seven to improve to 71-55. The 70-55 Twins have lost two in a row and are now two-and-a-half-games behind Cleveland in the A-L Central Division. Kansas City has moved into a tie with Minnesota for second-place, also at 70-55. Game two of the four-game series is tonight at 8:40 P-M in San Diego.