Padres Win, But Hoffman Blows Record

In 41 straight save chances, Trevor Hoffman had been perfect. Then on one pitch, his streak ended and so did his bid to set a major league record.

The San Diego closer gave up a home run to Moises Alou on his first delivery in the ninth inning Sunday, tying the game. The Padres wound up beating Houston 5-4 in the 10th, but Hoffman blew his chance at history.

Hoffman entered the game to the loud sounds of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" playing over the public address system, just as he did Saturday when he pitched a hitless ninth to match the consecutive save record of 41 set by San Francisco's Rod Beck from 1993-95.

After the music, most of the 41,034 fans stood to cheer for Hoffman. There was just silence, however, after Alou connected for his 25th homer of the season to tie it at 4.

"That pitch could have happened 20 saves ago," Hoffman said. "You can't second-guess yourself. All good things must come to an end. It's been a lot of fun along the way and now it's time to start a new (streak)."

Alou had gone 3-for-12 with one homer in 12 previous at-bats lifetime against Hoffman who had recorded 33 saves this season before homering over the left-field wall. It was Hoffman's first blown save since last Aug. 22.

Hoffman had fanned Alou on Saturday for the final out in the Padres' 6-5 victory.

"That's the way the game of baseball is," Hoffman said. "You may be knocked one day, but you're going to be given the opportunity real quick to come back. Mo is the consummate professional and he did what he was supposed to with the pitch I gave him."

The streak ended with a fastball that Hoffman said was supposed to be down and out but instead went more to the middle of the plate.

"He was trying to get ahead of me," Alou said. "He did the same thing (Saturday) and he got ahead of me with a fastball. This time, I was looking for it. I got it and I hit it."

It was the first homer allowed by Hoffman in 47 innings this season.

"He's in a lot of tight ballgames, facing a lot of tough hitters," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "It does show how impressive that (streak) was, the way it ended suddenly. I've always said the toughest three outs to get are the last three."

The Padres won in the 10th when Andy Sheets' two-out single scored Ruben Rivera from second base.

Rivera hit a two-out double off Mike Magnante (3-5), dropping a fly ball between second baseman Craig Biggio and right fielder Richard Hildago. Carlos Hernandez was intentionally walked before Sheets, who entered the game in the top of the inning, singled to left.

"That ball was up in the air too long (on the double)," Biggio said. "It has to be caught."

Donne Wall (4-2) picked up the victory afer replacing Hoffman to start the 10th.

Ken Caminiti had a two-run homer and three RBIs to help the Padres (69-36) move 33 games above .500 for the first time in club history. San Diego won for the 12th time in 15 games.

The Padres took the last two of three games in a series matching NL division leaders, while the Astros finished the season series with a 5-4 edge.

Kevin Brown allowed three runs on seven hits with no walks in eight innings. He matched a career-high with 10 strikeouts and he fanned at least eight for the seventh consecutive game, increasing his season total to 159, third in the NL.

Brown has allowed 27 earned runs in 90 2-3 innings, encompassing 12 starts and one relief appearance. He was bidding to become the first San Diego pitcher to win 10 straight since Andy Benes in 1991.

Alou's homer saved Mike Hampton from losing his third straight decision in the five starts since he returned from the disabled list after recovering from a strained left groin muscle. He gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings.

Since his return, Hampton has allowed 22 earned runs in 28 1-3 innings.

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