Ian Kennedy shuts down Giants as Padres avoid road sweep

SAN FRANCISCO -- Austin Hedges finally returned to the clubhouse at pitcher Josh Johnson's urging, then was told to climb into a laundry cart for his quick ride to the bathroom. There, teammates doused him with beer, baby powder and shaving cream.

He certainly earned a celebration after a successful first start at catcher in the San Diego Padres' 9-1 victory against San Francisco on Wednesday.

"I hadn't heard about that," Hedges said of the postgame shower. "They were yelling at me for taking too long to get back in the clubhouse. I didn't know what was going on."

Hedges caught Ian Kennedy's strong outing, drove in two runs -- including an RBI single in the decisive five-run third for his first major league hit -- and even threw out a runner, all with his parents and an aunt and uncle in the stands at AT&T Park to see it.

Still, after all that, Hedges had a rookie chore: Carry out a large tray of food for the flight to Phoenix.

"He had a great day," manager Bud Black said.

Kennedy struck out five in seven innings to win his second straight start as the Padres avoided a sweep and snapped the Giants' eight-game home winning streak.

The right-hander wanted to give it a little extra for Hedges, speaking to his catcher Tuesday night and game-planning between each inning.

"He pitched his butt off today. If any of that was on my behalf then that just shows the kind of guy he is," Hedges said. "He took me under his wing."

Hedges added a sacrifice fly in the eighth. He earned his first start at catcher, two days after being called up from Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

He also threw out Nori Aoki at second following his RBI single in the third, and Kennedy (2-1) pointed to the catcher acknowledging the heads-up play.

At 22 years, 261 days, Hedges became the youngest catcher to start a game for San Diego since Ben Davis made 71 starts in 1999 beginning at 22 years, 106 days.

Matt Kemp hit a run-scoring double in the third to end a 22-inning scoreless stretch by the Padres and 29 innings by Giants pitchers.

"We were due," Black said.

Wil Myers had an RBI triple among his three hits, Jedd Gyorko added an RBI double and run-scoring single, and Justin Upton drew a career-high four walks.

The Giants tried to get in touch with Hall of Famer Willie Mays on his 84th birthday and showed highlights between innings of the Say Hey Kid on the big screen. He watched from home as public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon led "Happy Birthday" in the middle of the fifth.

"He's the face of the Giants," manager Bruce Bochy said.

Kennedy didn't walk a batter, gave up six hits and improved to 10-4 in 22 starts against the Giants. He left his start in the April 9 home opener against San Francisco with a strained left hamstring and went on the disabled list. He lost his first start back.

"I feel I'm back where I was at the end of spring training," Kennedy said.

Alexi Amarista doubled for one of his three hits and drove in a run, Cory Spangenberg hit three singles as San Diego's bats got going against Chris Heston (2-3) after being shut out the previous two nights and going 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Heston, who made his first career start against the Padres last Sept. 28, allowed 11 hits to match his season high, five runs, struck out four and walked three in five innings. The Giants had their five-game winning streak snapped with just their fifth loss in 16 games following an eight-game skid.

The Giants missed getting a third straight sweep at AT&T Park, something they haven't done at home since May 6-22, 2011, against Colorado, Arizona and Cincinnati.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: Black plans to give his starters an extra day of rest after Monday's off day.

Giants: RHP Jake Peavy, on the disabled list with a strained back, is slated to throw a bullpen session on Friday then the Giants will likely send him on a rehab assignment. ... RF Hunter Pence (fractured left forearm) is scheduled to hit live batting practice Thursday.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP Odrisamer Despaigne makes his third start of the season and seventh appearance against the Diamondbacks.

Giants: Coming off his first win of the year, RHP Tim Hudson (1-2) looks to improve on his 15-4 career mark against the Marlins. Hudson has won his last six against Miami.

MORSE'S RING

Marlins first baseman Michael Morse will receive his World Series ring Thursday from Bochy.

"He was a lot of fun, great teammate," Bochy said. "I'll look forward to seeing him and look forward to giving him his ring."