The Skinny: Diamondback killer Jody Gerut jacked a two-run homer off of Diamondbacks’ reliever Jon Rauch in the bottom of the 9th inning, giving the San Diego Padres a 4-2 win in the opening game of a 3-game series at Petco Park. Rauch got into trouble with two outs in the inning, when Luis Rodriguez singled, bringing up Gerut, who ended the game with a long ball to right field. Rauch took the loss in the ballgame, spoiling another well-pitched game by Dan Haren. Haren did allow 8 hits, but only 2 runs in 7 innings while striking out 11. The win for the Padres snaps a 7-game losing streak. The Diamondbacks have now lost 3 of their last 4.

More on Gerut: Gerut, who was out of the majors for two seasons in 2006 and 2007, came into the game hitting .478 (11 for 23) against the D-Backs this season. He was only 1 for 5 on the night, but the hit was a big one, and lifted the Padres to the win. He now has hit 3 of his 14 homers this season against the Diamondbacks, the last two have come against Rauch.

Diamondbacks Player of the Game: Haren. Not only did the right hander pitch well, but he had 2 of the Diamondbacks’ 5 hits in the game.

Repercussions: The Diamondbacks again failed to take advantage of the ice-cold Dodgers losing again. Los Angeles was shut out 5-0 by Philadelphia, who completed a 4-game sweep. The Diamondbacks still lead the NL West by 3 games, with the Dodgers heading to Washington for a series with the Nationals before heading to the Valley this weekend.

MLB.com : Recap | Boxscore

Here’s what others are saying about the Padres dramatic victory over the Diamondbacks…

Game 2 of the series is Tuesday night, with Brandon Webb toeing the rubber for Arizona, trying to become the first 20-game winner in baseball. San Diego will counter with rookie Chad Reineke. First pitch is at 7:05 PM Arizona time.