SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kennedy combined with five relievers on an eight-hitter and Matt Kemp and Justin Upton keyed a seven-run seventh inning, leading the San Diego Padres to an 8-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

Kennedy (8-11) allowed the first two runners to reach base in the seventh before three relievers each struck out a batter.

San Diego then sent 12 men to the plate in the bottom of the inning, keyed by Kemp’s two-run, bases-loaded single and Upton’s two-run double, both off reliever Seth Maness, that made it 5-0.

A throwing error by St. Louis third baseman Mark Reynolds then led to three unearned runs in the inning.

The loss reduced St. Louis’ lead in the NL Central to 3 1-2 games over Pittsburgh, which beat San Francisco 3-2.

The Padres, who have won nine of 11, tied their season high with their fifth straight win.

— Associated Press —