Privates :) und Spiel » Mike Mularkey earned a game ball for his first win

SAN DIEGO -- Fighting for a postseason berth, Jeff Samardzija and the San Francisco Giants finally figured out the pesky San Diego Padres.Angel Pagans single broke a scoreless tie in the eighth and Samardzija struck out nine in seven innings for the Giants, who beat the Padres 2-1 on Thursday night to keep pace with the New York Mets for the NL wild card lead.The Mets and Giants took a half-game lead over the idle St. Louis Cardinals in the wild card race. New York beat Philadelphia 9-8 in 11 innings.San Francisco continues to trail Los Angeles by six games in the NL West, but the Dodgers reduced their magic number to four by beating Colorado 7-4.The Giants faced a Padres lineup that included five rookies, three making their big league debut. The Giants snapped a six-game losing streak to the Padres, who have been their nemesis during their second-half skid. The Padres swept the Giants at San Francisco last week and in San Diego in the first series after the All-Star break. The Giants had swept the Padres three times in the first two months of the season.Samardzija joined the Giants as a free agent so he could pitch in games like this.Its great, thats why I signed up to come over here and play, was to be playing in September, important games in September, he said. Thats why we play this game, to compete at the highest level, and with the most on the line.I tried to hang in there in the game long enough and then we squeaked on through there in the eighth. It was a nice way to end it.Samardzija (12-10) allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings, and walked none.Hes a horse, manager Bruce Bochy said. Thats obviously part of the deal, what intrigued us about him, his stuff and how strong he is. Hes really good, throwing the ball well right now, all his pitches locating. Gave us what we needed.Joe Panik, who had been in an 0-for-24 slump, doubled to right-center opening the eighth against Christian Friedrich (5-11). His fly ball ticked off the end of rookie Hunter Renfroes glove, hit the ground and bounced over the fence. Kelby Tomlinson, pinch-hitting for Samardzija, singled to left to put runners on the corners and chase Friedrich. Brad Hand came on and induced Eduardo Nunez to hit into a force, with Panik holding at third. Pagan then hit a blooper that landed just fair and brought in Panik.Renfroe fielded Paniks blooper and made a strong throw, but first baseman Wil Myers cut it off.Since there was no other play there, Wil probably wants to let that ball go, manager Andy Green said. I think hed say that right now. I dont think were accustomed to Hunter Renfroes arm yet. That is a very unique play to see a ball drop on the line like that and see a guy coming up firing like that. I dont know how far up the line it was going to be to Hedgy (Austin Hedges), but I thought it was going to be close enough to be an interesting play at the plate. ... Theres some arm strength there.Hunter Pence doubled with two outs to bring in Nunez.Padres pinch-hitter Alex Dickerson homered off Derek Law with one out in the eighth.Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his second save in as many chances. Schimpf doubled with one out before Renfroe popped up to first base and fellow rookie Carlos Asuaje grounded to short to end it.Padres outfielders Renfroe and Manual Margot, and second baseman Asuaje were making their first big league starts.Renfroe, Margot, Asuaje and Hedges were called up Wednesday from Triple-A El Paso. Renfroe and Asuaje made their big league debuts as pinch-hitters on Wednesday night while Margot made his as a pinch-runner. Hedges made his big league debut last year.Renfroe singled to left for his first career hit in the second and then singled to center in the fifth.Padres reliever Jose Torres made his big league debut when he started the ninth.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: Bochy said RHP Johnny Cueto, who was forced out of his start Tuesday night with a strained groin, is improving and will try to throw on Friday. ... Bochy said SS Brandon Crawfords dislocated pinky on his glove hand was doing a lot better. Yesterday he had a tough day. It was really sore. Hes throwing to keep in shape.Padres: Green said RHP Colin Rea has begun throwing. Hes been shut down with an elbow injury.UP NEXTGiants: Rookie RHP Albert Suarez (3-4, 4.16) is scheduled to start Friday night.Padres: RHP Edwin Jackson (4-6, 6.00) gets the start Friday night. Custom Minnesota Twins Nike Jerseys . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Custom Los Angeles Angels Nike Jerseys . 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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Having shown they can rally in the fourth quarter and pull out a victory, the Tennessee Titans now face a new task of trying to win back-to-back games.Thats a big challenge for a franchise that last won consecutive games to wrap up the 2013 season.The Titans hope their fourth-quarter comeback for a 16-15 win in Detroit is a sign that this franchise finally is turning around after a league-worst five wins combined since then.I think it can be a turning point, tight end Delanie Walker said Monday. We always talked about finishing and previous years we lose games like this. (In Detroit), we finally finished, and I think ... we can build off that and turn this thing.The Titans trailed 15-3 entering the fourth quarter and came up with only their fourth comeback since 1999 when trailing by 10 or more points going into the final 15 minutes. The Titans rallied from 21 points down to beat the Giants on Nov. 26, 2006, 11 against Philadelphia on Sept. 8, 2002, and from 10 down at Jacksonville on Sept. 26, 1999.Two of those comebacks came in seasons where the Titans (1-1) reached the playoffs, and the big rally against the Giants helped Tennessee finish 8-8 after starting 0-5.Its a relief to come in with a good mood and not go home yelling at the walls after the game, linebacker Avery Williamson said. So its definitely a good feeling and glad for this team to get that confidence builder. I feel like were definitely going to build off that.The Titans rallied thanks to a defense that held Detroit to two field goals and a touchdown -- the only TD theyve given up through two games. So far this season Tennessee has allowed just six field goals and the lone TD.Marcus Mariota, who threw two TD passes, also leads the NFL with a 131.8 passer rating in the fourth quarter. He was a perfect 9 of 9 for 74 yards on the game-winning drive -- his third in 14 starts. His 9-yard TTD pass to Andre Johnson with 1:13 left marked the first time since Nov.dddddddddddd 24, 2013, at Oakland that the Titans scored to win in the final two minutes.DeMarco Murray finished with 145 yards from scrimmage, the most by a Titans running back since Nov. 3, 2013, when Chris Johnson had 170 at St. Louis.The Titans know their play wasnt pretty with 12 penalties for 83 yards, not counting a Mariota interception. Still, veteran cornerback Jason McCourty said theyve seen too many games slip through their hands and are just happy to have their first win of the season.Man for me, year eight, an ugly win -- I have no idea what that looks like, McCourty said. A win is a win no matter how you come across it.Coach Mike Mularkey earned a game ball for his first win since being given the job in January, and Mularkey promptly gave it to first-year general manager Jon Robinson for all his work revamping the roster. Their next test comes Sunday when the Oakland Raiders (1-1) visit, a crucial home game before Tennessee hits the road for two games.Mularkey said he was glad the Titans finally got to enjoy the thrill of victory.Weve had enough of the agony of defeat, Mularkey said.Game notes Mularkey said LB Derrick Morgan (left hamstring) and WR Kendall Wright (left hamstring) will test themselves Tuesday with the Titans hoping both can practice Wednesday. Morgan did not play in Detroit, and Wright has yet to play at all this year. ... Mularkey said the Titans are discussing whether RG Chance Warmack needs surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right hand, which would keep him out at least a couple weeks.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker ' ' '