As much as ace Mat Latos is struggling, the San Diego Padres' offense is doing even worse.
Roy Oswalt and three relievers pitched a combined four-hitter and the Philadelphia Phillies won 3-0 Thursday night against the San Diego Padres, who have been shut out a major league-leading five times in 19 games.
Ben Francisco and Brian Schneider homered for the Phillies, who've won eight straight and 12 of 13 at Petco Park dating to the 2008 season.
Oswalt (3-0) allowed only one hit in six innings, Chris Denorfia's opposite-field single to right with two outs in the fifth. Oswalt allowed only two other baserunners, on walks, while striking out seven. The only Padres baserunner to reach second against Oswalt was Jason Bartlett, who drew a leadoff walk in the first and then stole second.
The Padres came in with a .222 batting average, lowest in the majors.
"It's tough," manager Bud Black said. "When we need to score runs, it's going to come from all eight guys doing their thing. There are not one or two guys who carry the load. It's going to have to be a collective thing. Right now, we have a number of guys who are a little bit off offensively."
Jose Contreras pitched the ninth for his fifth save in five chances. Pinch-hitter Brad Hawpe struck out looking for the final out, with two runners on. Hawpe has struck out 19 times in 43 at-bats and is hitting just .116.
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The Phillies are tied for the big league lead with four shutouts.
While Oswalt cruised in winning his 10th straight decision, Latos (0-3) lost his eighth straight start since September. He's allowed five homers in 16 2-3 innings in three starts.
Oswalt has gone six innings in all four starts, allowing two or fewer earned runs. He improved to 11-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 19 career appearances against the Padres, including 17 starts. He left his last start after six with a lower back strain, against Florida on Friday.
Latos allowed three runs on four hits in six innings, struck out seven and walked a career-high five.
"I'm 0-3 right now because I'm giving up runs," Latos said. I'm not giving my team a chance to win."
Francisco homered to straightaway center leading off the second, his third. Schneider homered to right-center with one out, his second.
The Phillies added a run in the third on Francisco's bases-loaded fly ball to right. He was credited with a sacrifice fly even though Denorfia dropped the ball for an error.
NOTES: The Padres are receiving more than $1 million over three years from TaylorMade for a giant replica of an R11 driver along the right field foul pole. ... LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Before the game, she hit golf balls off a mat at home plate. ... Oswalt's last loss was July 30 at Washington. ... Latos has a 7.22 ERA during his losing streak. ... Ryan Howard went 0 for 5, including four strikeouts. ... Padres 3B Chase Headley came out of the game during a double-switch in the eighth inning with flu-like symptoms.
