Giants edge Padres, maintain hold on WC spot

SAN DIEGO — The Giants finally benefited from those lucky breaks they’ve claimed to be missing in recent weeks, as Angel Pagan’s eighth-inning bloop single broke a scoreless tie Thursday and propelled San Francisco to a 2-1 victory over the Padres at Petco Park.

The win moved the Giants one-half game ahead of the idle Cardinals and kept them tied with the Mets in the National League Wild Card spots. San Francisco and New York — which beat Philadelphia in 11 innings Thursday — are both 81-72 with nine regular-season games left to play.

With runners at the corners and one out in the eighth, Pagan hit a fly ball up the right-field line that landed fair. Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe grabbed the ball and unleashed a throw home that first baseman Wil Myers cut off as Joe Panik scored. One out later, Hunter Pence lined an RBI double, which became essential when pinch-hitter Alex Dickerson homered in the eighth for San Diego.

Giants starter Jeff Samardzija (12-10) struck out nine in seven shutout innings to earn the decision, his 12th win of the season.

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