MLB: San Diego 8, New York Mets 3

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Adrian Gonzalez helped San Diego build a seven-run lead with three RBI Thursday and the Padres coasted from there to an 8-3 victory over the New York Mets.

The Mets have not won a series in San Diego since 2002 and they got off to a bad start in this four-game set by surrendering a four-run third inning.

Gonzalez had a sacrifice fly in the first and hit a two-run homer in the third.

Clayton Richard (5-3) had a shutout working until running into trouble in the sixth. He gave up three runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings in his second start with the Padres.

Richard came to San Diego from Chicago last week in the deal that sent Jake Peavy to the White Sox.

Livan Hernandez (7-6) took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in five innings.