MLB: San Diego 5, San Francisco 3

SAN FRANCISCO, July 4 (UPI) -- Clayton Richard hurled five shutout innings and Will Venable homered Monday, sparking the San Diego Padres to a 5-3 victory over San Diego.

Richard (5-9) allowed only two hits and worked around three walks while fanning two in winning his third consecutive start for the Padres.

Heath Bell earned his 25th save despite allowing a run in the ninth and recorded the final two outs with the potential tying run in scoring position -- securing San Diego's win in the first of a four-game series.

Chase Headley and Orlando Hudson drove in first-inning runs and Venable's solo smash in the top of the ninth handed the Padres a two-run lead.

San Francisco's Tim Lincecum (6-7) yielded three runs on seven hits through five frames.

Pablo Sandoval went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer for the National League West-leading Giants.