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Tatís homers, Cease strikes out 10 as Padres blank Giants 5-0

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Tatís homers, Cease strikes out 10 as Padres blank Giants 5-0
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Tatís homers, Cease strikes out 10 as Padres blank Giants 5-0

2024-09-14 13:35 Last Updated At:13:40

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Fernando Tatís Jr. hit a two-run homer, Dylan Cease struck out 10 in six shutout innings and the San Diego Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 5-0 on Friday night.

The Padres are a half-game ahead of the Diamondbacks atop the National League wild card standings and 1 1/2 games in front of the Mets for the third and final wild card spot. The Giants have lost three of four and were shut out in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

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San Diego Padres catcher Elias Díaz, right, waits to tag out San Francisco Giants' Heliot Ramos at home during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres catcher Elias Díaz, right, waits to tag out San Francisco Giants' Heliot Ramos at home during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Brandon Lockridge, from left, celebrates with Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. after the Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Brandon Lockridge, from left, celebrates with Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. after the Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease works against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease works against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Luis Arraez (4) during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Luis Arraez (4) during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., middle, celebrates with teammates during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., middle, celebrates with teammates during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, hits a two-run home run in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, hits a two-run home run in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Luis Arráez had three hits and a walk on Friday, extending his streak to 129 consecutive at bats without a strikeout. It’s the longest since Juan Pierre went 147 at bats without a strikeout in 2004.

Cease (13-11) recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in the third inning when he got Donovan Walton looking. He held the Giants to four hits and two walks, and also got some help from defense in the sixth when Tatís and Jake Cronenworth combined to cut down Heliot Ramos at the plate on a double by Patrick Bailey. The 28-year-old got his first win since Aug. 17.

“It means a lot,” Cease said of getting to the 1,000 mark. “Longevity and execution and performance and all that good stuff, but just happy we won. I feel like I haven’t contributed in like a month. So it feels nice to contribute.”

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Cease was “electric.”

“I thought his stuff was really good,” Shildt said. “Around the zone, a lot of life, ball up, secondary was good. A lot of strikes out of the hand. Anytime there was a miss, it was a quick adjustment. I thought it was fantastic to get through six and keep them shut out.”

San Diego scored three times in the first inning off Logan Webb (12-10). Tatís homered to center field after Arráez led off the game with a single. Xander Bogaerts drove in Manny Machado with an RBI double later in the inning.

“He's just driving balls,” Shildt said of Tatís. “He looks like he’s in a good place ... That’s a good sign when he’s driving the ball to the middle of the field, using the gaps.”

Webb gave up a fourth run in the fourth when he threw wildly to first on a comebacker by Elias Díaz, allowing Jackson Merrill to score from second. He exited after the fourth after allowing seven hits, striking out four and walking one while throwing 83 pitches.

It was the first time in 22 games that Webb has not pitched at least five innings.

“They’re one of the better (batting) average teams in baseball, if not the best,” Webb said. “I’m a contact guy. My job is to try to limit damage and I didn’t do that."

Giants manager Bob Melvin said that Webb has been taxed this season. He leads all of baseball with 193.2 innings pitched.

“Just a tough first inning, throws the ball away,” Melvin said. “It was time to just give him a little bit of a break. (To) keep pushing him in a 4-0 game with the innings that he’s pitched, sometimes even a guy like him needs a break.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: IF Ha-Seong Kim (right shoulder inflammation), whose recovery has been shaky, was scheduled to throw on Friday but manager Mike Shildt said that Kim has “gone back a little bit in his throwing intensity.”

Giants: IF Tyler Fitzgerald (lower back tightness) has no structural damage in his lower back after undergoing an MRI. The shortstop is considered day-to-day after leaving Thursday’s game early, and manager Bob Melvin said he isn’t expected to go on the IL. … LHP Robbie Ray (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to throw a bullpen this weekend. … RHP Randy Rodriguez (right elbow inflammation) threw a bullpen on Thursday and is scheduled for another on Sunday.

UP NEXT

RHP Mason Black (0-3, 7.50 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Giants in the second game of the series, opposite RHP Joe Musgrove (5-5, 4.64 ERA) for the Padres.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

San Diego Padres catcher Elias Díaz, right, waits to tag out San Francisco Giants' Heliot Ramos at home during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres catcher Elias Díaz, right, waits to tag out San Francisco Giants' Heliot Ramos at home during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Brandon Lockridge, from left, celebrates with Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. after the Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Brandon Lockridge, from left, celebrates with Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. after the Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease works against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease works against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Luis Arraez (4) during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Luis Arraez (4) during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., middle, celebrates with teammates during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., middle, celebrates with teammates during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, hits a two-run home run in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, hits a two-run home run in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day.

Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is possible later in the week.

“Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened.

It’s often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president’s team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump’s first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden’s choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day.

With Trump’s return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Rubio, who was surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber, said afterward he feels “good, but there’s a lot of work ahead.”

“It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honored by it,” Rubio said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, announcing he expected voting to begin “imminently” on Trump’s nominees.

Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will “neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”

Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."

Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, voted to move the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. And the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced nominees Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, but with opposition.

Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member.

As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation’s top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China’s rise.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While he echoes Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage.

Rubio cultivated bipartisan support from across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats. He takes over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination.

The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance and, soon, Rubio drops the GOP majority further until their successors arrive. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees.

Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

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