SAN DIEGO — Matt Kemp is turning it on just when the San Diego Padres desperately need his big bat.
Kemp hit a two-run homer to help the Padres beat the World Series champion San Francisco Giants 4-2 Monday night and extend their winning streak to a season-high five games.
Kemp's 409-foot drive off 40-year-old Tim Hudson into the sandy play area beyond the right-center fence in the third inning was his fourth homer in seven games and 10th overall. It also gave the outfielder 700 career RBIs. Alexi Amarista was aboard on a walk.
"He's the best player on the field," Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said.