SAN FRANCISCO — Mat Latos knows he might have pitched a perfect game if he only could have blocked Eli Whiteside's comebacker.

The 22-year-old righty replayed that one a few times in his head afterward, and how could he not? It was his lone blemish.

Latos threw a one-hitter, allowing just the sixth-inning infield single that deflected off him, and he also drove in the lone run to lead the San Diego Padres past the San Francisco Giants, 1-0, yesterday for a three-game sweep.

Latos (3-3) retired the first 15 batters before Whiteside opened the sixth with a one hopper that hit off the pitcher's glove hand and bounced toward shortstop. Third baseman Chase Headley's throw to first wasn't in time.

"You just try to get it there as quick as you can," Headley said. "It would have been nice if that went our way."

The Padres swept the Giants in their waterfront ballpark for the first time since May 27-29, 2005 — and for the second time this season. San Francisco was swept at home for the first time in 2010.

The Padres moved 3 1/2 games ahead of the Giants in the NL West and wrapped up an impressive 5-1 road trip, improving to 6-0 this season against San Francisco. San Diego has won 10 of the last 13 in the rivalry.

Latos ran his scoreless-innings streak to 18 as he outdueled lefty Jonathan Sanchez (2-3), who no-hit San Diego here last July 10, to win his second straight start and get his first career complete game. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter in a 106-pitch gem that ended in 2 hours, 6 minutes.

"Everything came together today," Latos said. "The comebacker, I should have stopped that, knocked it down. If I knock the ball down I've got a chance to throw him out."

ASTROS 4, CARDINALS 1

Bud Norris (2-4) gave up one run and six hits, struck out eight and walked none in eight innings, and Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer to help visiting Houston wrap up a three-game sweep of St. Louis.

MARLINS 2, METS 1

Cody Ross walked with one out off Fernando Nieve (1-2) in the ninth, took third on a single by Ronny Paulino and scored when Nieve's first pitch to pinch-hitter Dan Uggla bounced away from catcher Rod Barajas to lift host Florida over New York.

NATIONALS 14, ROCKIES 6

Ryan Zimmerman hit two homers and drove in a career-high six runs, helping visiting Washington beat Colorado in a game called after eight innings because of a steady rain. Washington broke open a one-run game in the eighth by scoring seven times,

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ROYALS 6, INDIANS 4

Kansas City fired manager Trey Hillman immediately after Zack Greinke earned his first win in eight starts, beating visiting Cleveland.

Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer and the Royals snapped a seven-game skid by roughing up Cleveland starter David Huff (1-5) and giving Greinke (1-4) his most run support of the season.

The 47-year-old Hillman was in his third season with Kansas City and went 152-207. Former Brewers manager Ned Yost, who had joined the Royals' front office in January took over the 12-23 team.

"There won't be any second-guessing," Hillman said. "I have the ultimate respect for the people I work for, but to put it into perspective, sometimes things in this business work and sometimes they don't."

TIGERS 6, YANKEES 0

Justin Verlander (4-2) won his third straight start, giving up four hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings, and Miguel Cabrera and Brennan Boesch hit back-to-back homers in the fourth off CC Sabathia (4-2) as host Detroit handed New York its second series loss of the season.

ORIOLES 6, MARINERS 5

Luke Scott hit a grand slam to cap a five-run eighth inning against reliever Brandon League (3-3), a Saint Louis School alum from Hawai'i, and host Baltimore beat Seattle when left fielder Corey Patterson nailed Josh Wilson at the plate for the final out.

RANGERS 2, ATHLETICS 1

Vladimir Guerrero lined a shot deep into the left-center field gap off Oakland closer Andrew Bailey (0-1) to drive home Michael Young with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning to lift Texas.