Petco Park is a big ball park. 

The 2008 Padres had their 14th player make his major league debut Wednesday night at Petco Park when right-handed reliever Michael Ekstrom pitched two hitless innings. 

--RF Brian Giles, whose days as a Padre could be numbered if the club opts to buy him out at $3 million rather than pick up his 2009 contract at $9 million, was 1-for-4 and scored the game's first run after leading off the first with a double. 

MEDICAL WATCH: OF Jody Gerut (jammed left middle finger) was hurt Aug. 

Petco Park is a big ball park. 

The San Francisco Giants proved they can play with the leaders in the NL West. 

Manny Ramirez hit two two-run homers, giving him 524 for his career, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Wednesday night. 

The San Diego Padres claimed right-hander Charlie Haeger off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. 

MEDICAL WATCH: OF Jody Gerut (jammed left middle finger) was hurt Aug. 

--LHP Wade LeBlanc lowered his ERA from 11. 

Heath Bell's name has come up more than once this season as a possible successor to Trevor Hoffman as the Padres' closer -- although the team now seems interested in retaining the all-time saves leader for at least one more season. 

Andre Ethier's recent performance at the plate and Derek Lowe's work on the mound are key reasons the Los Angeles Dodgers are in first place in the NL West. 

Andre Ethier is thriving with Manny Ramirez batting right behind him in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup. 

Andre Ethier drove in four runs, Manny Ramirez quieted the boos with a line-drive homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the last-place San Diego Padres 6-2 on Tuesday night to extend their NL West lead to 2 1/2 games. 

--1B Adrian Gonzalez had gone 26 games and 96 at-bats since his last homer when he homered in the first inning Monday night off former Padre Greg Maddux.