By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Final: Phillies 5, Padres 4 ❖ Attendance: 27,521
SAN DIEGO — Behind a two-hit, four-RBI performance by catcher Cameron Rupp, and the 13th quality start out of 23 starts on the season by right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, the Philadelphia Phillies (51-60) prevailed in the first of a three-game set against the San Diego Padres (47-62) Friday evening at Petco Park.
The Phillies trailed early on, as a second-inning RBI single and third-inning sacrifice fly RBI to center by shortstop Jose Rondon and left fielder Alex Dickerson, respectively, gave the Padres a 2-0 lead. Offensive-wise, the first eight Phillies batters of the game against southpaw Christian Friedrich failed to reach base before Hellickson singled to center for his fourth hit in 23 games as a Phillie.
Following a leadoff single by center fielder Aaron Altherr and third baseman Maikel Franco reaching on a fielder's choice, Rupp launched his 13th home run of the season to put the Phillies on top 3-2 in the top of the fourth. Two innings later, he delivered with his 18th double to score Franco from second base.
The Padres would pull within one run of the Phillies later in the game during two separate occasions. The first was when pinch hitter and perennial former Chicago White Sox Alexei Ramirez secured his 36th RBI via a solo home run to left off of Hellickson with two outs in the seventh.
Up 4-3, Hellickson was then pulled in favor of right-hander Edubray Ramos, who secured the final out during the next at-bat. Hellickson, who made his first start since the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline, lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks.
An insurance run was added by the Phillies in the top of the eighth, as first baseman Tommy Joseph hit a two-out RBI single to left field. In the bottom of the eighth against right-hander Hector Neris, All-Star first baseman Wil Myers hit his 21st home run to pull the Padres within one again, 5-4.
Closer Jeanmar Gomez, back from a stint on the paternity list, picked up his 28th save out of 30 opportunities in the ninth on two hits allowed.
Game Notes:
- Over his past six decisions, Hellickson is now 5-1 with a 2.50 ERA spanning eight starts.
- The Phillies extended their win streak at Petco Park to four games. They are 31-10 and own the best winning percentage (.756) of any visiting team all-time at the venue, which opened in 2004.
- While his six-game hitting streak was snapped, shortstop Cesar Hernandez reached base safely for the 13th consecutive game with a leadoff walk in the top of the eighth inning. Since July 23, Hernandez has the third-best on-base percentage (.516), trailing just the Twins' Joe Mauer (.529) and the Reds' Joey Votto (.528).
Phillies RHP Jake Thompson — who was 11-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 21 starts this season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley — will make his Major League debut Saturday evening in opposition of right-hander Paul Clemens, who came over from the Marlins on June 28 via waivers. Thompson will become the third player acquired from the Texas Rangers in the Cole Hamels trade to make their debuts, joining right-handers Alec Asher and Jerad Eickhoff. (Time: 8:40 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP).
