Braun homers 3 times against Padres

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Ryan Braun hit three home runs in a game for the first time in his career, connecting in consecutive at-bats against the Padres at spacious Petco Park on Monday night.

Braun hit a solo homer into the sand area beyond the fence in right-center -- one of the deepest parts of Petco Park -- in the fourth and a two-run shot onto the balcony on the fourth level of the Western Metal Supply Co. brick warehouse in the left field corner in the fifth. Both were off rookie starter Joe Wieland.

He then homered to left field off Ernesto Frieri in the seventh, tying the team record for homers in a game.

Braun is the first player with a three-homer game at Petco, which opened in 2004.

Ten days ago, Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees became the first player to hit three homers in a game this season.