CINCINNATI (AP) _ There are signs that the Cincinnati Reds' pitching staff is finally settling down. If only their hitters would start waking up.

Ken Griffey Jr. was 0-for-2 and Dante Bichette grounded into three double plays, but the Reds scored on a sacrifice fly and an error to beat the San Diego Padres 2-0 Tuesday night.

The Reds (16-15) moved a game above .500 for the third time this season as Steve Parris emerged from his rut with six strong innings. The pitching staff has given up three or fewer runs in three of four games.

Asked if he's more comfortable with his pitching staff now, manager Jack McKeon changed the subject.

``I'm not too comfortable leaving all those guys on base,'' he said. ``When we get the big guys driving them in, that's when I'll feel comfortable.''

The Padres and Reds each stranded seven runners in scoring position. Both teams left the bases loaded. The teams went out in order once apiece.

It was a threat-a-minute right down to the end. Danny Graves got Al Martin to ground out with the bases loaded for the final out.

``We had some opportunities. I mean, we had the right guys up there,'' manager Bruce Bochy said. ``What can you do? Both teams had a lot of opportunities.''

The Padres were shut out for the first time this season, extending their losing streak to four games. They struck out 27 times during a three-game weekend sweep in Arizona and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position Tuesday.

San Diego (13-19) dropped a season-low six games under .500 with its 10th loss in 13 games.

``That's the way our season's been going so far,'' said Eric Owens, who had two of the Padres' eight hits. ``That's the first time we've been shut out. We all thought we had a chance, and we did until the end.

``When things are going bad, that's what happens. When things are going good for you, the ball finds a hole somewhere.''

The Padres couldn't get a clutch hit against a pitcher who has been erratic. Parris (2-4) came into the game with a 6.21 ERA, but allowed only five hits before leaving for a pinch-hitter in the sixth.

Parris drove in the first run when the Padres chose to intentionally walk Gookie Dawkins and face him with one out and the bases loaded in the second. Parris hit a fly to medium center and Eddie Taubensee easily beat Ruben Rivera's throw home.

Parris recoiled in disappointment in the on-deck circle and left his bat on the field when McKeon decided to pinch-hit Alex Ochoa with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth.

``That's Jack's job. He's trying to get more runs,'' Parris said. ``I understand it, but I don't like it. I was throwing the ball well, and that's really the first time that's happened this year.''

Ochoa hit into a forceout at home, but second baseman Bret Boone let in a run by dropping a throw from shortstop Damian Jackson on Pokey Reese's grounder. Boone has six errors this season, but hadn't made one in his last 14 games.

``You're trying to keep it to a one-run game,'' Bochy said. ``The guy who dropped the ball is the guy you want to get the ball. He's one of the best. It happens, but it doesn't happen very often.''

The Reds also wasted plenty of chances against Brian Meadows (3-3). Bichette grounded into inning-ending double plays in the first, third and fifth, one shy of the record.

It was the first time that a Red grounded into three double plays since Barry Larkin did it July 7, 1993 at Wrigley Field. Bichette doubled off Donne Wall in the seventh.

``He was going for the record there in that last at-bat,'' McKeon said. ``He had a tough night. Everyone has one.''

Meadows gave up two runs _ one earned _ and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. He matched his career-high by walking six, three intentionally.

Notes: Eight-time NL batting champion Tony Gwynn turned 40 Tuesday. The disabled outfielder didn't accompany the Padres, staying in California to rehabilitate his left knee. ... Pete Rose had the most hits after age 40, collecting 691 on his way to a record 4,256. ... Left fielder Dmitri Young was scratched from the Reds' lineup a half-hour before the first pitch because of a stomach virus. He has a career-high 15-game hitting streak. ... The major league record for grounding into double plays in a game is four _ by Detroit's Goose Goslin in the AL (1934) and New York's Joe Torre in the NL (1975).