San Diego ? Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer, Mat Latos won for the first time in four starts, and the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals, 4-3, on Monday night.

The Padres, coming off consecutive series victories against Boston and Atlanta, have won five of six. The Royals have lost seven of nine.

Latos (5-8) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings, struck out six and walked two to win for the first time since June 5 against Houston. Heath Bell pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 22 chances, getting the final out after allowing consecutive two-out singles.

The Padres continued their domination of Jeff Francis (3-9), who allowed four runs, three earned, and five hits in five innings.

Francis dropped to 5-13 with a 5.65 ERA in 22 career starts against San Diego. The former Colorado Rockies pitcher is winless in his last six starts against San Diego. At Petco Park, he’s 3-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 12 starts.

Overall, Francis has lost three straight starts and four of five.

With Chase Headley aboard on a double, Ludwick homered to left with two outs in the first, his 10th.

Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly in the third, and Latos helped himself in the bottom of the inning when he hit a leadoff double and eventually scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 lead.

The Padres took a 4-1 lead in the fourth when Jesus Guzman reached on a throwing error by shortstop Alcides Escobar and eventually scored on a throwing error by first baseman Hosmer, who was trying to throw him out at third after Orlando Hudson’s groundout.

The Royals have thrown out 16 runners at the plate, including four in the last five games.