MIAMI (AP) - Even though Florida Marlins right-hander Javier Vazquez took the loss, manager Jack McKeon credited him with a save.

To protect the bullpen, Vazquez remained on the mound Thursday against San Diego after a 2 1/2-hour rain delay. His effort was one of the few praiseworthy efforts for the Marlins, who lost 5-3 and were swept in the three-game series.

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``You've got to give Javy a lot of credit,' McKeon said. ``He saved the bullpen by going out there. Things like that go unnoticed, but he may have won us a couple of games this weekend because of his effort.'

The bullpen was already taxed from a 14-3 drubbing Wednesday. San Diego, last in the NL in offense, outscored Florida 23-6 in the series.

``They probably scored more runs in this series than they had scored all month,' McKeon said.

Florida's only runs in the series finale were unearned. Emilio Bonifacio singled home one in the fifth to extended his career-best hitting streak to 20 games, the longest active streak in the majors.

The rain came in the top of the second inning. Vazquez warmed up a couple of times to keep loose during the delay, which he said was the longest of his career.

``I know the bullpen did a lot of work Wednesday, so I tried my best to pitch,' he said. ``They didn't have to tell me. We never talked about me not being able to go.'

Vazquez (6-9) went 4 1-3 innings and allowed five runs. He had a rough start when the first four Padres reached on hits, but one was a double by Will Venable that right fielder Mike Stanton misjudged, and another was an infield single.

When the sweep was complete, the Padres were pleased but also relieved. Second baseman Orlando Hudson avoided serious injury when he collided with a wall after catching a pop foul.

Following an eight-minute delay, Hudson was carted off the field and taken to a hospital where X-rays were negative.

A team spokesman said late Thursday night that although Hudson did not fly on the team charter he did join the Padres in Philadelphia and is listed as day to day.

``It was a scary moment,' manager Bud Black said. ``When a guy goes unconscious, you're worried.'

Hudson's catch ended a Marlins threat in the seventh with San Diego nursing a two-run lead. The news that he would be OK allowed the Padres to savor their offensive surge.

Especially grateful was Dustin Moseley (3-9), who went six innings and allowed three runs, all unearned. He came into the game ranked next to last in the majors in run support, but the Padres gave him a quick lead when their first three batters scored.

``It makes things a lot easier, that's for sure,' he said. ``You don't have to be so careful and try to be perfect.'

Moseley benefited from a leaping catch by center fielder Cameron Maybin in the first to rob Logan Morrison of a two-run homer.

``It's always fun to watch someone look at you like you did something crazy,' Maybin said. ``And that's what Lo Mo was doing.'

``That might have been the key to the ballgame,' McKeon said.

Maybin also had four hits. He went 9 for 14 with five runs and five stolen bases in the three games against his former team.

``I see a different guy,' McKeon said. ``I see a guy who is tremendously improved. He's a much better hitter. What they did to him over there, I don't know. I don't know why he didn't do it with us.'

Maybin batted .246 for Florida while splitting his time between the majors and minors in 2008-10. Traded to San Diego last November, he's now an everyday big leaguer, and the showing in Miami lifted his average to .277.

``To sweep these guys, it definitely means a lot to me,' Maybin said. ``I've got so many buddies over there. They have been talking trash the whole time, but I do honestly love all those guys.'

The Padres swept the Marlins for the second time this season, and they've won their past eight games in Miami. They climbed out of last place in the NL West with the victory and improved to 14-11 since June 21.

NOTES: Marlins slugger Stanton broke his bat for the 36th time this season on a groundout in the second. He entered the game tied for the major league lead, according to STATS, LLC. ... Padres 3B Chase Headley (strained right calf), sidelined since Saturday, was available off the bench and is expected to rejoin the lineup Friday. ... The Padres improved to 21-15 in day games. ... Announced attendance was 27,143, but many fans left during the delay, and by the middle innings only a couple of thousand spectators remained.