SAN DIEGO — Antonio Gates’ three touchdown catches lifted the San Diego Chargers over the Seattle Seahawks 30-21 on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Philip Rivers clicked with Gates for two scoring receptions of 8 yards and one of 21 as the Chargers (1-1) evened their record. Gates finished with seven receptions for a team-high 96 yards.

Rivers was 28 of 37 for 284 yards and the three scores to Gates.

Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns as the Seahawks fell to 1-1.

But the win, which included three Nick Novak field goals, could be costly to the Chargers. Running back Ryan Mathews exited on a cart in the fourth quarter, with what appeared to be a serious leg injury.

Late in the third quarter, the Seahawks pulled to within 27-21 on a 14-yard pass from Wilson to Marshawn Lynch. The Chargers busted a coverage on the play as Lynch cruised in untouched with no Charger close by.

Gates added his third touchdown to tie a career-high when he made a sensational one-handed catch on a third-quarter, 21-yard pass from Rivers. With Kam Chancellor and K.J. Wright covering, Gates reached out with his left hand and made a diving reception to give the Chargers a 27-14 lead.

Seattle tackled on a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half on a 3-yard pass from Wilson to Robert Turbin, cutting the deficit to 20-14.

Moments earlier, Rivers and Gates connected for their second 8-yard touchdown in the half’s final minute, giving the Chargers a 20-7 lead. Rivers sidestepped pressure in floating the pass to Gates deep in the end zone.

Novak’s second field goal was from 43 yards, giving the Chargers a 13-7 edge with 4:40 left in the half. The Chargers’ drive was derailed by a holding penalty called on Rich Ohrnberger at the Seattle 26-yard line.

The Chargers struck first when Novak kicked a 50-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

Percy Harvin gave the Seahawks a first-quarter lead when he scored on a 51-yard run with about two minutes left in the first quarter. Harvin took a pitch from Wilson around the left end, and sprinted past linebacker Jerry Attaochu into the end zone.

Rivers clicked with Gates for their first score, an 8-yard strike, when the veteran tight end slipped behind Chancellor in single coverage. That pushed the Chargers’ cushion to 10-7.

NOTES: Chargers CB Brandon Flowers was inactive with a groin injury. … OLB Jarret Johnson was absent as he attended the birth of his child. … OLB Dwight Freeney recorded the 109th sack of his career when he sacked Russell Wilson for a 13-yard loss in the first quarter. … Seattle has a Super Bowl rematch at Denver next week before its bye week. … Sunday’s on-field temperature was 120 degrees at kickoff.