Minor League Player of the Day – Leon Landry - 2 for 4, 2 2B's, 2 Runs, 1 SB. With just 2 games on Wednesday there weren't a whole lot of options for this award, but Landry continues to impress with his 8th multi-hit game in his last 10 contests. Landry has a 1.158 OPS over that time frame, and for the season is hitting .371.

AAA –Off day

AA – Off day

HiA – Brandon Martinez continued his success in the California League with 5 innings of 4 hit ball, but spotty defense caused the Quakes to lose to Lancaster (Astros) 6 to 4. B-Mart allowed 1 run and struck out 4, but then Freddie Cabrera gave up 5 scores in relief which put the game out of reach. 3 of the 5 runs Cabrera permitted were unearned, however, thanks to a pair of Rancho errors in the 7th inning. Scott McGough and Eric Eadington finished the game strong as they combined for 2.2 shutout frames. At the plate the Quakes scraped together 7 hits, and 6 of them were doubles. Leon Landry led the way with a pair of two-baggers and a stolen base, while Joc Pederson drove in two with a double and a sac fly. Scott Wingo went 2 for 4 with a double, and the rarely mentioned Nick Akins also doubled.

LoA – The Loons won a marathon game on Wednesday as Great Lakes defeated the Whitecaps (Tigers) 6 to 5 in 16 innings. After West Michigan tied the game in the top of the 9th, the two clubs played 6 innings of scoreless ball before James Baldwin finally drove in the winning run with a RBI double. For Baldwin it was the breakthrough he needed on a rough day which saw him go 1 for 8 with 4 K's. O'Koyea Dickson contributed to the win by going 3 for 5 with an RBI, while Jesse Bosnik went 2 for 5 with a homer. The Loons sent 7 different pitchers to the mound in this game, starting with Arismendy Ozoria who allowed 4 runs despite giving up just 3 hits over 5.2 innings. Most of his base-runners came via the walk as he issued 4 free passes. Several relievers followed, including Yimi Garcia who was the one who blew the save in the 9th. Once in extra innings Jason West tossed 3 innings of 2-hit relief, while Joel Lima finished the game with 4 scoreless innings to record the win.

Coming up – All the teams return to action on Thursday, including the Lookouts who will send Aaron Miller to the mound. Jarret Martin will start for the Loons, and while the other two games have TBD pitchers I'm guessing it will be Michael Antonini for the Isotopes and Angel Sanchez for the Quakes.

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)

Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)

http://firstinning.com/daily/la

Chris Capuano pitched pretty well on Wednesday, a game that as manager Don Mattingly likes to say gives the Dodgers a chance to win. Capuano pitched into the seventh inning but suffered his first loss of the season, thanks in large part to Chase Headley, who homered and doubled to drive in the Padres' first three runs in their 4-2 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday at Petco Park.

Headley's two-run double in the sixth inning turned a one-run Dodgers' lead into a one-run deficit, and came with runners on first and third base and one out.

"In that last at-bat I was hoping for a double play there and trying to force contact but guided a changeup a little up in the zone and he was able to hit it to the gap," Capuano said.

Catcher Matt Treanor praised Capuano's start, which lasted 6 1/3 innings, in which he gave up four runs, including three earned, while striking out six. Treanor said Capuano really only made two mistakes, as the double to Headley and the home run to Headley (in the first inning) both came on pitches that missed location.

Headley also had a 10-pitch walk in the fourth inning, winning all three matchups against Capuano.

"That really was a fantastic at-bat. I was really bearing down there to make pitches and we was fouling some good ones off," Capuano said. "It's a battle you always want to win as a pitcher, and when a guy battles and draws a walk it can get at you a little bit."

Headley is 2-for-3 with three walks against Capuano this season, and has reached base in each of his last five plate appearances.

Notes

• Capuano's final batter was Yonder Alonso, who walked. Capuano appeared to argue with home plate umpire Brian Runge after his final pitch. Capuano explained:
  
  "Brian Runge has an interesting strike call. Sometimes he just says, 'Yeah' for a strike. I thought it was a pretty good pitch, a fastball down and away that looked like a strike to me," Capuano said. "I thought I heard 'Yeah' and Matt Treanor did too. I got the ball back walking back to the mound thinking it was a 3-1 count and saw Alsonso running to first."
  
• The Dodgers scored just two runs on Wednesday, and nothing after the first inning. They have scored six runs in three games since Matt Kemp was placed on the disabled list.
  
  "We just didn't do enough to score. You can't expect to win when you basically don't do anything, after the first two hitters until the ninth inning," Mattingly said. "We're not good enough to come down here and get four hits and think we're going to win a game."
• Mattingly focused more on Javy Guerra allowing two of his six inherited runners to score over the last two days than his 16 balls and just seven strikes.
  
  "Javy's been really good. I've kind of used him the last two days like a closer to keep us in the game," Mattingly said. "He's given us two chances to win in the last two days."
  
• With the loss, the Dodgers are now 9-8 against left-handed starters this season, a far cry from their 15-5 mark against right-handers. "We really haven't done a whole lot against lefties so far," Mattingly said.
  

Up Next

The Dodgers look for a split of the two-game road trip on Thursday night, with Aaron Harang getting the call in the ballpark he called home last season. Opening day starter Edinson Volquez starts for the Padres.

Chase Headley got the better of Chris Capuano on Wednesday, and the Dodgers fell 4-2 to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. It was the second straight loss for the Dodgers, who have scored six runs in three games without Matt Kemp.

Headley hit a solo home run in the first inning to cut the Dodgers' lead in half, then hit a two-run double to the left center field gap in the sixth inning to give San Diego the lead.

After Tony Gwynn Jr. opened the game with a single, Elian Herrera followed with a sharp grounder down the third base line that rolled into the left field corner for an RBI double. It was Herrera's first major league hit and first major league RBI, in his first major league start and his second major league at-bat. A ground ball and a fly ball later, Herrera scored his first major league run for a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the Dodgers, that was all Richard would allow, as they got just two hits over the next six innings against him. In two starts at Petco Park against the Dodgers this season, Richard has allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits in 14 innings, with no walks, nine strikeouts, and two wins. In his six starts in between those two victories, Richard was 0-5 with a 6.32 ERA.

After Jerry Sands doubled with one out in the fourth inning, San Diego pitchers retired 15 Dodgers in a row, including six by strikeout, before Bobby Abreu singled with one out in the ninth inning. Andre Ethier nearly followed with a fly ball single down the left field line, but James Darnell made a sliding catch to prevent the tying run from reaching base.

Capuano ran into more trouble in the seventh inning, thanks in part to his own throwing error on Andy Parrino's sacrifice bunt attempt. That led to a bases loaded situation with one out, and Capuano's removal from the game. Javy Guerra relieved Capuano, then walked the first hitter he faced for a run, but got out of the inning without any further damage.

Guerra has entered each of the last two games with the bases loaded, and thrown a total of 16 balls and 7 strikes. But each time, he allowed just one of the three inherited runners to score.

Ronald Belisario pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Dodgers, his sixth consecutive scoreless outing since returning from his suspension. In 5 2/3 innings so far this season, Belisario has allowed two hits and three walks, with four strikeouts.

Today's Particulars

Home Runs: Chase Headley (5)

WP - Clayton Richard (2-5): 7 IP, 4 hits, 2 run, 6 strikeouts

LP - Chris Capuano (5-1): 6 1/3 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 3 walks, 6 strikeouts

Sv - Dale Thayer (4): 1 IP, 1 hit

Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe, who was placed on the disabled list on Monday with a left wrist injury, could be out for longer than 15 days. Uribe had an MRI on his left wrist on Tuesday that confirmed a sprained left wrist. He is scheduled to see a hand specialist this weekend when the Dodgers return to Los Angeles.

Manager Don Mattingly said the MRI showed what could be arthritis or wear and tear, but trainer Sue Falsone declined to discuss specifics until Uribe met with the hand specialist.

"It's something that they're going to let calm down," Mattingly said of Uribe's wrist injury. "We feel like we'll be able to rest this thing and it will get better. If it doesn't, there are other steps we have to take."

When asked whether or not surgery on Uribe's wrist has been ruled out Falsone said, "We haven't ruled out anything at this point."

Meanwhile, Matt Kemp is expected to return on May 29, his first day eligible to be activated from the DL. Kemp, on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, received an injection of platelet-rich plasma on Tuesday, which was followed by rest yesterday and today.

Kemp will be able to hit off a tee on Thursday if he doesn't feel any pain in his hamstring, and will also begin a program of progressive movement. Falsone, like Mattingly, feels it would be best for Kemp to ultimately play in a minor league rehab game or two before returning to the Dodgers.

"The smart thing to do is put him in a game situation," Falsone said. "You can't mimic competition."

Starting Lineups

When asked if today's Dodgers lineup, with only Andre Ethier remaining from the opening day lineup of April 5, would qualify in spring training given the requirement to start at least four regulars or semi-regulars, Mattingly joked, "It will qualify next year in spring training."

Mattingly cited the funky mid-week two-day trip to San Diego with a day game after a night game, along with the Dodgers in the middle of a stretch of 13 games in 13 days, as reasons to give a day of rest to both A.J. Ellis and Mark Ellis.

Today's lineup is the product of having three starters plus a semi-regular reserve on the shelf. Mattingly put it simply, "It would be what I would normally do, but it just looks funny because nobody else is in the lineup."

Dee Gordon, who is hitting .156/.191/.178 (7-for-45) against left-handed pitchers this season, is sitting today against the southpaw Clayton Richard for the San Diego Padres. The slumping Gordon hit balls off a tee today during batting practice, a method Mattingly is fond of.

"You hit off that tee, and it helps you find your contact points. You can control exactly where the ball is, that's what I like about that," Mattingly said. "The guy can actually see the ball travel, as he knows if he's hitting it well or not. He gets instant feedback. In the cage sometimes the ball hits the net so quick you don't really quite know where you're hitting that ball."

Game Time: 3:35 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday

Game Time: 3:35 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday

The Dodgers look to rebound from Tuesday's defeat with a trip down to Petco Park to face the San Diego Padres for a brief two-game series. This is already the third series between these two clubs this season, and their second meeting in San Diego. The Dodgers took three of four in the season's opening weekend and have beaten the Padres in six of their seven meetings this season.

The Dodgers have won three games against the Padres in their final at-bat, including two walk-off wins, and have a 3-0 record in one-run games against the Padres this season. The Dodger bullpen has been relatively similar to the Friar pen in their seven games this year, though the Dodgers have allowed five more runs. The one similarity between the two bullpens has been their extreme wildness.

The man difference has been from the starters, with the Dodgers' starters sporting an ERA nearly half of their San Diego counterparts, plus roughly one extra strikeout every 2 1/3 innings or so.

Chris Capuano made his first start of the season at Petco Park, and through four innings had not allowed a run. But he ran out of gas in the fifth inning, walking three en route to a four-run inning that he didn't see the end of. But since that start Capuano has been attacking the strike zone, and it has paid off. Capuano has allowed six runs in his last six starts, with 35 strikeouts in 39 innings.

Clayton Richard gets the call for the Padres, making his third start of the season against the Dodgers. He shut down the Dodgers on April 8, allowing just two unearned runs on two hits, but since then is 0-5 with a 6.32 ERA in six starts.

Game Time: 3:35 p.m.

TV: KCAL

MLB Gameday

Minor League Player of the Day – Gustavo Gomez - 5.2 IP, 2 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 BB's, 5 K's. Options were limited for this award on Tuesday, so I'm giving it to Gomez who started off his evening with 5 innings of 1-hit ball. The soon to be 21 year old was terrible in the Midwest League in 2011, but so far in 2012 he has a solid 3.66 ERA for the Loons.

AAA – After losing 3 of their top hitters the Isotopes managed just 3 hits on Tuesday as they were stung by the Bees (Angels) 4 to 1. Recently promoted Tyler Henson's 2nd homer was the only extra base knock, while Ivan De Jesus and Matt Angle singled. New Mexico native and University of New Mexico alum Brian Cavazos-Galvez made his AAA debut and went 0 for 3, but when the Isotopes return home on Thursday it will be a big deal to the city to have him playing in Albuquerque. On the mound John Ely put together another solid game as he allowed just 4 hits and 3 runs over 6.1 innings, and he also struck out 8. Josh Wall allowed 4 hits and a run in relief in the loss.

AA – Ethan Martin had his worst start of the season on Tuesday, but he still managed to guide the Lookouts to a 9 - 4 win over the BayBears (Dbacks). Martin allowed 8 hits and 4 runs over 5 innings, including 3 solo homers, but the good news is that he only walked one as he improved his record to 5 - 0. Allen Webster made a surprise appearance out of the bullpen and tossed a scoreless frame, and I guessing this move is to try and get him back on track by allowing him to focus on just one inning. Red Patterson and Steve Ames both lowered their ERA to below 1.70 by combining for 3 innings of 1-hit ball. At the plate Blake Smith recorded a team high 2 RBI's by going 2 for 4 with a homer, while Matt Wallach also knocked one out of the park. Nick Buss and Luis Nunez also had multi-hit games for Chattanooga.

HiA – The Quakes lost to Lancaster (Astros) on Tuesday 7 - 3 as starter Garrett Gould fell to 0 - 4 for the season. Gould allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits over 6 innings, although he didn't walk a batter. The interesting thing about his season so far is that he started the year with 40 strikeouts over his initial 22.1 innings, but over his last 3 starts he only has a total of 6 K's over 16.2 innings. Strange stuff. Garrett was followed by Ryan Acosta and Bret Montgomery who both gave up a run. Chris O'Brien led the Rancho offense by going 3 for 4 with a double and a RBI, while Austin Gallagher also had a two-bagger. The only other player worth mentioning Leon Landry who went 2 for 5 with his 4th triple of the season.

LoA – Gustavo Gomez started the game by throwing 5 innings of 1 hit ball, but he tired a bit in the 6th and the Loons eventually lost 4 - 1 to the Lake County Captains (Indians). Despite the loss Gomez ended the day with a very solid line as he gave up just 2 hits and 2 runs over 5.2 frames and struck out 5. Matt Shelton allowed a pair of unearned runs in relief, and then Yimi Garcia shut out the opposition over the final 1.1 innings to lower his ERA to a miniscule 0.66. The Great Lakes offense managed just 3 hits in this game, and the only highlight was a Joe Winker solo homer.

Coming up – Only two games on Wednesday as both the Isotopes and Lookouts have the day off. Brandon Martinez will start a day game for the Quakes, while Arismendy Ozoria will try and halt the losing streak for the Loons.

Minor League Transactions – AAA: Kyle Russell was promoted from AA, Brian Cavazos Galvez was promoted from HiA, and JJ Ethel has been activated from the DL. AA: The recently signed Brahiam Maldonado, originally a 2004 10th round pick of the Mets, was assigned to the Lookouts. HiA: Jarrad Page was assigned back to the Quakes.

Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)

Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)

Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)

http://firstinning.com/daily/la

Chad Billingsley suffered through his second consecutive four-inning outing at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday in the Dodgers' 5-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks to cap their short two-game series.

Billingsley was able to pitch into the fifth inning on Tuesday but was unable to record any outs. All five batters he faced in the top of the fifth reached base via single. But manager Don Mattingly still liked what he saw from his starter.

"Honestly I thought Chad was pretty good today. He should have gotten out of the second with nothing, when he got the strikeout and the ball got away," Mattingly said. "[Justin] Upton hits the ball up the middle that if it's a step left it's a two ball. [Billingsley] was just a little bit unlucky."

Billingsley, who had one unintentional walk and three strikeouts in his four innings Tuesday, agreed.

"That's just the way the game goes. You can't do anything about it," Billingsley said. "I felt comfortable out there, attacking hitters. I was locating well today."

Billingsley said he worked in his side session on his delivery, specifically getting his hand out of his glove a little bit sooner. "Today I had pretty good timing with all my pitches," he said.

"The ball came out [of his hand] better tonight. Obviously we don't like the result, but I'm encouraged by how the ball came out," Mattingly said. "He's been working hard trying to get back to where he started the season, and getting his delivery where it needs to be, and just getting more consistent with it."

The Dodgers hope that the results come soon for Billingsley, who has allowed 20 runs (16 earned) in 24 1/3 innings over his last five starts, with 15 walks and 20 strikeouts. That beginning of the season for Billingsley, with featured a 1.33 ERA through three starts with just one walk and 17 strikeouts, is starting to seem like a long time ago.

Up Next

The Dodgers move on from one two-game series against a divisional foe to another two-game series against a divisional foe, as the Dodgers head south on Interstate 5 to face the San Diego Padres for the third time this season. Chris Capuano starts the opener for the Dodgers' shortest road trip of the season, with Clayton Richard getting the call for San Diego. Wednesday's game is an odd 3:35 p.m. PDT start time.