The Dodgers provided just the right medicine for the Padres' ills, as San Diego ended a 10-game losing streak with a 4-2 win in the opener of a three-game series at Petco Park. For the first time since May 12, the Dodgers are at the .500 mark on the season, at 69-69.
The last three Dodgers series, all series losses, began with a win, only to see the Dodgers lose the next two games. So, perhaps the Dodgers have found a new formula for series success.
The game ended up a bullpen game, with both starters only pitching four innings. Vicente Padilla was limited in his first game back from the disabled list, and he allowed three runs in his four innings, including a home run by Nick Hundley. Padilla threw 59 pitches, and pounded the zone with 40 strikes. He had one walk and five strikeouts on the night.
Mat Latos was scheduled to start tonight for the Padres, but had a "violent" stomach flu, per Corey Brock of MLB.com, and was a late scratch. Tim Stauffer started in his place and allowed one run in his four innings. This game became one in which the official scorer awarded the win to the relief pitcher deemed to be the most effective, and tonight that was Mike Adams, who got five outs in the seventh and eighth innings, with three strikeouts.
Latos will start Tuesday's game instead, matching up with Clayton Kershaw.
Scott Podsednik hit his first home run as a Dodger, a shot to right field in the seventh inning that pulled the Dodgers to within one, at 3-2.
Tony Jackson at ESPN LA writes that outfielder Trent Oeltjen could be the next Albuquerque Isotope to join the Dodgers, as soon as Tuesday, but a corresponding move would need to be made to fit Oeltjen on the 40-man roster. None of the five called up today played in the game tonight.
I was out most of the night, and didn't catch the game thread until after the game, but I can only add that I think Bride of Kavula would do the right thing.
WP - Mike Adams (3-1): 1 2/3 IP, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
LP - Vicente Padilla (6-5): 4 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
Sv - Heath Bell (38): 1 IP, 2 strikeouts