Dodgers look to spoil Padres home opener again

The Dodgers for the second consecutive season are the opponent for the Padres' home opener in San Diego, and are looking for their fifth straight win in that situation. Josh Beckett makes his second start of the season, facing Clayton Richard for San Diego.

This will be the seventh time in the Padres' 45 years that the Dodgers play in San Diego's home opener. The Dodgers lost the Padres' home opener in 1973 and 1988, both games lost by Don Suton, but since then the Dodgers have played spoiler in San Diego.

Apr. 6, 1973 - Padres 4, Dodgers 2: On opening day for both teams, Bill Russell had three hits for the Dodgers, but San Diego rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie and take the game.

Apr. 12, 1988 - Padres 5, Dodgers 3: Sutton, in the final year of his career and back with the Dodgers after seven years away, held a 3-1 lead but left with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Lefty Brad Havens was brought in to face John Kruk, who hit a grand slam to give the Padres the lead, and the win.

Apr. 10, 1990 - Dodgers 1, Padres 0: For some reason the Dodgers and Padres opened the season with one game at Dodger Stadium, then traveled south for a series in San Diego. Tim Belcher pitched a shutout in San Diego - his 10th shutout in 63 career starts to that point - for the Dodgers' second win in as many days, making Juan Samuel's fifth-inning home run against Eric Show stand up.

Apr. 9, 1992 - Dodgers 6, Padres 3: Brett Butler and Eric Karros homered in a four-run first inning, and Craig Lefferts was able to retire just one of the seven batters he faced. It was enough support for Tom Candiotti, who pitched into the eighth inning for the win.

Apr. 6, 2009 - Dodgers 4, Padres 1: One year after winning his major league debut at Petco Park, Hiroki Kuroda pitched into the sixth inning for a win on opening day. James Loney had three hits, two RBI, and a stolen base in the win, a rarity. Jake Peavy was 13-1 in 22 career starts against the Dodgers before that game, and the Padres had won his last nine starts against Los Angeles and 14 of his last 15 outings against the Dodgers.

Apr. 5, 2012 - Dodgers 5, Padres 3: On opening day for both teams, Clayton Kershaw left early but not because of anything the Padres did. Kershaw was sick, and in between puking was able to pitch three scoreless innings. Josh Lindblom and the bullpen picked up the slack, and Matt Kemp homered and drove in three runs to give the Dodgers the victory.

Game info

Time: 3:40 p.m. PT

TV: KCAL