Tim Federowicz homers in win over Padres

Yasiel Puig wasn't the only Dodgers rookie to shine in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres. Rookie catcher Tim Federowicz had two hits, including a two-run home run in the second inning in the win. It was the second home run in three games for Federowicz in June.

It has been a nice turnaround from his 3-for-22 start to the season, one that included three different options back to Triple-A Albuquerque.

"I'm just trying to lock myself back in. I wasn't thinking the way I normally do out there," Federowicz said. "Maybe the game sped up on me a little bit to start out. But I'm starting to take breaths, take time and get back to my approach."

The Dodgers trailed 3-0 in the second when Federowicz turned on a ball from Clayton Richard and hit down the line into the left field seats to pull the Dodgers within 3-2.

"Fed's been swinging the bat good. He hits the home run in Denver. His home run was a big home run. With Fed it is a situation of what we've been looking for," said manager Don Mattingly. "We had this plan put in place where he was backing up and spelling A.J. more and more. It just hasn't worked out like that this year. Only now we're getting there."

With A.J. Ellis currently on the disabled list, Federowicz will certainly get more playing time, splitting time behind the plate with Ramon Hernandez.

But given that the catchers at Triple-A are J.R. Towles, Matt Wallach, and Steve Cilladi, there is no way Hernandez is going anywhere anytime soon to deplete the already razor thin system catching depth. That means that unless the Dodgers decide to carry three catchers, Federowicz will likely head back to Triple-A once Ellis returns from the disabled list.

But that doesn't mean Federowicz can't use his time to make a good impression.