Dodgers Take 3 Out Of 4 From Padres; Still 7.5 Ahead In West
SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com/AP) — A.J. Ellis had an RBI single and the Dodgers capitalized on some sloppy Padres defense as Los Angeles beat San Diego 5-1 on Sunday.
Ellis put Los Angeles ahead 2-1 with a sharp single to left in the sixth.
With the bases loaded in the seventh, Padres reliever Nick Vincent had a two-out, three-base throwing error after fielding Andre Ethier's dribbler up the first base line. Vincent tossed it over first baseman Wil Myers' head, allowing three runs to score.
The Dodgers have won 11 of their last 13 and are a season-high 20 games above .500.
The Padres have lost three straight and five of six.
Brett Anderson (9-8) pitched 5 2-3 innings, surrendering one run on four hits and four walks. He struck out four before leaving with a cramp in his left calf.
Andrew Cashner (5-14) worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked four with five strike outs in losing for the 12th time in his last 16 decisions.
The Padres appeared poised to tie the game in the sixth with runners on the corners and two outs.
20 games over .500! @Dodgers beat Padres, 5-1 as Justin Turner goes 2-4 with 2 R. Dodgers win 11 of last 13. pic.twitter.com/RuVSl4LTc8
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) September 6, 2015
Pinch-hitter Melvin Upton, Jr., faced reliever J.P. Howell and hit a hard grounder to third base, where it ricocheted off Corey Seager to Jimmy Rollins. Rollins threw Upton out at first base.
The Dodgers seized the 2-1 advantage when Justin Upton couldn't field Ellis' one-out, sinking line drive in left. Upton left his feet and the ball glanced off his glove for a single that allowed Justin Turner, who opened the inning with a double, to score. Casher avoided further damage when Joc Pederson hit into a double play.
After 136 games for the Dodgers... 2015: 78-58 NL West lead of 7.5 2014: 76-60 NL West lead of 2.0 2013: 81-55 NL West lead of 11.5
— Ryan Walton (@RyanWaltonMLB) September 6, 2015
San Diego tied the game 1-1 on Jedd Gyorko's third-inning, one-out home run to left. It was Gyorko's third homer of the four-game series and 13th on the year.
The Dodgers struck in the first inning on Ethier's sacrifice fly, with Crawford scoring. Crawford reached on a one-out walk and advanced when Adrian Gonzalez walked and Turner was hit by a pitch
TRAINERS ROOM
PADRES: RHP Josh Johnson (right elbow) won't pitch again this season after shutting down his minor league rehabilitation stint Friday after just four pitches. Johnson, who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries, will meet with Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday.
DODGERS: 2B Howie Kendrick (left hamstring) will join the club in Anaheim and could be activated by the end of the week.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Zach Greinke (15-3, 1.59) starts a three-game series in Anaheim against the Angles on Monday. Greinke leads the majors in ERA, quality starts (25) and opponents' batting average (.189).
Padres: RHP Ian Kennedy (8-12, 3.88) will kick off a four-game series against the visiting Rockies on Monday. Kennedy has lost three of his last four starts, but has been pitching well. Over those four games, he's allowed but five runs.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
