Vicente Padilla throws two-hit shutout as Dodgers stomp Padres, 9-0
Vicente Padilla, Opening Day starter, indeed.
Who’s laughing now?
Padilla made another outstanding start Wednesday night, going 6 1/3 innings before allowing his first hit and throwing a two-hit shutout, while the Dodgers offense woke for a 9-0 pounding of the Padres.
The victory was the Dodgers' second straight over the Padres, following a six-game losing streak, and it left them seven games back of San Diego in the National League West.
On a night that began with the Dodgers learning they had lost catcher Russell Martin to a right hip labral tear, good news was in serious demand.
An offense that has struggled for weeks gave Padilla (5-3) an early lead with a three-run second inning off Padres starter Wade LeBlanc.
Casey Blake opened with a double, and one out later scored on a Jamey Carroll single. LeBlanc hit Brad Ausmus, starting in place of Martin, with a pitch and Padilla’s bunt sacrificed the runners to second and third.
Scott Podsednik, batting just .160 as a Dodger, then blooped a single to center to score two and give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
The Dodgers added one more in the third. Blake singled and scored when Ronnie Belliard doubled off the left-center wall.
The Dodgers made it a runaway with five runs in the eighth. Carroll singled, stole second and scored on a Padilla hit up the middle. After a walk to Podsednik, Ryan Theriot -- 1 for 16 as a Dodger -- hit a two-run double.
Andre Ethier, who had already doubled twice, then hit his 17th home run of the year to make it an official rout.
The rest was all about Padilla on the mound.
The Padres avoided being no-hit when Ryan Ludwick singled sharply to right with one out in the seventh. Chase Headley followed with a hit up the middle, but Padilla then got catcher Yorvit Torrealba to bounce into a double play.
They were the only two hits he allowed. In his nine innings, he walked two (one intentionally) and struck out nine.
In his nine starts since returning from the disabled list with a sore elbow, he is 4-2 with a 1.80 earned-run average.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Who’s laughing now?
Padilla made another outstanding start Wednesday night, going 6 1/3 innings before allowing his first hit and throwing a two-hit shutout, while the Dodgers offense woke for a 9-0 pounding of the Padres.
The victory was the Dodgers' second straight over the Padres, following a six-game losing streak, and it left them seven games back of San Diego in the National League West.
On a night that began with the Dodgers learning they had lost catcher Russell Martin to a right hip labral tear, good news was in serious demand.
An offense that has struggled for weeks gave Padilla (5-3) an early lead with a three-run second inning off Padres starter Wade LeBlanc.
Casey Blake opened with a double, and one out later scored on a Jamey Carroll single. LeBlanc hit Brad Ausmus, starting in place of Martin, with a pitch and Padilla’s bunt sacrificed the runners to second and third.
Scott Podsednik, batting just .160 as a Dodger, then blooped a single to center to score two and give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
The Dodgers added one more in the third. Blake singled and scored when Ronnie Belliard doubled off the left-center wall.
The Dodgers made it a runaway with five runs in the eighth. Carroll singled, stole second and scored on a Padilla hit up the middle. After a walk to Podsednik, Ryan Theriot -- 1 for 16 as a Dodger -- hit a two-run double.
Andre Ethier, who had already doubled twice, then hit his 17th home run of the year to make it an official rout.
The rest was all about Padilla on the mound.
The Padres avoided being no-hit when Ryan Ludwick singled sharply to right with one out in the seventh. Chase Headley followed with a hit up the middle, but Padilla then got catcher Yorvit Torrealba to bounce into a double play.
They were the only two hits he allowed. In his nine innings, he walked two (one intentionally) and struck out nine.
In his nine starts since returning from the disabled list with a sore elbow, he is 4-2 with a 1.80 earned-run average.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Where is that poster who wanted to trade Padilla. What's he got to say now? The Dodgers already made a mistake of letting Pedro Martinez and Edwin Jackson go. Now it's James McDonald. I am not going to be surprised to hear in a few years JMac being a household name like Halladay and Cliff Lee.
Padilla and Kershaw is a keeper. Please don't trade them!!!
Posted by: mti312 | 08/04/2010 at 09:48 PM
Wow!!!Know that was fun to watch!!!VIVA PADILLA!!!
Posted by: LA42 | 08/05/2010 at 01:47 AM
Even Theriot got a hit.
Amazing what a little offense can do for a pitching staff that has to pitch so fine all the time. No bullpen woes this night - that's what I call relief.
Now can you back it up with another W?
Posted by: alanw19 | 08/05/2010 at 04:47 AM
Yes, McDonald and Lambo for Dotal could end be an all-time classic.
Posted by: blakedewitt'seyeblack | 08/05/2010 at 05:13 AM
Viva la Soap Bubble!!
Posted by: Pub Wisdom | 08/05/2010 at 10:37 AM