Dodgers won’t face Mat Latos on Monday

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The Dodgers won’t face National League earned-run average leader Mat Latos in the first of their three games in San Diego this week, as the 22-year-old right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start Monday because of stomach flu. Latos’ place will be taken by right-hander Tim Stauffer, who has made only one start this season and is 8-14 with a 5.03 earned-run average in his career as a starter.

Latos is tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday.

The postponement of Latos’ start comes at a time when the Padres are trying to stop a 10-game skid and prevent the San Francisco Giants from climbing into a tie for the lead in the National League West with them. The Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-0, Monday afternoon to move half a game behind the Padres.

The Dodgers are beginning their series opener in San Diego eight games behind first place.

‘We have to start sweeping, not only this series, but the next series,’ Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said.

-- Dylan Hernandez in San Diego