Dodgers move out of last place with a 4-1 victory over the Padres
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They did it.
The Dodgers went into All-Star break in fourth place, soaring out of last place with a 4-1 victory over the San Diego Padres, who now occupy the bottom position in the National League West.
Behind two home runs by Andre Ethier, the Dodgers extended their winning streak to a season-long four games and improved to 10 games under .500.
The Padres looked like a team determined to prove no team is worse than theirs, as the Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on a two-run throwing error by Chase Headley. With no outs and bases loaded, Headley made a diving stop on a sharply hit grounder by Matt Kemp.
Headley elected to throw home from one knee, but delivered the ball far right of catcher Rob Johnson, allowing Tony Gwynn Jr. and Rafael Furcal to score.
The Dodgers increased their lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Ethier. The home run was the eighth of the season for Ethier, who will be one of three players to represent the Dodgers at the All-Star game.
Ethier homered again in the eighth inning.
This was Ethier’s first multi-home run game of the season.
Dodgers starter Ted Lilly won for the first time in five starts, as he held the Padres to one run and four hits in five innings.
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-- Dylan Hernandez