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Dodgers try to bounce back at Petco Park

Aug 30, 2014 - 12:37 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers look to bounce back when they resume a three-game series Saturday with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

The Dodgers lost Friday's opener, 3-2, in 12 innings and saw their lead atop the NL West shrink to 3 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco. Yasmani Grandal's RBI single off Kevin Correia lifted the Padres to victory and halted LA's winning streak at two games.

Hanley Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, and injured his left leg in the sixth inning. He is day-to-day.

"I'm sure he's going to be sore tomorrow," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.

Ramirez has been plagued by injuries all season for the Dodgers, who had won six of their previous eight games. LA is still a strong 42-27 on the road.

Justin Turner recorded three hits and Yasiel Puig was not in the starting lineup. Puig, though, did pinch-hit in the seventh, but struck out swinging to end the inning. He is hitless in his last 19 at-bats.

"I can't say what he needs," Mattingly said. "I've seen guys here early, I've seen guys in the Hall of Fame that get to the park late, get ready to play, and go. There's not any one way to do it. He has to figure out his way and get ready. He needs the mental approach to keep his body good and his mind right. It's a balance."

Dan Haren got the start for Los Angeles on Friday and gave up two runs -- one earned -- in six innings.

Dodgers starter Zack Greinke hopes to string back-to-back wins together Saturday and ended a four-start winless (0-2) drought in last Saturday's 7-4 win over the New York Mets. Greinke was shaky at times and allowed four runs -- three earned -- and nine hits in seven innings.

Greinke, who was only 1-4 in his previous five decisions before beating the Mets, is 13-8 with a 2.79 earned run average. The right-hander has a 6-6 mark in 14 road starts and is unbeaten (4-0) in six career starts against the Padres with a 2.00 ERA.

He defeated San Diego on April 1, tossing five innings of two-run ball in a 3-2 victory at Petco Park.

The Padres have won three in a row and four of their last five games. Grandal delivered the game-winning hit last night, while Rene Rivera and Alexi Amarista finished with two hits and an RBI apiece.

"I didn't have my best day today, but made good contact on the ball and was able to get the base hit at the end," said Grandal, who was 1-for-5.

Andrew Cashner struck out eight batters and did not allow a walk in six solid innings, charged with one run and six hits. Tim Stauffer picked up the win.

San Diego, which has a 15-10 record in August, is 37-28 at home and 3-1 on an 11-day, 10-game homestand. Arizona will visit the Padres next for four games.

Since June 29, the Padres have won 18 of their last 23 games at Petco Park.

Ian Kennedy will start opposite of Greinke Saturday night and has alternated wins and losses in his last four starts. Kennedy gave up three runs in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-4 win at Arizona last Sunday and has allowed three or more runs in each of the past three trips to the mound.

Kennedy has a 10-11 mark with a 3.75 ERA and is 4-5 in 13 home starts. In 15 career starts against the Dodgers, the right-hander is 5-6 with a 4.27 ERA. Kennedy is winless (0-2) in four starts against Los Angeles this season.

The Dodgers are 9-5 against the Friars this season.