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Guerra recovers in ninth as Dodgers edge Padres

Jul 9, 2011 - 5:15 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Rafael Furcal singled in Trent Oeltjen in the eighth inning, and Javy Guerra escaped a bases-loaded, no-out mess in the ninth, as the Dodgers held on for a 1-0 win over the San Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game series.

Chad Billingsley (8-7) allowed four hits over eight innings. The right-hander walked five and had four strikeouts to win for the third time in four starts.

Cameron Maybin doubled to the gap in right-center leading off the ninth, and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch on his left foot. Rob Johnson was then hit on his hand as he pulled the bat back on a bunt attempt, loading the bases with nobody out.

"I had to calm down and let everything settle," Guerra said.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly came out of the dugout to the mound, but stayed with Guerra.

"I didn't want him to pull me. I got us in this situation and I just wanted to get the next guy, then the next guy, and then the next guy," Guerra said.

Guerra, who had two saves in 17 previous major league appearances, then fell behind 2-0 in the count to pinch-hitter Kyle Phillips. He came back to fan Phillips and then struck out Will Venable on three pitches.

Jason Bartlett was San Diego's last chance and he lined a ball to center. Matt Kemp made a running catch to end the game, giving Los Angeles its second straight win.

"Javy Guerra, that was unbelievable what he did," Billingsley said. "Lead-off double, hit two guys. He bared down and showed a lot of maturity."

Mat Latos (5-10) gave up five hits, walked two batters and fanned six over 7 1/3 innings to suffer his fourth loss in five decisions.

It was the third straight one-run defeat for the Padres, who went 0-for-11 with men in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.

"We set another level of frustration tonight," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Latos pitched a great game. We leave runners on base all night and then load the bases in the ninth with none out and couldn't score. It's an old story."

The eighth-inning rally started with an A.J. Ellis single. He was lifted for Oeltjen, who advanced on a sacrifice bunt by pinch-hitter Jamey Carroll. Tony Gwynn Jr. singled to right field before Furcal grounded a base hit to the same field for the game's only run.

It was a case of missed chances for the Padres, as they left a runner at third in the opening inning and had two men on base in the fourth, fifth and eighth.

Game Notes

Billingsley moved to 11-7 lifetime against the Padres. Those are his most victories against any club...The Padres recalled catcher Luis Martinez from Triple-A Tucson and placed catcher Nick Hundley on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow...Furcal is 3-for-20 since being reinstated from the disabled list on Sunday. He missed 63 games on the DL with a strained left oblique and fractured left thumb.