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Padres-Dodgers Preview

Jun 10, 2009 - 6:58 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

San Diego (27-31) at Los Angeles (40-20), 10:10 p.m. EDT

Although the San Diego Padres are staying in Los Angeles through the weekend, Andre Ethier probably wishes they would play a few more games at Dodger Stadium.

Ethier and the NL West-leading Dodgers look to continue their home dominance over the Padres and sweep a two-game set Wednesday night.

Before Tuesday's series opener with San Diego (27-31), suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez made a surprise appearance in the Dodgers' clubhouse. Los Angeles (40-20) responded to the slugger's visit with four home runs in a 6-4 win.

The Dodgers haven't been slowed much by Ramirez's suspension, going 19-12 without the 12-time All-Star in the lineup to open an 8 1/2-game division lead over second-place San Francisco.

"We're excited for him to get back," Ethier said. "We can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Ethier led the Dodgers' surge Tuesday with two home runs for his second multihomer performance in the last three games. He's 13 for 31 (.419) with five home runs and seven RBIs during a season-high eight-game hitting streak, and has also been instrumental to Los Angeles' recent success over the Padres at Chavez Ravine.

The Dodgers right fielder is batting .486 (18 for 37) with three home runs, eight RBIs and a .568 on-base percentage in his last 11 home games versus San Diego with the Dodgers winning 10 of those contests.

Los Angeles, which swept a four-game series from the Padres from April 30-May 3 at Dodger Stadium, hasn't won six straight home games over San Diego in a single season since reeling off seven in a row in 1974.

Dodger Stadium isn't the only place causing problems for the Padres, who have dropped 19 of their last 23 away from Petco Park.

San Diego, which continues a five-game road trip Friday with a three-game interleague series at Angel Stadium, has lost six of eight this month after winning 12 of its last 15 in May.

In the finale at Dodger Stadium, Wade LeBlanc is set to make his first start of the season after being recalled from Triple-A Portland.

Chad Gaudin was originally scheduled to start, but after throwing two innings in Sunday's 18-inning, 9-6 loss to Arizona just two days after making 98 pitches, manager Bud Black announced the right-hander would be pushed back.

"It's a little too much for a fellow to pitch on Friday, Sunday, Wednesday, so we're going to back him off," Black said.

LeBlanc will make his first appearance of the season for the Padres after going 1-3 with a 4.29 ERA in 10 games for the Beavers.

Although the left-hander made only four starts for San Diego last season, he should be familiar with the Dodgers. LeBlanc made three starts against Los Angeles in 2008, going 0-2 with a 9.24 ERA.

The Dodgers counter with Clayton Kershaw (3-4, 4.26 ERA), who's been at his best at Dodger Stadium, allowing five runs in 29 1-3 innings over five starts. Unfortunately, he's been backed by five runs of support leaving the left-hander with a 1-1 record at home.

On Thursday, Kershaw gave up two runs and four hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-0 home loss to Philadelphia, the fifth time in seven starts he yielded two or fewer runs.

Kershaw has given up one run over 12 innings in two starts against the Padres this season, but didn't factor in the decision in either.