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Dodgers seek four-game sweep in San Diego

Apr 8, 2012 - 2:32 PM (Sports Network) - Aaron Harang takes the ball for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon when they go for a four-game sweep against his former team, the San Diego Padres, at Petco Park.

Harang, a San Diego native, enjoyed a terrific bounce-back season last year with the Padres, going 14-7 with a 3.64 ERA in 28 starts. He had won just 18 games in his three previous seasons with the Reds, including a 17-loss campaign in 2008.

In six spring starts, Harang went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA. He's 3-4 in 10 games (nine starts) against his former team with a 4.11 ERA.

The Padres, meanwhile, will counter with left-hander Clayton Richard, who missed most of the second half last season because of a shoulder issue that eventually required surgery. He ended the year 5-9 with a 3.88 ERA.

Richard, who is 4-1 lifetime versus the Dodgers, appeared healthy this spring, but pitched to a 9.00 ERA in 14 innings.

The Dodgers improved to 3-0 on Saturday, as Dee Gordon went 3-for-4 and knocked in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning, propelling Los Angeles to a 6-5 win.

Gordon also scored twice and stole three bases for the Dodgers, who have started the year with three straight victories for the first time since 1999. They haven't been 4-0 since opening their 1981 championship season with six straight wins.

A.J. Ellis went 2-for-3 with a solo homer for Los Angeles. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp each drove in two runs.

"This was a big win for us. It kind of showed a different way that we can win games and a lot of guys stepped up," said Ellis. "It was just a really good team win."

Chris Capuano got the start for LA and gave up four runs on two hits and five walks over 4 2/3 innings. Todd Coffey (1-0) pitched a scoreless 10th to pick up his first win in a Dodgers uniform.

Chase Headley, Jesus Guzman, Nick Hundley and Orlando Hudson all knocked in a run for the Padres, who are off to an 0-3 start for the first time since 2003 and haven't lost four straight to start a year since 1994.

San Diego starter Dustin Moseley allowed five runs on five hits in five full frames. Anthony Bass (0-1) gave up one run on two hits in two innings of relief to take the loss.

Los Angeles won 13 of its 18 games against the Padres a season ago, including six of the nine matchups in San Diego. A win today would give the Dodgers their first four-game sweep in San Diego since 2001.