Padres 4 - 5 Dodgers
Final
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Gordon, triple play key Dodgers' sweep

Apr 16, 2012 - 12:57 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Dee Gordon lined an 0-2 fastball the opposite way, just over the glove of Chase Headley to drive in the winning run in dramatic fashion as the Dodgers edged the Padres, 5-4, on Sunday.

Gordon's bases-loaded hit in the bottom of the ninth capped off a dizzying three-game series that saw a new Dodgers record for consecutive strikeouts and a walkoff-walk on Friday and an unorthodox triple play in the top of the ninth on Sunday.

Javy Guerra (1-0) recorded the win after getting help from the bizarre triple play, while Brad Brach (0-1) walked two and gave up two singles in the ninth to take the loss. Matt Kemp hit his fourth home run in three games.

The Dodgers brought in Guerra, their closer, with the game tied in the ninth. Guerra allowed a leadoff single to Yonder Alonso and walked Chase Headley, but escaped in peculiar fashion.

Guerra threw up and in on Jesus Guzman, who was attempting to sacrifice bunt. The ball struck Guzman's bat and bounced directly downward. Guzman and both Padres on base believed that home plate umpire Dale Scott had signaled that the ball was foul and therefore did not run, but Scott apparently had not done so. Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis threw down the line to third baseman Juan Uribe to initiate the around-the-horn triple play.

Padres manager Bud Black was ejected for arguing with Scott over the decision.

"I saw the umpire go up to Guzman and point to his right leg, and thought it was foul. The home plate umpire raised his hands twice, then pointed that it was fair. I wasn't satisfied with his call," said Black.

Los Angeles's series sweep is part of a six-game consecutive win streak, and the Dodgers are 9-1 on the season for the first time since 1981, the year the franchise won its fifth World Series.

Clayton Kershaw got the start for Los Angeles and scattered eight hits while allowing four runs -- three earned -- in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked three. Padres starter Edinson Volquez also received a no-decision for the four runs on six hits and five walks he gave up in five frames.

"I didn't have my best stuff, but the way we've been playing we were able to pull it out anyway," said Kershaw. "Our confidence level is very high right now and I think we're going to win a lot more games."

Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera opened the scoring in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly, respectively.

Kemp's sixth homer of the season, a solo shot to right-center in the home half of the third, restored the Dodgers' two-run edge after Chris Denorfia doubled home Cameron Maybin in the top half. Juan Rivera pushed that lead to three later in the inning, plating Ethier with a base hit.

"I think this is the second time I've hit one on Jackie Robinson day," Kemp said. "But we're getting it done. [Pointing to Gordon's locker] He's my dog man. I told him no matter how bad things are at the start, you've always got a chance to win games."

Kershaw walked three around a Will Venable sacrifice bunt in the sixth, and Orlando Hudson made him pay with an RBI single. Kershaw was pulled in favor of Josh Lindblom, who had to face pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida. Hermida fouled off seven pitches before going the other way for a two-run single to tie the game.

Game Notes

It was the first triple play turned by Los Angeles since June 13, 1998, and only the second to occur in Dodger Stadium...The Dodgers have beaten the Padres in 16 of their last 19 games, dating back to July 2011...San Diego was 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. LA was 3-for-13.






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