• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Martin propels Dodgers past Padres

Jun 11, 2008 - 6:18 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Russell Martin had three hits and drove in three runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers used a four-run seventh inning to topple the San Diego Padres, 7-2, in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.

Matt Kemp collected three RBI and rookie Clayton Kershaw pitched effectively into the sixth inning in his fourth career start for the Dodgers, who have won three of their last four contests.

Martin, who opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first, capitalized on a pair of fielding miscues by Padres outfielders in the decisive seventh inning.

Delwyn Young was credited with a one-out double after San Diego right fielder Brian Giles appeared to lose the ball in the lights, and Juan Pierre followed with a base hit, which appeared to be an easy flyout. However, neither center fielder Scott Hairston nor left fielder Justin Huber made a play on the ball.

After Andre Ethier walked and Jeff Kent grounded into a fielder's choice, Martin slapped a two-run single into left field to give the Dodgers a 3-2 edge. The Padres then intentionally walked James Loney, and Matt Kemp's infield single plated two more runs.

"We got lucky," Martin said. "The ball in the lights, and then the fly ball in left field. Anytime a team gives you a couple of breaks, you've got to take advantage of them. Fortunately, we did today."

"(Martin) hits a 20-hopper ground ball and two runs score," San Diego reliever Heath Bell said. "Maybe I should've thrown him a breaking ball there. I messed up. I let the team down. My fault."

Los Angeles reliever Scott Proctor (1-0) uncorked a wild pitch in the sixth that plated a run but recorded two outs to pick up the victory.

Justin Hampson (0-1) was tagged with the loss after surrendering two runs without retiring a batter.

Kemp singled again in the ninth to bring home Luis Maza, and Martin scored on an error by Adrian Gonzalez on the play to cap the scoring.

"We've struggled, but we're starting to come together a little bit," Kemp said. "We're starting to get some things going, so hopefully we can keep the bats going and keep scoring runs for our pitchers."

Greg Maddux exited the game with San Diego ahead, 2-1. Gonzalez singled home brother Edgar Gonzalez in the third and Kevin Kouzmanoff scored on the wild pitch by Proctor.

"It wasn't easy," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "Maddux teases you. He's a master at it, but we kept plugging away. I thought tonight we played nine innings hard, and in this league, that's what you need to do, because if you let down, somebody is going to take advantage of you."

The 42-year-old Maddux, who made his major league debut before Kershaw was born, yielded two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out one and walked three after not issuing a walk in his prior two starts.

"Maddux has been pitching great," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Again, he did his job. What more can you say? He's pitching great."

Hairston collected two hits for the Padres, who had their season-high five-game winning streak snapped.