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Dodgers turn to Kershaw against Padres

Sep 2, 2008 - 1:52 PM San Diego (53-84) at LA Dodgers (68-70), 10:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers nearly drowned with a recent eight-game losing streak. Now, they count on rookie Clayton Kershaw to keep them afloat in the rough waters of the National League playoff race.

The 20-year-old lefthander and the Dodgers continue their three-game set against the lowly San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Kershaw (2-5, 4.56 ERA) recently rattled off five straight brilliant starts, allowing five runs overall, but has fizzled in last two. The 20-year-old lefthander surrendered 11 runs and 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals, respectively, before being optioned to Class AAA Las Vegas on Friday.

He is expected to be recalled before the game and must produce if the Dodgers hope to keep pace with the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks (70-67). Los Angeles is 2 1/2 games behind Arizona, but 12 1/2 behind the Milwaukee Brewers (80-57) in the wild-card hunt.

San Diego counters with Cha Seung Baek (4-9, 4.99), who has dropped four of his last five outings. The 28-year-old righthander is coming off a no-decision on Wednesday in which he gave up two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks.

He has yielded three runs or less in six of his last 10 outings, but lasted at least seven innings just once in that span.

Greg Maddux tied Roger Clemens for eighth place on the career list with his 354th victory in the opener, holding the Padres to two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 frames in the 5-2 bout.

Maddux (7-11) allowed two runs and six hits, struck out four and walked none. It was the four-time Cy Young winner's third start with the Dodgers since the Padres traded him back to Los Angeles on August 19, after Brad Penny went on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.