The Los Angeles Dodgers took the field Saturday night looking to avoid their first six-game losing streak since they dropped eight consecutive games in May 2013. San Diego, meanwhile, was fresh off ending a five-game skid, and nine-game losing streak to the Dodgers.
Ross Stripling began the night on a positive note, needing just eight pitches to retire the side in order in the first inning. Corey Seager drew a one-out walk, but Colin Rea proceeded to strikeout Justin Turner looking, and got Adrian Gonzalez to ground out.
Stripling retired the first two batters faced in the second inning before allowing back-to-back singles. He was then forced to a full count before striking out Adam Rosales to complete another scoreless frame.
Yasmani Grandal and Kiké Hernandez hit consecutive singles with no outs in the bottom of the second. Hernandez was erased on a Carl Crawford grounder that left runners on the corners. The Dodgers’ offensive slump continued as Joc Pederson grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Stripling ran into trouble in the third inning as a consecutive string of doubles from Jon Jay, Wil Myers and Matt Kemp gave the Padres a 2-0 lead. Rea walked Stripling to start the bottom of the third and it cost him as Utley followed with his first home run of the season.
Stripling retired the Padres in order in the fourth, ending the inning with a strikeout. After Crawford hit a two-out triple, Rea intentionally walked Pederson to face Stripling. The decision paid off for the Padres as Stripling struck out swinging.
CONTINUE READING: Padres stage two-out rally in fifth inning
