Hyun-Jin Ryu came off the DL to hold the Padres to one run over seven innings in a 7-1 win. Ryu improved to 14-6, throwing 84 pitches through his seven inning stint, and striking out seven batters. Ryu looked like he had not missed a beat, showing impressive control while walking none. Ryu holds an ERA of 3.18. Pedro Baez cleaned up over the next two innings, holding the Padres scoreless in his two innings of work and striking out two Padres.
The scoring had been dormant through the first two games of the series at Petco for the Dodgers, losing both of those games in extra innings, scoring a combined three runs. Yasiel Puig moved into the lead-off spot, doubling in his first appearance to begin the game. Scott Van Slyke hit a line drive to right field to take the early 1-0 lead. After a walk from Hanley Ramirez and a single by Adrian Gonzalez, the Dodgers drove in another run to take the lead with a Matt Kemp single to center field.
Los Angeles poured it on the eighth inning, driving in four to take a commanding lead and eventual win. Gonzalez and Kemp both got on base before a Carl Crawford walk that loaded the bases. Juan Uribe, also making his return from the DL, singled to drive in Gonzalez from third. With A.J. Ellis batting, a wild pitch allowed Kemp to score and Ellis eventually drew the walk. Darwin Barney singled to drive in the final run of the inning. Gonzalez singled to lead off the ninth for his fourth hit of the afternoon. Uribe’s RBI double stretched the lead 7-1.
The Dodgers put together twelve hits, batting a much better 6-10 with runners in scoring position to avoid the sweep. The slumping Puig finished 1-5 in the lead-off spot, striking out twice, and scoring a run.
The Dodgers close out the month of August with the win and head home to Los Angeles to open up a three game series with the NL East leading Washington Nationals. Roberto Hernandez will face his former team in the opening game Monday.