Dodgers Vs Padres Preview: Beckett Tasked With Returning To Win Column
The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a heart-breaking loss Friday against the San Diego Padres after leading 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen blew his third save of the season as he gave up three earned runs, capped off with a sacrifice fly to Padres shortstop Evereth Cabrera to end the game.
Josh becket now takes the mound and looks to tie the series at one game a piece. Beckett has yet to face the Padres this season, but he’s fared well against them in his career. The right-hander is 5-2 in eight career starts against the Padres and has a 2.14 ERA. Beckett earned a no-decision the only time he faced the Padres last season.
The Padres will counter with Tyson Ross. The right-hander is coming off a loss to the Seattle Mariners, where he gave up five earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings pitched. The Dodgers beat Ross in his first start this season back on April 2 as he allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits. Ross does throw better at Petco Park, holding a 2.33 home ERA compared to a 4.13 ERA on the road.
Though in a limited number of at-bats, Adrian Gonzalez has hit Ross well, hitting a career .444 on 4-for-9. With Yasiel Puig suffering a hip muscle strain Friday, Gonzalez and others may need to emerge as key contributors in the lineup.
The Padres have struggled this season offensively, ranking dead last in average, runs scored, hits, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Despite their struggles at the plate, they are riding a three-game winning streak after splitting a four-game series with the Mariners.
Seth Smith has been the most consistent hitter for the Padres. Smith blasted two home runs against Dan Haren in Friday’s contest. He finished the game 3-for-3 with the two home runs, a double and two runs scored, which boosted his average to .291 on the year.
Dodgers Lineup:
2B: Gordon
SS: Ramirez
RF: Puig
1B: Gonzalez
LF: Kemp
CF: Ethier
3B: Turner
C: Butera
P: Beckett
Padres Lineup:
CF: Venable
SS: Cabrera
RF: Smith
1B: Medica
C: Rivera
LF: Goebbert
3B: Amarista
2B: Peterson
P: Ross
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