Padres 7, Dodgers 6: Pinch runner Everth Cabrera stole home with two outs in the ninth inning and Will Venable crossed the plate thanks to a throwing error on the same play as visiting San Diego halted a four-game losing streak with a stunning victory.
Kenley Jansen (4-3) appeared on the verge of escaping a major jam as he struck out Cameron Maybin with runners on first and third and no outs, then induced a pop-up by pinch hitter Mark Kotsay after Venable stole second. One strike away from fanning Alexi Amarista and earning his 17th save, Jansen made a mental error that cost his team the game.
After receiving the return throw from catcher A.J. Ellis, Jansen walked back toward the pitching rubber, kicked at the mound and turned his back to home plate. Cabrera took advantage of the negligence, scampering down the line and sliding into the plate to score the tying run as Jansen's throw sailed over Ellis' glove. Venable never stopped running on the play and beat Ellis' throw from the backstop to give San Diego a 7-6 lead.
The bizarre happening put a damper on an impressive offensive performance by Los Angeles' Andre Ethier, who went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs. Matt Kemp also collected three hits for the Dodgers, who have lost four of five.
Alex Hinshaw (1-1) retired both batters he faced in the eighth and All-Star Huston Street worked a perfect ninth for his 14th save in as many opportunities.
Carlos Quentin homered and drove in three runs while Chase Headley belted a two-run shot for the Padres.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Prior to the game, the Dodgers placed Javy Guerra on the bereavement list and recalled fellow RHP Josh Wall from Triple-A Albuquerque. Guerra left the team to be with his father, who suffered a heart attack on Friday. ... San Diego RHP Micah Owings, who has been on the disabled list since April 26 with a strained forearm, is contemplating surgery. Owings was slated to appear as a position player for Triple-A Tucson this weekend while waiting for his injury to heal enough to let him begin pitching again.
San Diego | LA Dodgers | |
Edinson Volquez | Player | Aaron Harang |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
5.0 | IP | 7.0 |
6 | Strikeouts | 4 |
7 | Hits | 4 |
5.40 | ERA | 3.86 |
San Diego | LA Dodgers | |
Carlos Quentin | Player | Matt Kemp |
2 | Hits | 3 |
3 | RBI | 0 |
1 | HR | 0 |
5 | TB | 3 |
.500 | Avg | .600 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
San Diego | 8 | 2 | 15 | .222 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
LA Dodgers | 10 | 1 | 14 | .263 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 |