LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jake Cronenworth lined a single off closer Craig Kimbrel's back that sparked a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 Sunday to avoid a four-game sweep.
San Diego had lost 14 of 15 to the Dodgers since sweeping them last June. The Padres also snapped a nine-game losing streak at Dodger Stadium.
Mookie Betts returned from the injured list with two doubles and scored both Dodger runs. Clayton Kershaw threw four-hit ball over seven innings.
The Padres had only one runner get beyond second base in the first eight innings before breaking through for all their runs in the ninth.
Down 1-0, Cronenworth began the comeback with his infield hit that struck Kimbrel (1-4). Luke Voit then followed with a deep flyball that bounced off the top of the Dodgers’ bullpen gate in left center — Cronenworth scored the tying run while Voit, who lingered out of the batter's box, wound up with a double.
Eric Hosmer, who had two hits, singled home the go-ahead run and finished Kimbrel. With two outs, Ha-Seong Kim homered off Yency Almonte for a 4-1 lead.
Taylor Rogers worked the ninth for his 23rd save, giving up Freddie Freeman's sacrifice fly.
Nick Martinez (3-3) allowed one hit in 2 1/3 innings to get the win.
Kershaw had gone 1-2 and allowed 10 runs in 19 innings in four starts since returning from the IL, but the Dodgers ace had one of his best starts of the season. The lefty struck out eight and walked only one as he went seven innings for the first time since May 7 against the Chicago Cubs.
Betts was activated before the game after being sidelined two weeks due to a cracked right rib. He was back in his familiar leadoff spot and playing right field and he reached base four times.
Betts led off the Dodgers first with a double into the left-field corner and scored when Trea Turner lined a fastball from MacKenzie Gore down the left-field line for a double.
In the ninth, Betts doubled to right-center with one out, went to third on Turner's single and scored on Freeman's sacrifice fly.
Betts tried to score from second on a base hit to left by Freeman in the fourth inning, but Jurickson Profar quickly made a play on the ball and threw home, where catcher Jorge Alfaro applied the tag. Betts, who is still feeling some effects from the injuries, did not try to slide.
San Diego had a chance to tie in the third. José Azocar led off with a ground-rule double to right-center, advanced to third on Profar's grounder but was out at the plate when shortstop Turner threw home on Manny Machado's grounder.
Gore allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings on five hits and struck out four.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: IF Hanser Alberto is likely to miss three games after he received an injection for knee pain. ... OF Chris Taylor was available off the bench after leaving Saturday's game in the sixth inning due to a left foot contusion.
ROSTER MOVE
The Padres called up RHP Tayler Scott from Triple-A El Paso to help shore up the bullpen. LHP Ray Kerr was optioned and RHP Kyle Tucker designated for assignment.
UP NEXT
Padres: Return home for a two-game series against Seattle starting Monday. LHP Sean Manaea (3-3, 3.92 ERA) went 1-0 in five June starts.
Dodgers: LHP Julio Urias (5-2, 2.94 ERA) gets the start on Monday as Los Angeles opens a three-game set against Colorado.
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