Padres' sloppy defense gives Dodgers 5-1 win, series
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- It was more of a lob than a throw, and it epitomized the Padres' woeful season.
A.J. Ellis had an RBI single and the Dodgers capitalized on some sloppy Padres defense as Los Angeles beat San Diego 5-1 on Sunday.
It was a 2-1 game in the seventh inning before Nick Vincent fielded Andre Either's easy dribbler up the first base line. The Padres were about to escape a bases-loaded jam -- then the ball exited Vincent's hand.
"I rushed it," Vincent said. "Had plenty of time and he was 20 feet from the bag. I got there and air-mailed it."
The result was a two-out, three-base throwing error that sailed over first baseman Wil Myers' head, allowing three runs to score.
"I usually make that play nine out of 10 times," Vincent said.
The Padres remade their roster in the offseason, hoping for better outcomes. But much like Vincent's errant toss, it hasn't quite worked out.
San Diego has lost three straight and five of six, falling seven games under .500 as it heads for its fifth straight losing season.
Ellis put Los Angeles ahead 2-1 with a sharp single to left in the sixth. Then the game was put away when Vincent's relay went the wrong way.
The Dodgers have won 11 of 13 and are a season-high 20 games above .500.
Brett Anderson (9-8) pitched 5 2-3 innings, surrendering one run on four hits and four walks. He struck out four before leaving with a cramp in his left calf.
Andrew Cashner (5-14) worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked four with five strikeouts in losing for the 12th time in his last 16 decisions.
"I was battling all day with my fastball and there were some decent pitches in between there," Cashner said.
Padres interim manager Pat Murphy was pleased with Cashner's effort, even in another losing cause.
"I thought Cash pitched well enough to win by far," he said. "I thought he pitched really great."
The Padres appeared poised to tie the game in the sixth with runners on the corners and two outs.
Pinch-hitter Melvin Upton, Jr., faced reliever J.P. Howell and hit a hard grounder to third base, where it ricocheted off Corey Seager to Jimmy Rollins. Rollins threw Upton out at first base.
The Dodgers seized the 2-1 advantage when Justin Upton couldn't field Ellis' one-out, sinking line drive in left. Upton left his feet and the ball glanced off his glove for a single that scored Justin Turner, who opened the inning with a double. Casher avoided further damage when Joc Pederson hit into a double play.
San Diego tied the game 1-1 on Jedd Gyorko's third-inning, one-out home run to left. It was Gyorko's third homer of the four-game series and 13th on the year.
The Dodgers struck in the first inning on Ethier's sacrifice fly, with Crawford scoring. Crawford reached on a one-out walk and advanced when Adrian Gonzalez walked and Turner was hit by a pitch.
RIGHT ON, PADRES
It looks like the Padres will go the entire season without starting a left-handed pitcher. Through 136 games, the Padres have started a right-hander in every game. That's the longest single-season streak in franchise history. The previous mark was 133 games in 2006.
SEAGER SHINES
Corey Seager, the Dodgers' top prospect who made his major league debut on Thursday night, had a memorable series. He hit safely in three of four games and also collected his first stolen base. Seager started at third base in two games and shortstop in another. He finished 4 for 15 (.333) with two extra base hits.
TRAINERS ROOM
PADRES: RHP Josh Johnson (right elbow) won't pitch again this season after shutting down his minor league rehabilitation stint Friday after just four pitches. Johnson, who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries, will meet with Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday.
DODGERS: 2B Howie Kendrick (left hamstring) will join the club in Anaheim and could be activated by the end of the week.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Zack Greinke (15-3, 1.59) starts a three-game series in Anaheim against the Angles on Monday. Greinke leads the majors in ERA, quality starts (25) and opponents' batting average (.189).
Padres: RHP Ian Kennedy (8-12, 3.88) will kick off a four-game series against the visiting Rockies on Monday. Ken
