Padres 2, Dodgers 0
SAN DIEGO - Jedd Gyorko homered and San Diego starter Robbie Erlin delivered a strong performance as the Padres recorded a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday before 34,986 at Petco Park.
The Padres (72-81), who have won five of their last six, ended a five-game losing streak to the Dodgers (88-66), who were coming off Thursday's victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, which clinched the National League West title.
Erlin (3-3) shut down a lineup of Dodger reserves, limiting them to four hits and matching a career-best seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 scoreless innings, his longest outing as a major leaguer. The left-hander walked one and threw 105 pitches (72 strikes).
Huston Street gave up a leadoff double to Skip Schumaker and a single to pinch-hitter Adrian Gonzalez with one out in the ninth. But Street struck out pinch-hitters Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp for his 32nd save in 33 opportunities.
Dodgers' starter Edinson Volquez made his first start against his former mates since being released by the Padres on Aug. 27. Volquez (9-12) worked 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks on 111 pitches (65 strikes). Volquez is 1-2 in his career against the Padres.
The Padres took a 1-0 lead in the first when Chris Denorfia, who reached on a two-base error by shortstop Dee Gordon and stole third, scored on a groundout by Gyorko with two outs.
In the fifth, Gyorko increased the lead to 2-0 when he drilled a 2-0 fastball an estimated 417 feet to center off Volquez for his 20th home run, becoming only the fifth second baseman to hit at least 20 in his rookie season. Gyorko also set a new club record for home runs by a second baseman, breaking Bret Boone's mark of 19, set in 2000.
NOTES: With the Dodgers clinching the National League West title on Thursday at Arizona, manager Don Mattingly didn't start any of his eight starting position players against San Diego. ... Dodgers OF Andre Ethier took batting practice before Friday's game but wasn't expected to play for the seventh consecutive game because of a sprained left ankle suffered a week ago. There is no timetable for his return, though Mattingly said he expects to give Ethier some playing time before the regular season ends. ... Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (14-9, 1.94) will face Padres RHP Burch Smith (1-1, 6.57) in Saturday's contest. ... The Dodgers entered the series needing two wins for 400 over the Padres. Los Angeles was 398-361 before Friday's game.
