Dodgers Avoid No-Hitter And Pull Out 1-0 Win Over Padres
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers got their first hit with two out in the ninth inning Saturday and still beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 when Dioner Navarro singled in Juan Uribe for the unlikely victory.
Uribe was down to his last strike when he drove a pitch from Luke Gregerson (2-2) over the head of left fielder Chris Denorfia for Los Angeles' first hit and only the second hit of the game for either team. The Padres have never had a no-hitter in their 43-year history.
Navarro then looped a 1-2 pitch into short right-center to give the Dodgers three consecutive shutout victories for the first time since July 1991. Los Angeles has won nine of its last 19 games, and seven of those victories have been shutouts -- including the last five.
Aaron Harang started for San Diego and worked six innings, finishing with six strikeouts and three walks. Josh Spence came on and struck out his only batter, Andre Ethier, before Chad Qualls escaped a jam to keep the game scoreless.
Matt Kemp reached on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Jason Bartlett and James Loney was intentionally walked before Qualls retired Uribe on a foul popup and Navarro on a comebacker.
Mike Adams got out of another scrape in the eighth, retiring Tony Gwynn Jr., Rafael Furcal and Ethier after Jamey Carroll drew a leadoff walk and third baseman Chase Headley committed a throwing error on a sacrifice by pinch-hitter Trent Oeltjen.
The Padres got only one hit themselves against rookie right-hander Rubby De La Rosa and three relievers. Blake Hawksworth (2-2) got the win with a perfect ninth inning after Matt Guerrier and Mike MacDougal each threw a scoreless inning.
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