Dodgers Receive Mark of 10

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-3, sweeping the series 4-0 and extending their home winning-streak to a franchise-record 10 games. Chad Billingsley got his fifth win of the season, pitching seven innings of two-run ball while striking out eight. Juan Pierre had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, and Orlando Hudson doubled twice and knocked in three runs. Andre Ethier had a double, run and RBI, and Juan Castro had two hits and scored a run. Billingsley helped his own cause by singling in a run and later scoring. Brian Giles and Jody Gerut both went deep for the Padres, and Edgar Gonzalez doubled and drove in a run.

Manny Ramirez sat out with tightness in his hamstring, the same hamstring that caused problems for him in Spring Training. Manny will most likely be back in the lineup for tomorrow's game against Arizona.

James McDonald and Jeff Weaver switched roles, with McDonald going into the bullpen and Weaver starting on Tuesday. McDonald has struggled in the starting role, giving up 14 walks in less than 15 innings and compiling an 8.16 ERA. Weaver was called up from Triple-A, and he pitched four scoreless innings of relief after McDonald left in the second inning in Thursday's game.

Kemp & Kuroda Shine in Dodgers' Opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers began the 2009 season today by defeating the San Diego Padres 4-1, their first win of the season. Hiroki Kuroda pitched 5-and-two-thirds innings, allowing just one run, four hits, and one walk. Matt Kemp had the first Dodger home run of the season, and made a diving catch that ended up preventing a big inning for the Padres. James Loney had three hits and two RBI's, and Rafael Furcal had two hits, a stolen base, and scored a run. Andre Ethier had two hits and an RBI. San Diego ace Jake Peavy was roughed up for his first loss against the Dodgers after 11 straight wins, giving up all four runs on seven hits while striking out eight. Brian Giles knocked in the only Padre run.