Padres 2, Dodgers 1
Edinson Volquez tossed seven shutout innings and host San Diego played spoiler by putting another dent in Los Angeles’ faint playoff hopes.
Volquez (11-11) allowed six hits with two walks for San Diego, which improved to 24-7 at home since July 17. The loss dropped the Dodgers 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second wild card in the National League with eight games to play.
The Dodgers threatened in the top of the ninth on A.J. Ellis’ RBI double
and had two runners on with one out before Huston Street struck out
Andre Ethier and retired Matt Kemp on a fly ball for his 23rd save.
Josh Beckett (1-3) walked the leadoff batters in the fourth and fifth innings, and both runners came around to score. Making his first start against the Padres since 2007, Beckett gave up two runs (one earned) over 5 2/3 frames.
Luis Cruz had three hits for the Dodgers, who went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The benches cleared briefly in the bottom of the seventh after Everth Cabrera took out Mark Ellis at second base while attempting to break up a double play. …The Padres improved to 66-1 when leading after eight innings. … Dodgers LF Shane Victorino went 1-for-3 after missing the last three games with a strained left wrist.