Morrow pitches Padres past Dodgers in series finale
SAN DIEGO -- Solo home runs by Alexi Amarista and Derek Norris powered the Padres to a 3-1 win over the Dodgers Sunday to avoid being swept in their three-game series at Petco Park and end a four-game losing streak. Norris also doubled in a run for the Padres.
Brandon Morrow allowed a solo home run to Alex Guerrero in the fifth inning for the only Dodgers run of the game. He pitched seven innings, allowing five hits to earn his first win since April 9, 2014 against Houston as a member of the Blue Jays.
Video: LAD@SD: Norris lifts a solo shot to left off Baker
"It was a big day for us all around to avoid the sweep and get out of a little funk we had been in," Morrow said. "The guys played really well today. They played good defense behind me and got the runs we needed."
Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth inning for the save.
Video: LAD@SD: Kimbrel retires Grandal to notch the save
Scott Baker, called up from Triple-A to make a spot start for the Dodgers, also pitched seven innings and was charged with all three runs.
"I was a little jumpy at first but I settled down," said Baker. "A couple pitches I would have liked to have back."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Cutoffs and relays: The Dodgers defense cut off a run at the plate in the first inning after Yangervis Solarte's one out walk was followed by former Dodger Matt Kemp's double to right-center. Joc Pederson cut off the ball, fired to second baseman Justin Turner, who relayed to the plate. Former Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal gloved the ball to the right of the plate and had time to drop his knee in the path of Solarte's hand-first slide for the out.
Video: LAD@SD: Turner throws home to prevent a run
Working the count: Alexi Amarista worked to a full count against Scott Baker before sending the 10th pitch of the at-bat over the fence in right field for a solo home run, his first of the season, that broke a scoreless tie in the third.
Video: LAD@SD: Amarista opens the scoring with a solo shot
Going, going, Guerrero: Alex Guerrero slugged his fifth home run in his 21st at-bat in the fifth inning and has 13 RBIs in 11 games played. More >
Video: LAD@SD: Guerrero homers for the Dodgers' first run
QUOTABLE
"We all know Alexi is a hard-nosed player and he's on every pitch. That was a big at-bat and it loosened up the dugout a little bit. These games against the Dodgers, a lot of it is momentum. That was a really big at-bat by one of our guys who fights in every at-bat." -- Padres manager Bud Black on Amarista's solo home run
"There's a good chance you'll see him out there." -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly on Alex Guerrero getting playing time in left field
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Norris threw out would-be base-stealer Jimmy Rollins in the first inning to collect his eighth catcher caught stealing in his 19th game of the season, tying his career high that he set a year ago in 114 games with Oakland.
Video: LAD@SD: Padres strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out in 1st
WHAT'S NEXT
Dodgers: Brett Anderson (0-4 career) looks for his first win against the Giants in a rematch of last Tuesday's loss in San Francisco, when he lasted only four innings.
Padres: James Shields gets the start for the Padres Monday night at home against the Astros, following a no-decision in his last outing in Colorado. Shields is 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA in four career starts against Houston.
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