First-place Dodgers take on San Diego in a four-game series starting tomorrow

LOS ANGELES - The first-place Dodgers' seventh homestand of the season, a four-game series against the San Diego Padres, begins tomorrow, Thursday, July 10 at 7:10 p.m. (RHP Odrisamer Despaigne vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw), Friday, July 11 at 7:10 p.m. (RHP Jesse Hahn vs. RHP Dan Haren), Saturday, July 12 at 7:10 p.m. (RHP Ian Kennedy vs. TBD) and Sunday, July 13 at 1:10 p.m. (RHP Tyson Ross vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu) All auto gates open at 4:30 p.m. and all stadium gates open at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow through Saturday. On Sunday, all auto gates open at 10:30 a.m. and all stadium gates open at 11:00 a.m.

This is the final homestand prior to the All-Star break. The Dodgers will have four representatives on the NL All-Star team: second baseman Dee Gordon, right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke, left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw and outfielder Yasiel Puig. Puig was a fan-elected starter, Gordon and Kershaw were selected to the team as a result of player balloting, while Greinke was chosen by NL manager Mike Matheny. Los Angeles' four All-Stars are its most since 2010, when the club also had four players selected to the Midsummer Classic (Ethier, Broxton, Furcal and Kuo). The four All-Stars tie for the most among NL clubs along with the Brewers, Cardinals and Reds. Puig will compete in the 2014 Gillette Home Run Derby on Monday, July 14. The announcement was made last night on ESPN's "SportsCenter" by National League Derby captain Troy Tulowitzki. Puig, who has 12 home runs on the season, will compete in his first career Derby after hitting 19 home runs in his first big league season in 2013. His 31 homers in his first two seasons are currently the fourth-most by a Cuban-born player in MLB history behind Yoenis Cespedes (49), Jose Canseco (38) and Alexei Ramirez (36). Puig will become the fifth player (seventh appearance) in Dodger history to take part in the Derby, joining Mike Piazza (1993-94), Raul Mondesi (1995), Hee-Seop Choi (2005) and Matt Kemp (2011-12).

All-Star merchandise is available for purchase now in the Top of the Park merchandise store at Dodger Stadium. The Gillette Home Run Derby #HRDerby will be broadcast on ESPN on July 14 and the All-Star game #ASG will broadcast on FOX on July 15.

The Dodgers take on the Padres at 7:10 p.m. tomorrow. All auto gates open at 4:30 p.m. and all stadium gates open at 5:00 p.m. The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Hello Kitty travel mug.

Actress Kate Walsh, best known as Dr. Addison Montgomery on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice," will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Walsh also held a role on the acclaimed FX series "Fargo" and can soon be seen balancing a wild personal life while giving out some unorthodox punishments when she takes to the judge's chambers in her new NBC comedy series "Bad Judge" beginning October. 

Singer, songwriter, producer and pianist Sheléa Frazier will perform the national anthem. Frazier recently performed at the White House and the Library of the Congress. She composed the theme song for the Sony motion picture "Jumping the Broom." Her new album, "Love Fell On Me" features Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight and Narada Michael Walden. Her current single, "I'll Never Let You Go," has been on the R&B Billboard charts for several weeks.

Dodger Alumni League member Tim Leary will sign autographs in the right-field pavilion plaza and Alumni Leaguer "Sweet" Lou Johnson will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A DJ will provide musical entertainment in the right field pavilion plaza. There will also be a Hello Kitty meet-and-greet for fans from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the left-field pavilion plaza. Dodgers Radio AM 570 FOX Sports LA "Petros and Money" will be broadcasting live from the left-field pavilion plaza from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Kevin Price. Watching the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 prompted Price to join the Marine Corps after high school. He is assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion based at Camp Pendleton which provides engineering support to the Marine Expeditionary Force including Explosive Ordnance disposal, mobility and survivability enhancements. Price serves as an Engineer Equipment and small craft maintenance such as cranes, Zodiac reconnaissance crafts and bridge boats. His deployments include Okinawa, Japan and Fallujah, Iraq. His accolades include the National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. 

As part of Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball, 250 youngsters from Rockstars Baseball, a South LA inner-city baseball league, will be in attendance. Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball provides Los Angeles area inner-city youth with a Dodger game experience courtesy of the Dodgers. Transportation to and from Dodger Stadium in a customized Dodger bus, Reserve level tickets, a voucher for a Dodger Dog and beverage and a Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball T-shirt are included.

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 10

The Dodgers take on the Padres at 7:10 p.m. Friday. All auto gates open at 4:30 p.m. and all stadium gates open at 5:00 p.m. Fans are invited onto the field for Friday Night Fireworks presented by Denny's immediately following the game. In an effort to continue to be good neighbors to the residents surrounding Dodger Stadium, fireworks shows will take place before 11:00 p.m. and are subject to cancellation due to length of game. Tomorrow's show is super hero themed.

Two members of the US Soccer team that recently returned from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will throw the ceremonial first pitch. "American Idol" season six runner-up Blake Lewis will perform the national anthem. His new album "Portrait Of A Chameleon" is out now. Taft High School Graduate, former USC Trojan, and most recently Superbowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks, Malcolm Smith will throw an honorary first pitch. Smith is a LA native and longtime Dodger fan.

Dodger Alumni League member Dennis Powell will sign autographs in the right-field pavilion plaza and Alumni Leaguer Al "The Bull" Ferrara will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Both will sign in the Stadium Club from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A DJ will provide musical entertainment in the right-field pavilion plaza.

The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Army Private First Class (PFC) Fred Gomez of Bakersfield. Gomez was drafted in 1943 and was initially trained at a machine gunner and went on to become a medic who provided life-saving medical care to wounded soldiers. Gomez served with the 164th Regiment deploying to New Caledonia, Fiji and the Philippines. Following his Army service, Gomez fulfilled a life-long dream by working as a security guard at Dodger Stadium from 1963-1965. His accolades include two Purple Heart Medals, the Philippine Liberation Medal and a Bronze Star.

As part of Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball, 250 youngsters from D'Veal Family and Youth Services, a community-based agency that provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare services empowering families and youth residing in at-risk environments, and Bell Gardens Elementary will be in attendance. Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball provides Los Angeles area inner-city youth with a Dodger game experience courtesy of the Dodgers. Transportation to and from Dodger Stadium in a customized Dodger bus, Reserve level tickets, a voucher for a Dodger Dog and beverage and a Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball T-shirt are included.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 8:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Yasiel Puig autographed baseball, Dee Gordon autographed photo and Brandon League autographed game-used #42 LA Dodgers Jersey from Jackie Robinson Day. The LADF will feature two autographed game-used #42 LA Dodger player or coach jerseys from Jackie Robinson Day at each silent auction for the remainder of the season. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

Friday, July 11

The Dodgers take on the Padres at 7:10 p.m. Saturday. All auto gates open at 4:30 p.m. and all stadium gates open at 5:00 p.m. The first 50,000 fans in attendance will receive a Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella Bobblehead presented By UnitedHealthcare.

One of the most memorable moments in baseball history occurred in 1959 on Roy Campanella Night at the Los Angeles Coliseum when the Hall of Fame catcher was escorted onto the field by his longtime Dodger teammate Pee Wee Reese. The Coliseum lights were dimmed and more than 93,000 patrons struck matches in silent prayer for the three-time National League MVP, who was paralyzed in an automobile accident. Mark Reese, son of Pee Wee Reese, and Joni Campanella, daughter of Roy Campanella, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

John Lloyd Young will perform the national anthem. Young can currently be seen starring in Clint Eastwood's film "Jersey Boys," originated the role of Frankie Valli in the Broadway production of Jersey Boys and went on to win the Lead Actor Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and theatre World Awards, becoming the only American actor in history to win all four leading actor awards for a Broadway debut. A LA resident, Young played to sold-out crowds of more than 17,000 as "Marius" in "Les Miserable" at the Hollywood Bowl and was the first-ever guest star invited to appear on Fox-TV's Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning hit, "Glee."

Gennady Golovkin, undefeated WBA and IBO middleweight champion who will be defending his titles on July 26 at Madison Square Garden will throw an honoray first pitch. Golovkin's fight will be broadcast on HBO.

Dodger Alumni League member Lee Lacy will sign autographs in the right-field pavilion plaza and Alumni Leaguer Derrel Thomas will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Both will sign in the Stadium Club from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A DJ will provide musical entertainment in the right-field pavilion plaza and a face painter will also be on hand for children in the left-field pavilion plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Maria Gomez. She will also be the recipient of an authenticated flag and display presented by Bank of America. Gomez will be honored with a piece of Dodger history, a flag that has flown over Dodger Stadium.

Kemp's Kids, a Los Angeles Dodgers player program, was established and is fully sponsored by Matt Kemp to provide underprivileged and inner-city youth with opportunities to visit and experience Dodger Stadium. Kemp's Kids is also dedicated to elevating and increasing the relevance of Major League Baseball and participation of youth baseball among inner-city youth in the greater Los Angeles area. Tomorrow, 25 Little Leaguers ages 11-14 from the Hollywood Indie Leagues' All-Star team will attend Dodger batting practice and meet Kemp. Each youngster will also receive a Kemp's Kids T-shirt, a gift bag, which includes items from Kemp's endorsers, along with a Loge level game ticket and $25 worth in Dodger Dollars to purchase food and drinks during the game.

As part of Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball, 250 youngsters will be in attendance representing Sunshine Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer, Young Peoples Progressive Union Church, a youth group from Missionary Baptist Church in South LA, and Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, a non-profit organization that provides quality arts instruction to under-served students in South Los Angeles. Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball provides Los Angeles area inner-city youth with a Dodger game experience courtesy of the Dodgers. Transportation to and from Dodger Stadium in a customized Dodger bus, Reserve level tickets, a voucher for a Dodger Dog and beverage and a Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball T-shirt are included.

Saturday, July 12

On Sunday, the Dodgers take on the Padres at 1:10 p.m. to conclude the four-game series. The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Portable Speaker presented by State Farm. All auto gates open at 10:30 a.m. and all stadium gates open at 11:00 a.m.

Actor, director and producer Rob Reiner will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Reiner directed Clarius Entertainment's upcoming release "And So It Goes" starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton in theaters July 25. Comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias will throw an honorary first pitch and the national anthem will be performed by actor U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant JW Cortes. His accolades include the Combat Action Ribbon, Marine of the Year and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. He is now an actor/singer who appeared on the NBC Show "Stars Earn Stripes"

Dodger Alumni League member Al Downing will sign autographs in the right-field pavilion plaza and Alumni Leaguer Billy Ashley will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion plaza from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Both will sign in the Stadium Club from approximately 1:30 p.m.  to 2:00 p.m. A DJ will provide musical entertainment in the right-field pavilion plaza and face painters will also be in the right-field pavilion plaza from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Viva Los Dodgers, presented by State Farm, Chevrolet and Time Warner Cable, now taking place at the historic 76 station, begins at 11:00 a.m. The pre-game family-friendly festival will feature autographs by Dodger Alumni Leaguer Dennis Powell and musical entertainment will be provided by La Misa Negra, Diana Fuentes and a special appearance by Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias who will also sign autographs. Jeff Garcia of Power 106 will serve as emcee.

Adrian Gonzalez, through the Adrian Gonzalez's Viva Los Dodgers community program, provides all-inclusive tickets and parking for families in greater Los Angeles by partnering with various non-profit organizations. This Sunday, Gonzalez will host families from the Bresee Foundation which provides comprehensive after-school programs and family services that equip young people to pursue their education, achieve their full potential, and serve others through structured after-school youth program including homework help, one-on-one tutoring, technology access, and college scholarships. Bresee Foundation's facility houses three homework and tutoring classrooms, art, dance and music studios, a 28-station technology lab, a multimedia studio, and a youth recreation room; sports and recreation are also facilitated at the adjacent park and neighboring gym. Bresee Foundation has awarded more than 100 students with nearly $500,000 in college scholarships and provided career-readiness and employment to more than 500 youth.

Sunday's "Héroe de la Comunidad" honoree at Viva Los Dodgers is Dunia Perich, Family Services Director, The Bresee Foundation, who emigrated to the US from Honduras in 1993 and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge. She has been working at Bresee Foundation since 2007, assisting families with supportive services, coordinating health and nutrition classes, mental health, and community workshops. As a certified Parenting Instructor, Dunia has been teaching Parenting Classes at Virgil Middle School and Bresee for the past four years. Dunia has also been a mentor to Bresee youth, assisting with homework, following up with grades, and arranging and attending parent-teacher conference meetings.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will have a Mystery Bag fundraiser at Viva Los Dodgers at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Tent. For a $40 donation, fans can get an official Major League baseball signed by one of eight Dodger Alumni featured, including Orel Hersisher, Tommy Lasorda, Fernando Valenzuela and current players including Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Dee Gordon. Only 68 Mystery Bags available. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

All Dodger fans are welcome at Viva Los Dodgers and the event is free with a ticket to Sunday's game.

As part of Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball, 250 youngsters will be in attendance from S.O.B.E.R. International, a non-profit community counseling center which offers a wide variety of therapeutic services and community resources to youth, adults and families. Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball provides Los Angeles area inner-city youth with a Dodger game experience courtesy of the Dodgers. Transportation to and from Dodger Stadium in a customized Dodger bus, Reserve level tickets, a voucher for a Dodger Dog and beverage and a Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball T-shirt are included.

The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant JW Cortes. Cortes Cortes served with the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group which provides security at designated U.S. Diplomatic and Consular facilities and was assigned to American Embassies in Nairobi and Australia. In 2003, Cortes was part of the initial troop movement into Iraq. He served 13 years active duty and reserve before moving on to serve with the NYPD. His accolades include the Combat Action Ribbon, Marine of the Year and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will hold a silent auction on the Club level by the Vin Scully Press Box. The auction ends at 2:45 p.m. with more than 25 items up for bid, including a Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball, Adrian Gonzalez autographed photo and Brian Wilson autographed game-used #42 LA Dodgers Jersey from Jackie Robinson Day. The LADF will feature two autographed game-used #42 LA Dodger player or coach jerseys from Jackie Robinson Day at each silent auction for the remainder of the season. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

Sunday, July 13

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is holding an auction now through July 31 for Cy Young Award Winner, Clayton Kershaw autographed no-hitter game-used baseball and Dodger Stadium Experience. The opening big is $10,000. Fans can bid on a one-of-a-kind experience to include a Kershaw autographed game-used baseball from his no-hitter game, which is his first no-hitter and the 22nd no-hitter in Dodger History, including a certificate of authenticity from LADF signed by Kershaw. The Winner and three friends will get to watch Dodger batting practice on a pre-selected and mutually agreeable date, will get to take a photo with Kershaw with photos printed and autographed to the winner and each guest by Kershaw, four Dugout Club game tickets and a signed 30x20 mounted canvas by team photographer Jon Soo Hoo capturing Kershaw's last out. This is the only Kershaw no-hitter ball to be offered by LADF. The game-used autographed baseball is not the final out ball. Auction can be found by visiting www.dodgers.com/ladf.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation 5K Run and Kids Fun Run presented by your SoCal Honda Dealers will be held on September 21 at Dodger Stadium. Registration for the LADF 5K Run and Kids Fun Run is now open online at www.dodgers.com/5K. Fans can register for the 5K Run for just $45 and just $25 for the Kids Fun Run. The 5K Run course includes views of Dodger Stadium, downtown Los Angeles, a cool-down run around the Dodger Stadium warning track and appearances by Dodger Alumni League members. The Kids Fun Run will take place on the Dodger Stadium warning track. Awards will be given to top participants in male and female categories. Each LADF 5K Run and Kids Fun Run participant will receive a Dodger tech shirt and medal. All proceeds will benefit LADF and its programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy and health and wellness which help children and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

The Dodgers' auto gates are open 2.5 hours before game time and the stadium gates are open two hours before the scheduled first pitch. Fans taking advantage of this early arrival time can enjoy various family-friendly activities as soon as gates open throughout Dodger Stadium including in the newly enhanced right and left-field pavilion plazas which feature the Budweiser and Bud Light bullpen overlook bars and the new Tommy Lasorda Trattoria and the Think Blue BBQ. In the left and right-field pavilion plazas, there are also plenty of photo opportunities with Dodger memorabilia, including five-foot diameter World Series rings, an eight-foot replica of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, a life-size statue of the iconic Farmer John Dodger Dog, interactive replicas of the 76 ball and various bobbleheads. Autographs for fans with Dodger Alumni League members and family friendly activities also take place before each game in the pavilion plazas and reserve level plazas.

Yasiel Puig is the cover subject of the July issue of Dodger Insider magazine, which again boasts more than two dozen stories on every aspect of Dodger baseball. Among the features: a detailed look at Josh Beckett's remarkable return from 2013 surgery, follow-ups on the no-hitters by Beckett and Clayton Kershaw, an inside-the-room view of the Dodgers' 2014 draft, the return of Dee Gordon and Brandon League from challenging 2013 seasons, and several historical pieces, including Dixie Walker's journey from "The People's Cherce" to the people's pariah, only to return years later as team batting coach.

Dodger Insider serves as a companion to the Dodger Insider blog, located at www.dodgers.com/insider and published multiple times daily. Dodger Insider magazine and the 2014 Los Angeles Dodgers Yearbook, featuring a 21-page commemorative section dedicated to Vin Scully in his own words, are on sale throughout Dodger Stadium, including the Top of the Park store and online at www.dodgers.com/magazine. Subscriptions to the magazine can be ordered at any time. A digital version of Dodger Insider magazine, featuring embedded video links, is also available.

Tickets are available for all games against the Padres and can be purchased by visiting www.dodgers.com/tickets or by calling (323) DODGERS.

The Dodgers offer one of the best values in Los Angeles and all of sports with season tickets and mini plans starting at $14 per seat per game. More information on season tickets can be found by visiting www.dodgers.com/seasontickets or by calling (323) DODGERS.

Fans are urged to arrive early and are encouraged to utilize the many transportation alternatives that serve Union Station and will connect them to the Dodger Stadium Express, which will operate starting 90 minutes prior to first pitch. Fans can find specific route and schedule information by visiting www.metro.net or calling 323.GO.METRO (323.466.3876). Dodger Stadium transportation and parking information can be found by visiting www.dodgers.com/parking.

Saturday's game will be featured on MLB Network. All Dodger games are televised on SportsNet LA, the exclusive new 24/7 TV network of the Los Angeles Dodgers and includes live pre-game programming "Leadoff LA" and "Access SportsNet: Dodgers." Spanish-language telecasts take place for each home game. Time Warner Cable customers can watch live Spanish-language Dodger game telecasts in high definition on channel 382 in Los Angeles, 324 in the Desert Cities and 664 in Barstow. For more information about SportsNet LA's Spanish-language games and standard definition channel numbers, visit the "ESPAÑOL" tab on www.sportsnetla.com. The network will also offer Korean-language Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) for all live Dodger games on its air this season, a first for any MLB team. The Dodgers have partnered with Radio Korea, the team's Korean radio broadcast partner, to provide this service. For more information about SportsNet LA or to demand the network, visit www.ineedmydodgers.com or www.quieromisdodgers.com or call 1-844-I-NEED-MY (1-844-463-3369).