Dodgers vs. Padres game recap: Dodgers hold off Padres, win 8-4

The Los Angeles Dodgers got some help from the bottom of their order as they defeated the Padres 8-4 in San Diego to remain three games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the final NL Wild Card spot.

The Dodgers got four combined RBI on the night from third baseman Luis Cruz and catcher A.J. Ellis, the team's number seven and eight hitters. The Dodgers took a commanding 6-1 lead in the sixth inning before allowing the Padres to score three runs in the eighth, cutting their lead to 7-4. Los Angeles added one run in the ninth before Brandon League came in for the bottom of ninth inning and pitched a scoreless inning.

The game kept the Dodgers one game up on Milwaukee for third place in the Wild Card race as both teams look to run down the Cardinals in the final days of the regular season. Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the Dodgers Friday night when they host the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.

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Dodgers vs. Padres game preview: L.A. seeks second straight win

The Dodgers have fallen 3.5 games behind the Cardinals in the NL wild card race, and they'll hope to make up some ground this evening with the Cardinals not in action. They'll be facing the San Diego Padres for the final time in 2012.

Chris Capuano will be making the start for the Dodgers as they look to win their second consecutive game. The left-hander is 11-11 on the season with a 3.74 ERA. It's been a tale of two halves for Capuano though, as his 4.84 ERA since June 23 is a huge dropoff from his 2.60 ERA to start the year.

The Padres will be countering with rookie Casey Kelly. Kelly has begun his career with a 2-2 record, but his 5.55 ERA is a bit of a cause for concern to Padres fans.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT from Petco Park in San Diego. The game will be televised by KCAL in Los Angeles and FoxSports San Diego further south. Dodgers radio coverage can be found on 570 FSLA and KTNQ 1020, while a Padres radio broadcast can be found on XPRS 1090.

Dodgers vs. Padres game recap: Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez power L.A. To 8-2 victory

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2012 MLB Playoff Standings: Dodgers losing ground in NL wild card race

The Los Angeles Dodgers are running out of time if they hope to somehow make the playoffs this season. With just one week left in the regular season, L.A. entered Tuesday 3 1/2 games back of the Cardinals. Following a loss to the Padres on Tuesday night and a St. Louis win, Don Mattingly's club is now 4 1/2 back with eight games left to play.

As for the rest of the National League, the Reds and Giants have already clinched their respective divisions. The Braves clinched a playoff spot with a walk-off win over the Marlins, and they trail the Nationals in the East by just four games.

In the American League, the Angels trail the Rangers by six games in the West. L.A. is also two games back of the Oakland A's for the second wild card spot. The Angels have eight games remaining on their schedule following their 5-4 win over the Mariners on Tuesday night.

Here is a complete look at the standings, courtesy of Sports Illustrated.

Dodgers vs. Padres: Dodgers rally late, but come up short in 2-1 loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers' offense was dormant for eight innings on Tuesday and while they rallied in the ninth inning, it ultimately wasn't enough as they fell 2-1 to the San Diego Padres. With the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals both winning on Tuesday, the Dodgers fell to five games back in the National League Wild Card chase.

The Dodgers entered the ninth inning trailing 2-0, but cut that deficit in half quickly. Luis Cruz led off the inning with a single, then scored when the next batter, A.J. Ellis, doubled. Dee Gordon pitch ran for Ellis and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Mark Ellis then walked to put runners at first and third with one out and the heart of the Dodgers lineup coming up.

While the Dogers appeared to be in good position to at least tie the game, Huston Street struck out Andre Ethier for a cruicial second out before Matt Kemp flew out to right field to end the rally and secure the win for the Padres. Street made it interesting, but will still able to record his 23rd save of the season.

Edinson Volquez started the game for the Padres and allowed just six hits over seven shutout innings. The Padres offense was just good enough to squeak out the win. San Diego won despite being outhit 10-5. The Padres scored a run in both the fourth and fifth innings.

San Diego scored both of its runs against Josh Beckett, who started the game for the Dodgers. Beckett allowed two runs on five hits while striking out seven over 5-2/3 innings. Beckett is 1-2 in six starts with Los Angeles although he has allowed three earned runs or less in five of the six starts.

Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez each finished with two hits for the Los Angeles, but the Dodgers didn't have an extra base hit until A.J. Ellis doubled in the top of the ninth. The Dodgers have now scored three runs or less in six of their last eight games.

The two teams will play the second game of the three-game series Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 3:35 p.m. PT.

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