Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Vicente Padilla, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, tossed the fourth shutout of his career, as the Los Angeles Dodgers blasted the San Diego Padres, 9-0, in the third test of a four game series.
Padilla (5-3) gave up just two hits, walked two and struck out nine to pick up his first shutout since April 27, 2008 when he was a member of the Rangers. The right-hander also produced at the plate Wednesday night, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
Over his last seven trips to the hill, the 32-year-old has gone 4-1 and has allowed two runs or less each time during that stretch. Padilla also improved to 3-1 lifetime against the Padres in 18 appearances, nine of which have come in a starting role.
"I started feeling comfortable in the sixth inning," Padilla said. "I was able to minimize my pitch count."
Andre Ethier went 3-for-5 and hit a two-run homer for the Dodgers, who have won two in a row since a six-game skid. Ryan Theriot and Scott Podsednik each had two RBI.
Wade LeBlanc (5-10) allowed four runs on eight hits in a 6 1/3-inning start for the Padres, who have dropped four of six. He also struck out six and walked one.
The Dodgers gave Padilla all the support he would need in the second inning, Casey Blake doubled and scored on Jamey Carroll's one-out single to center. Brad Ausmus was hit by a pitch before Padilla put down a sacrifice bunt. Podsednik followed with a two-run single to make it 3-0.
Ronnie Belliard's RBI double in the third gave Los Angeles a four-run margin.
Padilla retired 14 straight batters before giving up his first hit of the game in the seventh. With one out, Ryan Ludwick hit a line drive that deflected off the glove of first baseman James Loney and into left field. Chase Headley followed with a single to center. Yorvit Torrealba, though, grounded into an inning-ending double play.
LA added five runs in the eighth for good measure. Carroll hit a one-out single, stole second, and scored on Padilla's base hit. Podsednik followed with a walk. Theriot cleared the bases with a double to right-center field. Ethier capped the scoring with a two-run homer to right.
Padilla ended his spectacular performance by setting the Padres down in order in the ninth.
"He's got the rare ability to throw that curveball with that arm speed. It was all about Padilla tonight," Padres manager Bud Black said.
The Dodgers have won seven of the 11 bouts with San Diego this year...Padilla tossed his first two-hit shutout since May 10, 2002 when he was a member of the Phillies. Padilla has thrown four complete games in his career...Torrealba saw his 15-game hitting streak come to an end...The Dodgers recalled catcher A.J. Ellis from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned outfielder Xavier Paul to Albuquerque. In another move, the club placed catcher Russell Martin on the 15-day disabled list and activated outfielder Reed Johnson from the 15-day DL...Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal (back) missed the game...LeBlanc fell to 1-4 lifetime against the Dodgers.