Curvy, Complete Celebration in Cali

Vicente Padilla took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, baffling the NL West leading Padres in Wednesday game in Los Angeles. The 32 year old Nicaraguan righty blew away San Diego with a complete game shutout for his fifth victory of the year. The Dodgers routed the Padres 9-0 a night after newly acquired pitcher, Ted Lilly, limited San Diego to two hits over seven innings. Padilla, pitching on an extra day’s rest, fanned nine batters and walked two in a two-hit effort. He tossed 77 strikes, including 10 Eephus slow curve pitches. The Dodgers’ starter also contributed a pair of hits and an RBI during the contest at Dodger Stadium.
San Diego’s southpaw starter, Wade LeBlanc, suffered the loss as the Dodgers tallied their highest run total since the All-Star break. It was the second time this season L.A. has shutout the Padres with LeBlanc on the hill. LeBlanc allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 frames of work. Scott Podsednik’s two-run base hit capped a three run second inning for the home team. The hosts added a fourth run on a Ronnie Belliard double in the third. Shortstop, Jamey Carroll and third baseman, Casey Blake collected two hits and scored twice, while teammate, Andre Ethier pounded out three hits in the win. Ethier smacked his 17th homerun of the season with one man on base in a five-run eighth inning to increase the Dodgers’ lead to 9-0.
Padilla did not give up a hit until the seventh inning. Ryan Ludwick lined an 0-2 pitch to right field with one out to break up the no-no, but Padilla still finished with his fourth career shutout. He is a satisfactory 4-2 in his last nine starts. Los Angeles backstop, Russ Martin, was placed on the 15 day disabled list shortly after the game. The catcher will be sidelined for the first time in his career with a right hip tear. Surgery could be an option, which would end Martin’s season. Forty-one year old, Brad Ausmus filled in behind the plate for Martin and almost caught a no-hitter. Padilla has a phenomenal 1.69 in his last dozen games.

Parting Points: Oddball pop, white rap song of the day-“Summer Vacation” by The Party