Peavy throws 6 strong innings, Padres top Dodgers

[June 13, 2008]  SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Jake Peavy made a triumphant return with six strong innings and the San Diego Padres scored five first-inning runs in a 9-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

Peavy (5-3) combined with three relievers on a five-hitter in his first start in nearly a month since being sidelined by a strained right elbow. The reigning Cy Young winner looked as if he hadn't missed a turn.

Peavy gave up a leadoff single to Juan Pierre in the first, then retired 12 straight batters. The right-hander allowed three hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter.

The Padres gave Peavy plenty of support, hitting consecutive home runs in the first -- a three-run shot by Brian Giles and a solo homer by Adrian Gonzalez -- off Hiroki Kuroda (3-6).

San Diego won for the sixth time in seven games. Los Angeles has lost eight of 12.

Padres manager Bud Black said before the game that Peavy would be limited to around 90 pitches. But Black removed Peavy after he threw 72 pitches, 52 for strikes.

Peavy was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list before the game after missing five starts. His last outing was May 14 at the Chicago Cubs, an 8-5 loss. Peavy was placed on the DL on May 20.

Justin Hampson, Brian Corey and Mike Adams each pitched one inning to complete the shutout.

Rookie Edgar Gonzalez had his first three-hit game and scored two runs. His younger brother, Adrian, also drive in two runs to take over the NL lead with 60.

Kuroda (3-6) had problems from the beginning, with the first six San Diego batters reaching base. Jody Gerut and Edgar Gonzalez opened with singles before Giles hit his three-run homer into the right-field stands. Four pitches later, Adrian Gonzalez connected on a 3-1 pitch the opposite way into the left-field seats.

After hitting Kevin Kouzmanoff with a pitch, Kuroda walked a Paul McAnulty before he got the first out on Khalil Greene's ground out. Rookie Luke Carlin grounded to first base to drive in the fifth run.

Kuroda loaded the bases on two walks and a single by Greene in the third inning. Kuroda was lifted after he walked Carlin to force in a run for a 6-0 Padres lead.

Kuroda allowed six runs and five hits in 2 1-3 innings. He walked four with two strikeouts.

Peavy worked out of the only two tough spots he faced.

After Pierre's single in the first, he moved to second on a ground out and stole third with one out. But Peavy struck out Andre Ethier and got Russell Martin in a fly ball.

James Loney, who had two hits, led off the fifth with a double. But Peavy retired the next three hitters, including Luis Maza on strikes for the final out.

Notes: The Padres have four shutouts, while the Dodgers have been shut out five times. ... Carlin's RBIs were his first in the majors.

[Associated Press; By BRIAN MAHONEY]

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