San Diego @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2012 ) San Diego 3, LA Dodgers 4

Nothing is coming easy for the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose last five games have been decided by two runs or less. The Dodgers recorded their second consecutive walk-off win on Monday with an 11-inning, 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres. The victory kept Los Angeles 4 1/2 games behind National League West-leading San Francisco and one-half game back of St. Louis in the wild-card race. Los Angeles has won three straight, while San Diego has dropped three in a row and trails the season series 9-4. Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez continues to swing a hot bat with nine home runs in his past 17 games. He leads the majors with 18 game-winning RBIs this season

Much like Ramirez, Padres third baseman Chase Headley refuses to cool down. Headley belted his 16th homer since the All-Star break Monday, and he’s batting .360 (18-for-50) with 16 RBIs in his last 12 games. He has six homers and 17 RBIs against the Dodgers this season. Closer Huston Street suffered a setback with his left calf Thursday and is not expected back soon. Luke Gregerson is serving as the team’s closer while Street is out. The Dodgers are hoping to learn more about the status of pitchers Chad Billingsley (elbow) and Kenley Jansen (irregular heartbeat) this week, and there remains a chance both be ruled out for the season. If Billingsley is cleared to return, he might work out of the bullpen to build up his strength.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS San Diego, KCAL (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Stults (5-2, 2.43 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (12-8, 2.85)

Stults has gone 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 18 strikeouts against only five walks over his last five starts. He gave up one unearned run over six innings last Wednesday against the Braves. He is making his first career start against the Dodgers, who signed him as a free agent in 2002. He was 8-10 with a 4.84 ERA in 325 games (24 starts) as a Dodger.

Like Stults, Kershaw had an impressive August, going 4-2 with a 2.49 ERA and a 49-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in six starts. He has a 2.51 ERA in three starts this season against the Padres, and he is 8-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 16 career starts against San Diego. Kershaw has limited San Diego hitters to a .216 batting average in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres LF Carlos Quentin was scratched from the starting lineup Monday with right knee irritation, but was able to pinch hit in the 11th inning.

2. Dodgers SS Luis Cruz had a career-high four hits Monday and is batting .432 (16-for-37) at Dodger Stadium since Aug. 22.

3. RHP Andrew Cashner will start Friday against the Diamondbacks as part of the Padres’ new six-man rotation.