San Diego @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2013 ) San Diego 2, LA Dodgers 9

The San Diego Padres probably wish Yasiel Puig’s punishment lasted a little longer. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly benched Puig on Wednesday, but the 22-year-old rookie phenom responded with four hits in Friday’s 9-2 win over the Padres, helping his team move 10 1/2 games ahead of second-place Arizona in the National League West. “We’ve talked about it and it’s over,” said Mattingly, who questioned Puig’s effort during Wednesday’s game.

Hanley Ramirez enters Saturday’s contest with seven hits over his last four games for the Dodgers, who have won 22 of their 28 contests this month. San Diego's Will Venable has been nearly as hot this month with 40 hits, including eight home runs. The Padres could be short-handed on Saturday, with both Yonder Alonso (hand) and Chase Headley (back) dealing with minor injuries.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FSN (San Diego), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Andrew Cashner (8-8, 3.55 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Chris Capuano (4-7, 4.74)

Cashner turned in one of his best outings of the season against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, when he surrendered two hits while striking out seven over seven scoreless innings. “(That was) really the first day that I had three pitches working throughout the entire game,” said Cashner. The 26-year-old is 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 12 career games (one start) against the Dodgers.

Capuano’s recent struggles continued Sunday, when he yielded three runs over five innings in the Dodgers’ 8-1 loss to Boston. The 35-year-old has allowed 15 earned runs over his last 19 1/3 frames, leading many to believe his spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy. Alonso is 6-for-13 against Capuano, who is 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA in four games (two starts) against the Padres this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. After opening the season 9-23 against National League West opponents, the Dodgers have won 15 of their last 19 games within the division.

2. Padres closer Huston Street has converted 10 straight save opportunities and made 18 consecutive scoreless appearances.

3. Dodgers OF Matt Kemp played seven innings and went 0-for-3 on Friday in his second minor-league rehab game with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

PREDICTION: Padres 5, Dodgers 3