San Diego @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2011 ) San Diego 0, LA Dodgers 1

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Dodgers have discovered a fool-proof way to win: Don’t allow any runs. Los Angeles seeks its third straight shutout victory when it plays host to the San Diego Padres on Saturday. The Dodgers blanked the Padres 1-0 on Friday, following a 6-0 triumph over the Mets on Thursday. Prior to that, the Dodgers had lost five straight. San Diego was 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and loaded the bases with none out in the ninth and failed to score. The Padres have dropped three straight and are one game ahead of the last-place Dodgers in the NL West.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Aaron Harang (7-2, 3.71) vs. Dodgers RH Rubby De La Rosa (3-4, 4.31). Harang returns from the disabled list to make his first start since June 9. He gave up two runs or fewer in five straight starts before being sidelined with a foot injury. He defeated the Dodgers back in April when he gave up one earned run and three hits in six innings. He has a 3-6 record and 5.37 ERA in nine career starts against Los Angeles. Rafael Furcal is 10-for-18 (.556) against Harang. De La Rosa has lost four straight starts since winning his first two in the majors. He pitched well in his last two outings – allowing four runs in 14 innings – while losing to Minnesota (June 29) and the Mets (Monday). De La Rosa has a 5.82 ERA at home and has not faced the Padres.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (39-51): Furcal knocked in the lone run Friday with just his third hit in five games since coming off the disabled list. Furcal is 3-for-20 since returning. Tony Gwynn Jr. went 2-for-4 and is .313 in 32 at-bats against his former team. Gwynn had a key eighth-inning single prior to Furcal coming through. Javy Guerra recorded his third save of the season in what was the Dodgers’ first save opportunity since June 19. Andre Ethier (.311 average) was added to the NL All-Star team to replace injured Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino. The Dodgers reportedly fired former star player Steve Garvey on Friday over his attempts to buy the club. Garvey worked in the marketing and community relations department.

ABOUT THE PADRES (40-50): San Diego has been shut out 14 times and mustered just five hits for the second straight game Friday. Jason Bartlett left six men on base, including three in the ninth when he lined out to center to end the game. Will Venable reached base three times on a single and two walks and stole his 15th base. The Padres recalled catcher Luis Martinez to replace starter Nick Hundley, who underwent elbow surgery on Friday. Martinez was hitting .313 for Triple-A Tucson. Hundley, batting .222, is expected to be sidelined for 3-to-6 weeks.

FINAL PITCH: Harang was slated to make a second rehab start and not return until after the All-Star break, but Monday’s stint at Single-A Lake Elsinore went so well that the Padres changed plans.