San Diego Padres (20-24) at Los Angeles Dodgers (26-16), 4:10 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - James Shields looks to keep his unblemished record intact when the San Diego Padres wrap up a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.
Shields is 5-0 with a 3.74 earned run average in nine starts and the first- year Padre was handed a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs. Shields struck out 11 batters and walked one, while allowing just two runs over seven innings.
The right-hander has struck out at least seven batters in five straight starts and the Padres are 6-3 when he takes the mound. Shields faced the Dodgers in his season debut on April 6 and did not factor in the outcome of a 6-3 loss, charged with two runs in six innings. He has no record and a 4.15 ERA in two career starts against Los Angeles.
Shields is 3-0 with a 4.20 ERA in five road starts this season and looks to salvage this set for the Friars.
San Diego has lost four in a row and nine of the last 12 games, including Saturday's 2-0 verdict. Ian Kennedy pitched well in defeat and gave up both runs over six innings with six K's and no walks.
"To give our team six solid innings, I was happy with that," Kennedy said. "I was happy to not give up many runs, but you've got to tip your cap to (Mike) Bolsinger. He pitched a great game and shut our hitters down."
Bolsinger allowed one hit to Yangervis Solarte and struck out eight batters in eight innings of work. Kenley Jansen recorded his third save in the ninth.
"I was locating my off-speed pitch. I stayed ahead of hitters," Bolsinger said.
Joc Pederson homered for the NL West-leading Dodgers, who have won two in a row following a three-game slide and will host the Atlanta Braves next for three games at Chavez Ravine.
Taking the mound for the Dodgers Sunday will be Carlos Frias, who is 3-1 with a 2.55 earned run average in six games (4 starts). Frias was dealt the loss in Tuesday's 2-0 decision at San Francisco and pitched well, giving up only a run in six innings with three K's and two walks.
Frias threw a scoreless inning of relief in a 3-1 loss at San Diego on April 26 and has no record or ERA in three relief appearances against the Padres.
The Dodgers have won six of eight versus the Padres this season.