Rookie Cory Luebke wins his first MLB victory
Cory Luebke tossed six shutout innings to earn his first Major League win as the Padres blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 Wednesday night at PETCO Park.
Luebke (1-1) made his second career start and held the Dodgers to just two hits and a walk while striking out seven, as San Diego swept a three-game series from the Dodgers.
"He threw a lot of strikes with his fastball and changeup. Both went away from right-handers," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "He showed a lot of composure for me. He threw a lot of strikes, which is not easy to do this time of year."
As if trying to win his first game in the majors wasn’t stressful enough, Luebke took the mound one night after Padres’ Mat Latos established the MLB record having his 15th straight start of about five or more innings, as well as two or few allowed runs.
"I wasn't too nervous, but the adrenaline got to me a little," said Luebke, who came from Triple-A Portland last week. The only area which Luebke will need to work on is slowing down the pace of the game and taking more time between pitches.
San Diego called on Luke Gregerson to secure the victory and earned just his second save in seven opportunities.
Meanwhile, Dodgers’ starter Chad Billingsley (11-9) surrendered four runs, six hits and five walks in 5 1/3 innings as Los Angeles (69-71) lost five straight to fall two games below .500.
"The first couple of innings, he was pretty efficient," Padres manager Bud Black said of Billingsley. "But we had some good at-bats in the third, fifth and sixth innings. We really made him work."
San Diego took control of the game with a three-run sixth inning, when Luis Durango’s based-loaded single allowed Everth Cabrera and Will Venable to score. Adrian Gonzalez then drove in another run with a sacrifice fly and extend the Padres lead to 4-0.
The Dodgers' offence was held in check with only three hits and manager Joe Torre said it best. "I thought he [Billingsley] pitched a competitive game, but we didn't score runs.”
San Diego has won three consecutive games since a 10-game losing skid and posted their 17th shutout this year.The victory improves the Padres record to 79-59, and more importantly, increases their division lead to two games over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West division.
The Padres will begin a crucial four-game series with San Francisco on Thursday.
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