When veteran infielder Mark Loretta signed a one-year, $1.25 million free-agent contract with the Dodgers over the winter, it was widely assumed he would play a utility role, occasionally filling in at first, second or third. But 24 games into the season, Loretta has appeared defensively in only six of them.
Instead, he has become the last thing anyone thought he would be: a premier pinch hitter. Loretta has seven hits in 10 pinch-hit appearances this season, with two RBI. He is batting .474 (9-for-19) overall, with a .524 on-base percentage.
"The results are good, but you just try to go up there and have a good at-bat and ultimately make contact," Loretta said. "My plan (is to) make contact, and even if you don't hit it great, you have a chance to do something.
"I started out my career in this role and have come full circle. When I first came up with Milwaukee I was 'the utility guy' until I was able to break into the starting lineup. It's something I've done in the past. I'm content with it because of the fact that we're winning. We have a chance to go far."
DODGERS 1, PADRES 0: The Dodgers ran their record to 8-0 at home this season, with two of those victories coming on walk-off, bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning. This time, it was slumping catcher Russell Martin who worked Padres reliever Duaner Sanchez for a game-ending walk, forcing Orlando Hudson home from third. Clayton Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings, holding the Padres to four hits, but Jake Peavy blanked the Dodgers on two hits over eight.
