[h1]New-look Dodgers continue to win[/h1]
By RICH HAMMOND
Special to the Register
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LOS ANGELES -- Could the loss of Jeff Kent make the Dodgers better?
From a statistical standpoint, that's a tough sell, but Manager Joe Torre suggested Monday that the Kent-less Dodgers might be a looser, less-stressed group, and perhaps a more successful one.
If nothing else, the Dodgers seem to be taking the loss of their cleanup hitter in stride. Without Kent, they impressively took two weekend games from first-place Arizona, then kept the good times going Monday with a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in front of 44,087 at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers won their third consecutive game but remain 2 1/2 games behind the Diamondbacks in the National League West.
Kent, scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday that might end the season and career of the probable future Hall of Fame second baseman, is best known for two things: a strong bat and a serious - some say surly - demeanor that sometimes has led to conflicts with younger players.
Rap and salsa music blared from the Dodgers' clubhouse before Monday's game, and in the dugout, Torre related a story of his playing days, and how playing with his often-critical older brother, Frank, sometimes caused him stress. The comparison to these Dodgers was obvious.
"Maybe the shadow of the big brother is not around," Torre said of Kent's departure. "Maybe it frees them up to do other things. I don't know, but that's what came to mind for me. ... These guys are free spirits, but they have been a little hesitant from time to time."
Hesitant was the last word to describe the Dodgers' effort Monday, at least on the basepaths. They stole three bases against Padres rookie catcher Nick Hundley, and two of them directly contributed to runs and helped make a winner of starting pitcher Greg Maddux (7-11).
With the game tied 1-1 in the second, Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake led off with a single and stole second with one out. Angel Berroa's bloop double to center scored Blake and Maddux's sharp single to right-center scored Berroa to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.
Blake hit a solo home run with one out in the third for a 4-1 lead as the Dodgers further eased the sting of their just-completed 2-8 trip.
San Diego pitcher Chris Young (4-5), in his first start off the disabled list, allowed four runs in five innings.
JONES BACK
Andruw Jones is back with the Dodgers, whatever that means.
The Dodgers activated Jones from the disabled list Monday as part of their Sept. 1 roster expansion. Jones reclaimed his old locker and shagged some balls during batting practice but otherwise doesn't seem to have a role.
Jones' right knee, which was surgically repaired in May and kept him out for six weeks, apparently is still sore, with what Manager Joe Torre described, rather vaguely, as "irritated. It's like a bruise."
In other moves the Dodgers also activated Delwyn Young and Scott Proctor from the disabled list and promoted James McDonald, Jason Repko and Eric Stults from Las Vegas.
SAITO RETURNING?
It had been presumed that Takashi Saito, out since July 12 because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow, would be lost for the season, but Saito might attempt to throw a simulated game next week and said he is optimistic about a 2008 return.
"I'm very confident that I'm going to be back on the mound this season," Saito said through an interpreter.
The Dodgers have been encouraged by Saito's ability to throw fastballs in two bullpen sessions without pain.
Jason Schmidt's season officially ended Monday. Schmidt, scheduled to throw for Las Vegas in a rehab assignment, got scratched and will not throw again this season.
