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  Sunday, Oct. 1 4:05pm ET
Padres ends Dodgers' season with a defeat
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

SAN DIEGO -- There was a sense of resignation in the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse after another disappointing season closed.

Adam Eaton pitched six strong innings and Ryan Klesko hit a solo homer, giving the San Diego Padres a 4-0 victory on Sunday over the Dodgers.

Despite a strong finish with victories in 11 of the final 15 games, Los Angeles manager Davey Johnson put the season in perspective.

"It's a season of what could have been," said Johnson, sounding like a manager who expects to be fired. "But there's a good future here. I think things will be good."

Johnson's future might be decided as soon as this week by Dodgers chairman and CEO Bob Daly.

"I enjoyed being a Dodger," Johnson said quietly as he shook the hands of the Los Angeles sportswriters who regularly cover the team.

Los Angeles (86-76) finished in a second-place tie with Colorado behind National League West champion San Francisco.

Gary Sheffield, who has been vocal in his support of Johnson, said the players will deal with Johnson's expected firing.

"I don't care who was managing the team," Sheffield said, "I don't think they would have done any better."

San Diego broke a seven-game losing streak as Eaton (7-4) gave up just three singles and worked out of his only jam in the first inning.

"We really wanted to win this last weekend," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "If we had lost today, it would have made this winter that much more bitter."

Klesko hit a solo homer, his 26th of the season and first since Sept. 9, to back Eaton. The home run off Darren Dreifort (12-9) gave him 92 RBI, one short of his career high set in 1997 with Atlanta.

Trevor Hoffman got the final four outs for his 43rd save in 50 opportunities.

"We didn't end up too well, but I think we have enough here to build on," said San Diego's Phil Nevin.

The only trouble Eaton encountered came in the first when he allowed a one-out single to Mark Grudzielanek, who went to second on a wild pitch. After a walk to Gary Sheffield, both runners moved up on a ground out, but Eaton retired Eric Karros on a flyout.

Dreifort gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Mike Darr singled with one out in the second and was balked to second by Dreifort during John Mabry's at bat. After Mabry stuck out, Ben Davis singled home Darr.

Dreifort and second base umpire Fieden Culbreth, who made the balk call, got into an argument. Johnson came out to separate Dreifort and was thrown out of the game by Culbreath.

As he was leaving, Johnson doffed his cap in a prolonged gesture to the jeering fans along the third-base line.

Darr's run-scoring groundout in the third inning scored Klesko, who led off with a double. Klesko then homered in the sixth for a 3-0 lead.

Kory DeHaan doubled in the eighth and scored after two wild pitches.

Game notes
Sheffield became the first Dodger to hit .300 with 30 home runs, 100 runs, 100 RBI and 100 walks in two consecutive seasons. ... Dreifort is 0-6 against San Diego in 12 career appearances. The Padres are the only NL team Dreifort hasn't defeated. ... Klesko's homer and double gave him 61 extra base hits, besting his career high of 59 set with Atlanta in 1997. ... Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre returned to the lineup after missing three consecutive games with a bruised foot. ... The Padres held an on-field auction where fans bid on the players' game jerseys.
 


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