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ARI@LAD: Adrian walks off with a two-run double

A native of San Diego and a longtime hero for the Padres, Adrian Gonzalez is back in the National League West after less than a two-year hiatus.

Traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers on Aug. 25, Gonzalez will face his former team for just the second series since leaving San Diego at the end of the 2010 season.

The All-Star first baseman enters the set on a high note as he delivered a game-winning, two-run double in the ninth inning Sunday to defeat the D-backs.

The Dodgers, trying to catch the division-leading Giants, hadn't seen much success with Gonzalez in the lineup since the trade before Sunday. He was hitting just .182 entering Sunday.

"Half the time I'm seeing good at-bats," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "I just think he's trying to get comfortable. I know he's working on some things on the left side of the field. Changes have come from the course of the season. I'm not really worried about Adrian. Just talking to him and listening to him talk about hitting and what he's trying to do, he's OK."

On the mound for the Dodgers will be Joe Blanton. The right-hander earned his first win since being acquired from the Phillies in his last start, beating the Rockies by tossing 7 1/3 innings and allowing three runs.

Countering Gonzalez and Blanton for the Padres will be rookie Andrew Werner. The left-hander performed well in his first two Major League starts, allowing just four earned runs over a combined 12 innings.

Werner took the loss in his last start, however, as the Padres were shut out against the Braves.

"I just tried to keep the team in the game," Werner said. "I just tried to fill it up and see what happens, and it just wasn't good enough."

Padres: Six-man rotation possible
The Padres got pitcher Andrew Cashner back from the disabled list on Saturday and the rookie is expected to make a start in the next week, possibly marking the beginning of a six-man starting rotation for the rest of the season.

"There's a chance you could see it," said manager Bud Black.

Also, the Padres have four off-days in September, the first on Thursday. That will give the team a chance to continue to look at several starting pitchers while also allowing Clayton Richard and Edinson Volquez -- who have made every one of their starts this season -- an extra day of rest.

"Not that they need it," Black said. "... They've been durable and have held their stuff, but it's always nice to give a starting pitching an extra day of rest."

Another starting pitcher, Anthony Bass, will join the team in Los Angeles on Monday. Bass made his last Minor League rehabilitation start with Triple-A Tucson on Monday. There's a chance he could make a start before the end of the season, though at the very least he'll log some innings.

"I think it's important to get Cashner and Bass back," Black said.

Dodgers: Abreu called up
The Dodgers selected the contract of Bobby Abreu from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, one month after designating the veteran for assignment. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow was recalled from Double-A Chattanooga and placed on the 60-day disabled list.

Abreu, 38, batted .251 with 17 RBIs and 26 runs in 70 games with the Dodgers earlier this season after being signed at the beginning of May. He struck out in his only at-bat Sunday.

"I like it here," said Abreu, who added he would like to play for about three more years. "I have a good time and they treat me good. I understood the situation with [Shane] Victorino. They had to open up a spot for him. It was a trade. There was no problem."

Mattingly said Abreu gives the Dodgers an experienced bat off the bench, which should be valuable over the final month of the season.

"Sometimes I'll have to start the inning, so I just find a way to be on base," Abreu said. "The situation of the game will dictate my approach at the plate."

Worth noting
• The Padres stole two bases on Sunday, lifting their season total to 120 on the season.

• Hanley Ramirez has three homers in his last six games and nine in 37 games as a Dodger.

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