SAN DIEGO (AP) - Mat Latos pitched his best game in a month on Tuesday night, and came away with nothing to show for it.

It's tough pitching for the San Diego Padres.

Latos tossed seven sparkling innings but the Padres were shut out for the 16th time in a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Advertisement

Hiroki Kuroda (7-13) struck out eight in seven innings for Los Angeles, allowing just four hits and two walks.

``It was a well-pitched game by both guys,' Padres manager Bud Black said. ``Kuroda was solid, Mat matched him. They snuck one across. We mounted a couple threats and couldn't get that hit to tie the game or take the lead.'

Kuroda pitched 8 2-3 scoreless innings in his only other start at San Diego this season, a 4-0 victory back on April 9.

Latos (5-11) gave up one run and six hits, struck out six and walked none, dropping to 0-3 with a 3.26 ERA in his last six starts.

``I've been stringing my pitches together better and attacking hitters,' Latos said. ``Everything felt good.'

Matt Kemp had two hits and drove in the only run as the Dodgers beat San Diego for a fifth consecutive time. Kemp, who leads the NL with 84 RBIs, also made a strong defensive play in the ninth, hauling in Aaron Cunningham's fly ball.

Blake Tekotte was the lone bright spot for the San Diego offense, collecting three hits in his first game since being promoted from Double-A San Antonio. Tekotte also had two steals.

``Last time I was up, I felt a little overwhelmed,' Tekotte said. ``I went back down and kind of knew what I needed to work on. I changed a little bit in my approach and I felt a lot more comfortable and know what I need to do.'

Mike MacDougal allowed the tying run to reach third base in the eighth after giving up two singles, but recovered to retire the next two batters and preserve the lead. Javy Guerra pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save in nine chances.

Dee Gordon reached on a bunt single in the fourth, and scored on Kemp's first single.

It was the Dodgers' 13th shutout of the season.

NOTES: Padres RHP Dustin Moseley will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder on Wednesday. ... San Diego's Will Venable pinch-hit in the seventh and remained in the game in left field after not playing since Friday due to back spasms. ... The Dodgers have not announced who will fill the fifth spot in their starting rotation after Rubby De La Rosa was placed on the DL on Monday. De La Rosa will undergo season-ending elbow surgery. ... Dodgers star Andre Ethier got the day off. ... Tim Stauffer starts for the Padres on Wednesday night. Stauffer has faced L.A. twice this season, going 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA. ... Ted Lilly opposes Stauffer for the Dodgers, bringing an 8-3 record and 2.93 ERA versus San Diego. ... The Padres have lost five straight to the Dodgers, and three times this season have lost by a score of 1-0 to L.A.