Dodgers 5, Padres 4: Dee Gordon singled in Juan Rivera with the winning run in the ninth inning as Los Angeles finished a three-game sweep of visiting San Diego and improved to 9-1, its best start since 1981.

Rivera opened the ninth with a walk, moved to second on James Loney’s bloop single and to third on Juan Uribe’s sacrifice bunt. Gordon slapped a line drive to left field off Brad Brach (0-1) to end it.

Closer Javy Guerra (1-0) pitched the ninth to get the victory.

The Dodgers took a 4-1 lead with two runs apiece in the first and third innings, highlighted by Matt Kemp’s sixth homer – all against San Diego. Kemp was 3-for-4 and is batting .487.

But the Padres chased 2011 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw with three runs in the sixth inning. Orlando Hudson singled in one and pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida knocked in his first two runs of the season with a single off reliever Josh Lindblom to tie the game 4-4.

San Diego got the first two runners on in the top of the ninth, but Jesus Guzman bunted into a triple play. Padres manager Bud Black was ejected for arguing with the umpires after the controversial play.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Hall of Fame Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully returned to the booth after missing five straight games due to illness. … San Diego has lost nine straight at Dodgers Stadium and 16 of 19 overall to Los Angeles. … Chris Denorfia had a pair of doubles and an RBI for San Diego.