Matt Kemp wants to do more with run-scoring opportunities

As Matt Kemp ran through the first base bag, he removed his helmet with both hands and slammed it to the ground.

Another chance had been squandered.

Kemp came to the plate in the seventh inning with two outs and men on second and third base. The Dodgers were trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by a run and Kemp grounded out to short to end the inning.

The at-bat was reduced to a footnote because Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run, walk-off double to lift the Dodgers to a 5-4 victory.

But Kemp challenged himself to do better in that type of situation.

“I still have to hit better with runners in scoring position,� Kemp said. “Runners on second and third base, I have to find a way to drive in those runs. I haven’t been doing a good job of that.�

Kemp hit a solo home run in the first inning to drive in his first run in eight days.

The Dodgers had won only two of their last seven games entering Saturday. Kemp was perplexed by how poorly the Dodgers hit with men on base in those games, especially when considering the kinds of players they had in the middle of their lineup.

“We have Adrian,� Kemp said. “We have Hanley [Ramirez]. We have Andre [Ethier]. We have [Luis] Cruz. We have a lot of guys who can do some damage. When you go through that lineup and don’t get that big hit, it’s kind of frustrating. You know one of those guys can drive in those runs, and we haven’t been doing it here lately.�

Familiar faces

The Dodgers will open a three-game series on Monday against the San Diego Padres, the team with which Gonzalez developed into a star.

Gonzalez, who grew up in San Diego, was acquired by the Padres before the 2006 season. He stayed with them until the winter of 2010-2011, when he was traded to the Boston Red Sox.

Gonzalez downplayed the meeting, saying it was “just another series.�

The Padres sit in fourth place in the National League West, but their 33-23 record since June 30 is the best in the division.

Abreu returns

Veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu, who was sent to triple A last month to clear a roster spot for Shane Victorino, rejoined the team.

Abreu, 38, had the option of becoming a free agent but said he didn’t hesitate accepting an assignment to Albuquerque.

“I like it here,� Abreu said. “They treated me good. I do understand the situation with Victorino. It was no problem.�

The Dodgers had to get creative to add Abreu to the 40-man roster. They called up injured pitcher Chris Withrow from double A and immediately placed him on the 60-day disabled list.

Abreu said he never lost his hunger for the game.

“I was hungry,� he said. “I always want to play the game. I love this game.�

So much so that he wants to play for three more years.

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