Dodgers defeat the Padres, 5-1

The Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres, 5-1, at Petco Park on Wednesday night to improve to 4-1 on the season. Here’s a recap of the game.

AT THE PLATE: Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Andre Ethier entered the game a combined four for 43. But the Dodgers’ 3-4-5 hitters discovered their collective rhythm, as they combined for four hits and four runs batted in. Ramirez, who was one for 15 in the first four games, drove in the Dodgers’ first two runs on a first-inning double. Gonzalez knocked in Ramirez later in the inning with a single to increase the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0. Ethier had two hits and drove in a run in the fifth inning.

ON THE MOUND: Dan Haren’s first start as a Dodger was promising, as the veteran right-hander limited the Padres to an unearned run and four hits over six innings. Haren, who pitched three perfect innings to start the game, struck out six.

EXTRA BASES: Fireballer Jose Dominguez was recalled from triple-A Albuquerque to replace the injured Brian Wilson on the active roster. … Josh Beckett, who is sidelined with a sprained thumb, is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Friday. … Infielder Carlos Triunfel was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster and optioned to triple A. Triunfel was named baseball’s 30th-best prospect in 2009 by MLB.com. A career .276 hitter over seven minor league seasons, the 24-year-old Triunfel played in his first eight major league games last season.

UP NEXT: The Dodgers have a day off Thursday. Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the mound for the third time in six games for them when they play host to the San Francisco

Giants on Friday at 1 p.m. in the home opener at Dodger Stadium. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020 (Spanish).