After 15 seasons and 552 saves from Trevor Hoffman, a new closer jogged in from the Padres' center field bullpen Tuesday night. 

--Monday's opening-day crowd of 45,496 was not only the largest in Petco Park history, it marked the 101st time since Petco Park opened in 2004 that the Padres drew more than 40,000 to a home game. 

The Padres' offense probably will be a bit improved over last year. 

Walter Silva wasn't even a member of the San Diego Padres' organization when spring training started. 

Heath Bell blew 'em away as he rang in the post-Trevor Hoffman era in San Diego. 

Heath Bell rang in the post-Trevor Hoffman era in San Diego, striking out the side in the ninth inning to save the Padres' 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. 

The Padres' offense probably will be a bit improved over last year. 

Opening day for the Padres was not pleasant. 

--RHP Cha Seung Baek, the projected No. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers finally beat Jake Peavy, and Manny Ramirez didn't even get a hit. 

Randy Wolf enjoyed some success in his last stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers before a shoulder injury led to a premature end to his only previous season with them. 

Hiroki Kuroda and the Los Angeles Dodgers knew they had a good thing going when they scored two runs in the first inning against Jake Peavy. 

Joe Torre's trust in Hiroki Kuroda paid off with an opening-day win for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

LAS VEGAS 

Padres outfielder Cliff Floyd was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder on Monday, retroactive to Sunday.