Padres Open Season Against Dodgers

SAN DIEGO —  The Padres will open the 1986 baseball season in Los Angeles against the National League Western Division champion Dodgers.

Game No. 1 is scheduled for April 7, a Monday, and the two teams also will play Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Dodger Stadium. The Padres will go home to play Cincinnati on April 11, and then the Dodgers will come in for three games, April 14-16. There could be some meaningful Dodger-Padre games at season’s end, too, considering they play each other five times in late September/early October.

Other schedule highlights:

--For the first time in Padre history, there will be no home doubleheaders.

--Of the 81 dates, 61 are night games.

--Included is a July 4th home game against the Cubs.

--August is the most busy month at home with 15 games.

Padre Notes General Manager Jack McKeon currently is in Puerto Rico, scouting the league there, which includes Padre roster members Carmelo Martinez, Mario Ramirez, Benito Santiago, Luis DeLeon, Rusty Tillman and Candy Sierra. Also playing there is the Padres’ top pick in last year’s June draft, Joey Cora.