Dodgers’ Matt Kemp has one final blast in 7-5 victory

Speaking of history

Eugenio Velez now stands alone.

Mattingly used Velez as an eighth-inning pinch hitter, offering the utility player a chance to hit his way out of an undesirable record. But the well-intentioned move backfired, as Velez hit into another ignoble record.

Velez, who was already on track to finish the season with the most at-bats in a hitless season for a non-pitcher, broke a four-way tie for the longest hitless streak in major-league history.

Velez is hitless in his last 46 at-bats dating to last season. He is 0 for 37 this year.

A scary end

The Dodgers almost had a repeat of Tuesday night, when they scored five runs in the 10th inning, only to give up six in the bottom of the inning to lose.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers took a 7-0 lead into the ninth inning.

But Ramon Troncoso made the game interesting, walking Ryan Roberts to load the bases and serving up a grand slam to Cole Gillespie. Troncoso followed that up by giving up a solo home run to Henry Blanco that closed the gap to two.

Mattingly had to summon Kenley Jansen out of the bullpen to get the final two outs.

Is this it?

Hiroki Kuroda received a hug from Clayton Kershaw. He was tapped on the shoulder by Josh Lindblom, who told him, “See you next year.”

Kuroda’s eyes were red.

Kuroda denied that he was fighting back tears because he had already decided this would be his last day with the Dodgers. He will be a free agent this winter.

“I still have to think about it,” he said of whether he will pitch for the Dodgers, another major league club or return to Japan next year.

But Kuroda was also a free agent at the end of last season and he wasn’t nearly as emotional then.

Near the end of the Dodgers’ team meeting Monday, Kershaw stood up and announced he had something to say.

He said he wanted Kuroda to return next season.

“He knows how we feel,” Kershaw said. “We love him here. If he decides to go back to Japan, we understand. That’s his home. He will be a tough person and a tough player to replace, if he decides to go home to Japan.”

Position switch for Loney?

James Loney has talked about pitching.

Now, Loney is talking about moving to the outfield.

Loney said he would be willing to the switch from first base if the Dodgers sign either Fielder or Albert Pujols.

“I’ll do anything,” he said.

Loney played two games in the right field in 2006 and another in 2007. The last time he played in the outfield, Loney crashed into the wall, bruised his knee and was removed from the game.

General Manager Ned Colletti said management has discussed the idea.