The Padres were in negotiations with the Dodgers last night, attempting to complete a deal that would send starting pitcher Greg Maddux to the National League West contenders.

The Dodgers had a scout at Maddux's most recent start at Petco Park on Friday night.

Maddux suffered his ninth loss of the season in that game despite allowing only one run – a homer by Pat Burrell – on five hits over seven innings. The Phillies won 1-0.

The Dodgers had made overtures about Maddux before the July 31 trading deadline, but talks stalled over the compensation still owed Maddux and the players that were being offered in return.

The Dodgers' interest in Maddux was rekindled recently after starting pitcher Brad Penny returned to the disabled list. Maddux is contracted to make $10 million for the Padres this season, meaning he is still owed around $2,345,000.

A Padres official last night said talks were continuing toward sending Maddux to the Dodgers, although nothing was imminent. There has been no agreement on what players the Padres would receive in return.

Maddux cannot pitch again until tomorrow night at the earliest and the Padres had told him his next start would be pushed back to Friday night in San Francisco.

Maddux, 42, is 6-9 this season with a 3.99 ERA. But he has a 2.62 ERA in 14 starts at Petco Park, although the Padres' lack of an offense has held him to a 3-4 record at home.

After Maddux claimed the 350th win of his career May 10, he went a career-worst 14 straight starts before his next win July 28. That was the first of three straight wins that moved Maddux to within one victory of tying Roger Clemens for eighth on the all-time list at 354.

Maddux has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 16 of his 26 starts this season but is only 5-3 in those games with eight no-decisions. Five times this season, Maddux has departed a game with the lead only to be not involved in the final decision.

Maddux has averaged six innings per start this season.

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Bill Center: (619) 293-1851; bill.center@uniontrib.com