The Dodgers sent a clear message Tuesday night, rolling past the Padres 7-0 in a game that looked every bit like a postseason dress rehearsal.
Los Angeles did damage at the plate with nine hits and four walks, putting 13 runners on base and going 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The lineup kept pressure on all night, and several bats chipped in as the offense kept building on the Padres.
Josue De Paula was the standout, finishing 2-for-3 with a triple and a walk. He’s still piling up strong on-base numbers, now hitting .323 with a 1.081 OPS.
Freddie Freeman was right in the middle of it too, going 2-for-4 and driving in three runs. Will Smith added a solo homer, Tommy Edman followed with a solo shot of his own, and Mookie Betts chipped in an RBI double.
Kyle Tucker also got a hit. Andy Pages went 0-for-2 in his first game back since fracturing his hand, but he reached base twice with walks.
The final line was especially impressive because it came against a strong Padres pitching staff, and the Dodgers still managed to push across seven runs.
The pitching side was just as sharp. Facing a Padres offense that had been hot, the Dodgers ran a bullpen game and never let San Diego breathe. Only Kyle Hurt worked more than an inning, but the staff as a whole kept the Padres off the board from start to finish.
Los Angeles allowed only five hits and two walks while striking out 10.
The two teams are right back at it Wednesday in the second game of the series, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to face Robbie Ray.
The Dodgers are still within striking distance of a bye and even the league’s best record.
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