The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, marking the beginning of an intense stretch where these two rivals will face off seven times over just ten days. Despite the Dodgers' dominant season, boasting a nine-game lead in the National League West, it was the Padres who drew first blood in this series.
The Dodgers are now eyeing a comeback to avoid dropping the series as they head into Saturday's matchup.
Padres 7, Dodgers 1: Breaking Down the Game
Walker Buehler Shines, Roki Sasaki Struggles
This game featured a fascinating pitching duel between Roki Sasaki, known for his electrifying potential, and Walker Buehler, a familiar face and former World Series hero for the Dodgers. Buehler, now facing his old team, didn't disappoint.
He delivered a solid performance, going 5.1 innings while surrendering just one run on three hits, striking out five, and issuing one walk. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had anticipated Buehler's competitive fire, noting before the game, “He would love nothing more than to shove it up our you-know-whats.”
On the flip side, Sasaki had a tough outing. Struggling with his command, he walked five batters in just four innings, allowing three runs on three hits, with only two strikeouts.
Ty France took advantage of Sasaki's early struggles, launching a three-run homer in the second inning after Sasaki issued back-to-back walks. Sasaki's day ended after he allowed a leadoff double and a walk in the fifth, but Jack Dreyer came in to clean up the mess, preventing further damage to Sasaki's line.
Dodgers' Offense Stalls
The Dodgers' bats were largely silent, with their lone run coming from a Mookie Betts solo shot in the second inning. That homer gave them an early 1-0 lead, but the offense failed to capitalize on subsequent opportunities. They stranded six runners, went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and grounded into four double plays.
The sixth inning presented a golden opportunity: Andy Pages drew a one-out walk, followed by a Freddie Freeman double. Pages, perhaps with a more aggressive lead, might have scored, but he was held at third. With the bases loaded after Betts was intentionally walked, Max Muncy and Kyle Tucker couldn't deliver, leaving the Dodgers empty-handed.
Again in the eighth, the Dodgers had a chance to rally. Pages and Freeman singled with one out, but Betts grounded into a double play, quashing the threat.
Padres Seal the Deal in the 8th
Despite their offensive woes, the Dodgers were still in the game until the Padres blew it open in the eighth inning. Jonathan Hernández struggled, giving up four runs that put the game out of reach at 7-1.
After getting the first out, Hernández allowed a single and two walks to load the bases, followed by a sequence of hits that included a single, a double, and another single. An outfield assist from Andy Pages, who threw out a runner at third, provided a brief defensive highlight, but it wasn't enough to stem the Padres' tide.
As the Dodgers look to bounce back in the next game, they'll need to find a spark in their offense and tighten up their pitching to turn the series around.
In Other News...
Dodgers Suddenly Have A New Dalton Rushing Concern Against Padres
Dalton Rushing gave the Dodgers a boost in a 15-3 win over the Padres, going deep as part of a night that reinforced why the club has liked his bat. Even with the home run, though, the at-bat drew attention for reasons that had nothing to do with power, as the rookie looked uncomfortable enough for the Dodgers to take a closer look.
Dave Roberts and the team trainer eventually came out to check on him, and Rushing did not seem to want the interruption. He repeatedly waved them off and showed plenty of irritation in the moment, which leaves the Dodgers with at least a little concern heading out of a game that otherwise felt lopsided in their favor. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Make Another Statement Against Padres In Rivalry Win
The weekend finale between the Dodgers and Padres had the familiar edge of a division rivalry, and Los Angeles came away with another useful reminder of why these games still matter. A 4-2 win in San Diego gave the Dodgers the series edge for the season, with Emmet Sheehan working effectively on the mound and Mookie Betts providing the kind of multi-hit, run-producing night that keeps the offense moving in tight games.
Edgardo Henriquez finished it off with his first save of the season, a small but notable step in a bullpen role that can change quickly in a long summer. The Dodgers also had to keep surviving late pressure as the Padres kept finding ways to put runners in position to turn the game, which only added to the sense that this was less a tidy win than another hard-earned statement in a rivalry that rarely stays quiet for long. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Have One Lingering Pitching Question Fans Can't Ignore
The Dodgers are wrapping up a nine-game road trip in Sacramento with a three-game set against the Athletics, and the trip already has the feel of one that has done plenty to steady the club. They have clinched a winning road swing and keep sitting comfortably atop the NL West, so the focus is less on survival and more on fine-tuning the rotation as the schedule keeps moving.
Monday brings another look at the depth that has carried them through stretches of the season, with Lauer on the mound after six hitless innings in his last outing and a strong run since joining the Dodgers after being designated for assignment by Toronto. The middle game pairs Justin Wrobleski with Jeffrey Springs, who has been giving up too many home runs, and then Wednesday offers the part of the series that will draw the most attention as Shohei Ohtani is set to pitch while trying to bounce back from a rough stretch. [Read more 🡒]