Since the All-Star break, the San Diego Padres have emerged as one of the top teams in baseball, eager to maintain their winning streak. On Tuesday night, they defeated the Dodgers 4-2 at Dodger Stadium, clinching a playoff spot and keeping their hopes alive for the National League West title, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2006.
Game Highlights
The Dodgers opened the scoring with Shohei Ohtani leading off with a double against Michael King, setting a franchise record for extra-base hits in a season. Ohtani scored on a ground ball from Mookie Betts that was misplayed by shortstop Xander Bogaerts, putting L.A. ahead 1-0.
In response, the Padres struck back in the second inning. Jackson Merrill singled, and Jake Cronenworth hit a two-run homer off Dodgers starter Landon Knack, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead. Although King struggled early, he showcased the grit of the Padres’ pitching staff, escaping a bases-loaded situation by striking out Betts and then settling down to allow just one more baserunner over the next three innings.
Defensive Plays and Bullpen Battle
In the fourth inning, Knack allowed a leadoff double to Jurickson Profar, who later scored on an RBI single from Bogaerts. Cronenworth added another run with an RBI double, extending the lead to 4-1. The Padres’ defense shone in the fifth, with Profar making a stunning diving catch on a hit from Ohtani.
The game turned into a bullpen duel. In the seventh, manager Mike Shildt made a strategic call by bringing in lefty Tanner Scott to face Ohtani. Scott successfully induced a double play and struck out Ohtani. In the eighth, Jason Adam took the mound, and Profar continued to impress with another outstanding catch to deny Betts.
Dramatic Finish
In the ninth, All-Star closer Robert Suarez faced trouble, allowing singles to Will Smith and La Jolla Country Day alum Tommy Edman, bringing the tying run to the plate. Hernandez’s broken-bat single cut the lead to 4-2, but the Padres pulled off an incredible around-the-horn triple play to end the game.
Looking Ahead
Now trailing the Dodgers by just 2.0 games, the Padres have a chance to close the gap on Wednesday with Dylan Cease facing Jack Flaherty. A sweep would not only match the Dodgers’ record but also place the Padres in first due to their head-to-head advantage. With a crucial series against Arizona on the horizon, it’s clear that San Diego is poised to host October baseball once again.
