In an exciting matchup at San Diego, the Los Angeles Dodgers kick-started their divisional series against the Padres with a thrilling 8-7 victory in extra innings. Andy Pages started the 10th inning by smacking an RBI double, which was crucial in the inning, and successfully scored thereafter on a single by Tommy Edman. This opening game forms part of a string of seven head-to-head encounters between these Southern California competitors over the course of 11 days. These games serve as a sequel to their last October face-off during the NL Division Series, a contest that saw the Dodgers overcome a 2-1 deficit, advancing to the World Series.
The efforts of Will Smith, who homered and contributed three runs to his team’s tally, stood out in the game. In the decisive extra inning, Pages managed to shine once again by delivering a significant hit off Wandy Peralta, who currently holds a 3-1 record. Subsequently, Edman drove him in with a hit that was blessed with luck, bouncing off second base in a way that benefited the Dodgers.
In the latter stages of the game, Jackson Merrill managed a one-out RBI double for the Padres, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Dodgers’ victory. The night concluded with Tanner Scott’s 12th save, cinching the win for Los Angeles. Kirby Yates made notable contributions by striking out two opponents in a seamless ninth inning, achieving his fourth win of the current season.
Although Tyler Wade hit a three-run triple that displayed potential for the Padres, the team has been contending with a slump, having now lost four out of their last six games. Padres starter Nick Pivetta struggled, surrendering five runs and eight hits over a four-inning spell. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ Dustin May yielded six hits and offered four free passes during his own five-inning stint.
Among the high points for the visiting Dodgers was the performance of Shohei Ohtani, who opened proceedings with a blistering 111-mph double, eventually scoring thanks to a double from Freddie Freeman, who unearthed three hits in total. In contrast, Manny Machado’s RBI double initially gave the Padres hope during the first.
A crucial two-run homer from Smith pushed the Dodgers into a 5-3 lead in the third inning, though the Padres quickly regained ground with Wade’s bases-clearing hit, barely eluding Teoscar Hernández in an attempt to catch the ball on a slide in right field.
Later, a pivotal equalizer came in the fifth inning off the bat of Hyeseong Kim. His timely double allowed the Dodgers to level the score, setting the stage for Pages to step in and deliver a decisive hit to drive in Max Muncy during extra innings.
The matchup was played out under the vibrant ambiance typical of Petco Park, with a blend of cheers showing support for both squads in this thriving baseball rivalry. Both starting pitchers endured a rough day, with 11 runs scored between the two sides in the early innings.
Looking ahead, Padres’ Dylan Cease is slated to pitch on Tuesday, carrying a challenging 1-5 record with a 4.72 ERA, all while the Dodgers continue to grapple with injuries impacting their rotation, leaving an announcement regarding their upcoming pitcher pending.