Dodgers show their prizefighter instincts in comeback victory over Padres
SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers survived blow after blow. They absorbed punch after punch.
For eight innings Sunday, they were outhit, outfielded and outplayed by the San Diego Padres, seemingly destined for a rubber-match loss and series defeat against their National League West rivals.
But then Mookie Betts landed a game-saving hook, tying the score with a two-out home run in the ninth.
Michael Busch delivered a go-ahead jab, putting the Dodgers in front with an RBI single in the 10th.
Dodgers defeat the Padres, 5-2
Tenth inning
Dodgers: Brent Honeywell now pitching for the Padres. Freddie Freeman is the runner on second. Will Smith grounded to second, Freeman to third. Max Muncy struck out looking. Michael Busch singled to left, scoring Freeman. James Outman homered to right. It’s suddenly 5-2 Dodgers. Miguel Vargas struck out swinging.
Padres: Evan Phillips now pitching for the Dodgers. Trent Grisham is the runner at second. Fernando Tatis Jr. flied to deep center, Grisham to third. Manny Machado struck out swinging. Juan Soto grounded to first.
Final score: Dodgers 5, Padres 2
Dodgers tie it in ninth on Mookie Betts’ home run
Ninth inning
Dodgers: Left-hander Josh Hader now pitching for the Padres. Trayce Thompson, batting for David Peralta, grounded to short. Dodgers keep using Thompson against lefties even though he has proven time and again that he can’t hit lefties (lifetime below .200 against them). Chris Taylor flied to left. Mookie Betts homered to left. Freddie Freeman flied to left.
Padres: Left-hander Caleb Ferguson now pitching for the Dodgers. Ha-Seong Kim popped to second. Brett Phillips struck out looking. Trent Grisham struck out swinging.
Score after nine: Dodgers 2, Padres 2
Dodgers strand two with no one out, still trail by one after eight
Eighth inning
Dodgers: Will Smith doubled to right. Max Muncy walked. Michael Busch, batting for Miguel Rojas, stuck out swinging. James Outman flied to left. Miguel Vargas lined to short.
Padres: Left-hander Victor González now pitching for the Dodgers. Juan Soto hit a slow roller between the mound and first and beat it out for a single. Xander Bogaerts grounded to second, forcing Soto. Nelson Cruz struck out swinging. Jake Cronenworth popped to short.
Score after eight: Padres 2, Dodgers 1
It’s 2-1 Padres after seven
Seventh inning
Dodgers: Chris Taylor struck out swinging. Mookie Betts struck out swinging. Right-hander Nick Martinez replaced Steve Wilson. Freddie Freeman hit a soft liner to short.
Padres: Trent Grisham, batting for Adam Engel, grounded to second. Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out swinging. Manny Machado flied to left.
Score after seven: Padres 2, Dodgers 1
Dodgers get on the board in the sixth inning
Sixth inning
Dodgers: Freddie Freeman doubled to left. The ball bounced out of Soto’s glove, so not really sure how that’s a hit. Will Smith doubled to left, scoring Freeman. Left-hander Tim Hill replaced Joe Musgrove on the mound. Max Muncy struck out swinging. Miguel Rojas, batting for Jason Heyward, flied to center. James Outman was hit by a pitch. Steve Wilson replaced Tim Hill. Miguel Vargas walked. David Petalta popped to second.
Padres: Xander Bogaerts walked. Nelson Cruz struck out looking. Jake Cronenworth struck out swinging. Ha-Seong Kim singled to center, Bogaerts to second. Yency Almonte replaced Julio Urías. Brett Sullivan hit for Austin Nola struck out swinging.
Score after six: Padres 2, Dodgers 1
Quiet fifth inning leaves it 2-0 Padres
Fifth inning
Dodgers: Miguel Vargas grounded to the pitcher. David Peralta grounded to second. Chris Taylor singled to right. Mookie Betts flied to right.
Padres: Adam Engel struck out looking. Fernando Tatis Jr. grounded to third. Manny Machado singled to center. Juan Soto flied to center.
Score after five: Padres 2, Dodgers 0
After four, it’s 2-0 Padres
Fourth inning
Dodgers: Will Smith walked. Max Muncy struck out looking. Smith stole second as Jason Heyward struck out. James Outman fouled to third.
Padres: Xander Bogaerts popped to first. Nelson Cruz flied to left. Jake Cronenworth singled to right. Ha-Seong Kim grounded to the pitcher and was safe on Urías error, Cronenworth to second. Austin Nola popped to second.
Score after four: Padres 2, Dodgers 0
Padres 2, Dodgers 0 after three innings
Third inning
Dodgers: Miguel Vargas grounded to second. David Peralta walked. Chris Taylor flied to right. Mookie Betts walked. Freddie Freeman popped to short.
Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr. lined to third. Manny Machado singled to left. Juan Soto grounded into a 3-6-3 double play.
Score after three: Padres 2, Dodgers 0
Still 2-0 Padres after two
Second inning
Dodgers: Max Muncy flied to right. Jason Heyward struck out swinging. James Outman flied to center.
Padres: Ha-Seong Kim flied to center. Austin Nola flied to right. Adam Engel grounded to the pitcher.
Score after two: Padres 2, Dodgers 0
Padres take 2-0 lead after one inning
First inning
Dodgers: Mookie Betts struck out swinging. Freddie Freeman struck out looking. Will Smith flied to left.
Padres: The ESPN announcers are big Padres fans. Fernando Tatis Jr. doubled to center. James Outman took two steps back when the ball was hit, but it was hit shallow. By the time he adjusted, it was too late. Manny Machado doubled to right-center, scoring Tatis. Juan Soto flied to right, Machado to third. Xander Bogaerts flied to deep right. It bounced in and out of Mookie Betts’ glove for a double (it should have been an error). Machado scored. Nelson Cruz grounded to short. Jake Cronenworth flied to left.
Score after one inning: Padres 2, Dodgers 0
Today’s starting lineups
The starting lineups for today’s Dodgers-Padres game:
Dodgers-Padres series might be played in South Korea in 2024
The Dodgers’ Southern California rivalry with the San Diego Padres could soon be going to South Korea.
The two teams are likely to open the 2024 regular season with a series in South Korea, according to a person with knowledge of the situation unauthorized to speak publicly because the decision hasn’t been finalized.
The games would be Major League Baseball’s first in South Korea, and would put the budding rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres under an international spotlight.
Chris Taylor provides muscle, Dustin May offers grit in Dodgers’ victory over Padres
SAN DIEGO — At every mention of their rivalry with the Padres this past week, or every reference to revenge after last year’s playoff elimination, the Dodgers preached nothing but poise and control.
Emotions have been downplayed.
Ramifications minimized.
The importance of a single early-season series kept in perspective.
Dodgers TV schedule for the 2023 regular season
Here’s a look at the Dodgers TV schedule for the 2023 regular season. All times and broadcast/streaming options are subject to change.
