Andy Pages led off the 10th inning with an RBI double and scored on Tommy Edman’s single, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 8-7 on Monday night.
Will Smith homered and scored three runs in the opener of seven games in 11 days between the Southern California rivals. It’s also a replay of their NL Division Series from last October when the Dodgers recovered from a 2-1 hole to defeat San Diego with back-to-back shutouts in what proved to be their most difficult playoff test on the path to a World Series title.
After Andy Pages delivered another clutch hit against Wandy Peralta (3-1), Edman brought him home on a lucky bouncer that ricocheted off second.
In the tenth inning, San Diego’s Jackson Merrill hit a game-changing one-out RBI double, giving the Padres hope. Tanner Scott, on the other hand, rose to the occasion and finished out the game, recording his 12th save of the season. Despite Merrill’s late-game heroics, the Padres were unable to complete the comeback, losing in a close game.
Earlier in the game, Kirby Yates (4-2) demonstrated his dominance on the mound by retiring two batters in a scoreless eighth inning. His performance kept the Padres within striking distance, paving the way for a possible late-game surge. Yates’ consistency has been a valuable addition to the squad, offering steadiness during vital moments.
One of the Padres’ best moments came when Tyler Wade hit a three-run triple, exciting the fans and giving his club a much-needed offensive boost. His clutch hit changed momentum in San Diego’s favor, but the squad was unable to retain its lead. Wade’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations is still a bright spot for the struggling Padres.
Despite their efforts, the Padres have lost four of their last six games, increasing worries about their ability to win close games. While individual performances by Merrill, Yates, and Wade show promise, the squad will need to find consistency to turn things around. As they prepare for their next opponents, perfecting their late-game strategy will be critical to regaining momentum.
Nick Pivetta allowed five runs and eight hits in his second consecutive bad start for the Padres, while Dustin May allowed six hits and four walks in five innings for LA.
Shohei Ohtani started with a 111-mph double and scored on Freddie Freeman’s double, one of three hits. Manny Machado hit an RBI double for San Diego in the first inning.
Smith’s sixth home run gave the Dodgers a 5-3 lead in the third inning. Wade cleared the bases for the Padres later in the third with a two-out drive that Teoscar Hernández couldn’t catch while sliding into right field.
Pivotal Moment: Andy Pages’ Game-Changing Play
Hyeseong Kim hit a game-tying double in the fifth inning, keeping the Dodgers in contention. His well-placed hit electrified the team, tying the game and setting the atmosphere for a tight matchup between the rivals. Despite multiple opportunities, neither team was able to break the stalemate for the following few innings, as both defences remained strong.
The game stayed 0-0 until Andy Pages stepped up in the clutch, driving in Max Muncy to take the lead. Pages’ game-winning hit ensured the Dodgers’ hard-fought triumph. His ability to produce under duress once again demonstrated his importance to the team in key situations.
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In the customary electrifying atmosphere at Petco Park, the rivalry game saw both starting pitchers struggle against two dominating lineups, giving up a combined 11 runs in the first three innings. The furious offensive show kept the fans enthralled as both teams scored on early scoring opportunities, paving the way for a high-stakes duel.
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