The Los Angeles Dodgers asserted their dominance once again over their NL West rivals, the San Diego Padres, with a convincing 9–3 win at Petco Park on Tuesday night. The Dodgers came into this series looking to build momentum ahead of the All-Star break, and they certainly delivered with a strong performance both at the plate and on the mound.
Dodgers’ Offense Explodes Early
It didn’t take long for the Dodgers’ lineup to impose their will. Mookie Betts led off with a double, followed by a two-run homer from Freddie Freeman that set the tone early. Will Smith and Max Muncy each contributed with key hits as Los Angeles put up five runs in the first three innings. The Dodgers finished with 14 total hits, with six players recording multi-hit games.
Padres Struggle Despite Machado’s Effort
San Diego’s struggles continued as they failed to generate consistent offense. Manny Machado was a bright spot, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the fifth. However, the Padres left runners stranded in key innings, unable to capitalize on the few opportunities they had.
Pitching Breakdown
Bobby Miller earned the win for the Dodgers, allowing just two runs over six solid innings while striking out seven. Padres’ starter Yu Darvish couldn’t find a rhythm, giving up six runs in just 4.2 innings. The Dodgers bullpen held strong, preventing any late comeback attempt.
What’s Next?
The Dodgers improved to 54–34 on the season and remain in first place in the division. The Padres, now 45–44, must bounce back quickly as they look to avoid a sweep in the series finale.
