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Padres – Dodgers rivalry action produced a one-sided result Tuesday night, as Los Angeles blanked San Diego 7-0 at Dodger Stadium. The victory gave the Dodgers a crucial boost in the National League playoff race while ending the Padres’ five-game winning streak.
Tommy Edman and Will Smith homered, Freddie Freeman delivered a two-run single, and Los Angeles capitalized on several two-out opportunities. According to The Associated Press, the Dodgers scored six of their seven runs with two outs, turning a tense series opener into a dominant September statement.
Padres – Dodgers clash turns into a decisive Los Angeles win
The Dodgers improved to 97-60 and moved within one game of the Milwaukee Brewers, who hold the best record in the majors at 98-59. Milwaukee owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, making every remaining Los Angeles game increasingly important for postseason positioning and home-field advantage.
Los Angeles also strengthened its position for a first-round bye in the National League Division Series. The Dodgers need one more win, or an Atlanta loss, to secure that valuable postseason benefit.
The victory was the Dodgers’ fifth straight and improved their September record to 15-5. San Diego, meanwhile, slipped to 14-5 during the month and remained 87-70 overall. The Padres are tied with the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies for the three National League wild-card positions.
Powerful second inning puts San Diego under pressure
San Diego starter Michael King entered the game with a four-game winning streak, but the Dodgers quickly disrupted his rhythm. King retired the first two batters of the second inning on only six pitches before Los Angeles loaded the bases.
Teoscar Hernández and rookie Josue De Paula produced consecutive singles. King then hit Andy Pages, who had recently returned from the injured list, before issuing consecutive walks to Edman and Mookie Betts. Those free passes forced home two runs.
Freeman followed with a two-run single, giving Los Angeles a 4-0 lead. The rally showed the Dodgers’ patience at the plate and their ability to punish mistakes, particularly with two outs and runners in scoring position.
King was removed after four innings. The right-hander allowed five runs on six hits and struck out five in his career-high 32nd start of the season. His final line ended a productive stretch for the Padres starter.
Edman and Smith deliver explosive home runs
Betts added a ground-rule double in the fourth inning and scored on another two-out single from Freeman, extending the advantage to 5-0. The Dodgers continued to apply pressure without allowing San Diego a realistic path back into the game.
Edman added a solo home run with two outs in the sixth inning. Smith then launched a 396-foot drive with one out in the seventh, completing the scoring and giving Los Angeles a commanding 7-0 lead.
For the Padres, the night was especially difficult for their biggest stars. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado went a combined 1 for 7 and struck out five times. Their quiet performances contributed to San Diego’s lack of offensive momentum throughout the game.
Dodgers bullpen delivers historic shutout effort
Los Angeles opened with Brock Stewart in a bullpen game, while Justin Wrobleski earned the win after working in relief. The Dodgers used eight pitchers to complete the shutout, only the fifth time in franchise history they have recorded a shutout while using at least that many pitchers.
- Final score: Dodgers 7, Padres 0
- Los Angeles record: 97-60
- San Diego record: 87-70
- Two-out runs by Los Angeles: six
- Attendance at Dodger Stadium: 46,066
Edwin Díaz struck out two in one inning, while Roki Sasaki reached 100 mph with his four-seam fastball during a scoreless appearance. Sasaki had returned from the injured list earlier Tuesday after missing nearly a month because of a blister on his right middle finger.
What comes next for the Padres and Dodgers?
The series continues Wednesday with an intriguing pitching matchup. San Diego will send left-hander Robbie Ray to the mound, while Los Angeles counters with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Ray enters with a 13-8 record and a 3.60 ERA. Yamamoto is 14-8 with a 2.51 ERA, setting up another important contest between two postseason contenders. The Padres need a response to protect their wild-card position, while the Dodgers are chasing the best record in the majors and a first-round bye.
With only a handful of regular-season games remaining, the latest Padres – Dodgers result carries significance beyond the rivalry. It affects the National League West, the wild-card race and the battle for postseason home-field advantage.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score between the Padres and Dodgers?
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-0 on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Who hit home runs for the Dodgers?
Tommy Edman hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, and Will Smith added a 396-foot homer in the seventh.
How many runs did the Dodgers score with two outs?
Los Angeles scored six of its seven runs with two outs, including four runs in the second inning.
Who will start the next game?
Robbie Ray is scheduled to start for San Diego against Yoshinobu Yamamoto of Los Angeles.
What does the result mean for the playoff race?
The Dodgers moved to 97-60 and closer to securing a National League Division Series bye. San Diego remained tied for the three National League wild-card spots at 87-70.
