The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Saturday night in a thrilling matchup at Petco Park. The victory further solidified the Dodgers’ position at the top of the NL West standings, while the Padres continue to try to gain ground on their division rivals.
The Dodgers got off to a strong start, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a two-run homer by Max Muncy off Padres starter Joe Musgrove. Musgrove, who has been impressive for the Padres this season, had a rough outing, giving up four runs on five hits in just five innings of work.
The Padres battled back, scoring a run in the bottom of the first and tying the game in the fifth on a solo home run by Tommy Pham. However, the Dodgers were able to regain the lead in the sixth inning when Will Smith hit a two-run homer off Padres reliever Austin Adams.
The Dodgers’ bullpen held strong, with relievers Jimmy Nelson, Blake Treinen, and Kenley Jansen combining for four scoreless innings to close out the game. Jansen picked up his 20th save of the season, continuing his strong performance in the closer role.
Offensively, the Dodgers were led by Muncy, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI, and Smith, who also had two hits and two RBI. The Padres got solid performances from Pham and Fernando Tatis Jr., who each had two hits on the night.
The win improved the Dodgers’ record to 60-39 on the season, while the Padres dropped to 58-44. The two teams will face off again on Sunday in the final game of the series, with the Dodgers looking to complete the sweep and extend their lead in the division.
Overall, it was a hard-fought game between two talented teams, but in the end, the Dodgers came out on top. With strong performances from both their offense and bullpen, they were able to outlast the Padres and secure an important victory as they continue their push towards the postseason.