Padres Push Dodgers to the Brink but Fall Short in a Gritty NL West Clash
Let me tell you what went down between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers—it wasn’t just another game. It felt like October baseball in June. Yes, the standings still say the Dodgers are the class of the NL West, but if this recent series at Petco Park proved anything, it’s that the Padres aren’t backing down. Not even close.
Now, on the surface, it might look like the Dodgers are flying high—literally and figuratively. They’re the only team in MLB chartering two planes, boasting a loaded roster, headlined by Shohei Ohtani, and backed by deep pockets and championship swagger. Meanwhile, the Padres? Well, they had a five-hour delay in Milwaukee because of a flat tire on their charter. Players ended up killing time by playing hacky sack on the tarmac, and somehow, that playful spirit carried over into the next night’s game.
Monday night’s showdown in San Diego had all the drama you could want—lead changes, clutch hits, sloppy defense, and even a few moments of fire from Manny Machado. Despite coming up short in a 10-inning, 8-7 thriller, the Padres made it clear they belong in the conversation. It’s easy to forget, but this is a team that nearly eliminated the Dodgers in last year’s NLDS.
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Sure, the Padres have their issues. Slumps from key bats like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill have made scoring runs tougher. Injuries to starters like Yu Darvish and Michael King have stretched their pitching depth thin. And the bottom half of the lineup hasn’t delivered the way it did a season ago. But through all that, they’ve gone 9-6 in their last 15 games—all close contests. That says something about their resilience.
Nick Pivetta, in his first taste of the rivalry, gave up four earned runs in four innings but still battled. Wandy Peralta couldn’t hold the line in extras, but let’s be honest—this bullpen has been overworked. Robert Suárez, one of the best closers in baseball right now, had already pitched three times in four days and couldn’t be pushed any further.
Offensively, it was a back-and-forth slugfest. The Padres responded early to the Dodgers’ first-inning runs with hits from Tatis, Arráez, and Machado. Tyler Wade came through with a clutch triple, and the fans—27th sellout of the year, by the way—were loving every second of it. But defensive miscues and a blown opportunity in the 10th cost them dearly. Lockridge misplayed a line drive, and Machado struck out looking on a borderline call that had him furious with the umpire.
After the game, the vibe in the clubhouse was one of frustration—but also pride. “We can still play better,” Tatis said. And Merrill, ever the competitor, put it best: “We’re going to lose by one sometimes. We’re going to win by one. Tomorrow’s a new day.”
This series was just the beginning. There’s another four-game set coming up in L.A., and if this rivalry continues on this path, it might be the most compelling storyline in the National League this season. The Dodgers are the defending champs, no doubt. But the Padres? They’re knocking on the door again—and they’re not going away quietly.
This wasn’t just a game. It was a statement. The Padres are still here.
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