The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the 2022 National League Division Series with a 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres, but after the first three innings, their offense became non-existent.
Julio Urías pitched a clean first inning before Trea Turner put the Dodgers on top with a solo home run. It was a much-needed start for Turner, who has historically struggled in the playoffs.
Will Smith then roped a two-out double and he came around to score on a single from Max Muncy to extend the lead to 2-0.
In the bottom of the third, Turner picked up his second extra-base hit of the game with a leadoff double. Smith then once again came through with another double to drive in Turner.
With two outs, Gavin Lux laced a double down the right field line that allowed Smith to score, but Max Muncy was held up at third base. However, after a walk from Trayce Thompson to load the bases, Cody Bellinger hit a ground ball to first base that Wil Myers was unable to field, and every runner moved up a base to make the score 5-0 in favor of the Dodgers.
TREA! pic.twitter.com/HdJDELGdNc
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Whiff. pic.twitter.com/eeEw8VCiea
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 12, 2022
Puttin' up a three-spot. pic.twitter.com/7L9I5UI9Be
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 12, 2022
Turn it! pic.twitter.com/nzuCPqiWmV
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 12, 2022
W. #WinForVin pic.twitter.com/vH1Z2bNTGo
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 12, 2022
10 more. #WinForVin pic.twitter.com/zEz71yRLIk
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 12, 2022
Urías was cruising up until the fifth inning, when the Padres finally got on the board when Myers made up for his error with a solo home run. Jake Cronenworth then singled and Ha-Seong Kim doubled.
Trent Grisham grounded out to cut the Dodgers’ lead to three runs and Austin Nola hit a sacrifice fly to pul the Padres within two.
Evan Phillips replaced Urías in the sixth inning but pitched himself into some trouble with a walk to Juan Soto and an infield single from Manny Machado. Josh Bell pinch hit and struck out, then Phillips got Myers to ground into a double play with some help from Lux and Turner.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts referred to that as “the play of the game.”
Dodgers turn to Chris Martin for save
Following Phillips, Alex Vesia pitched 1.2 scoreless innings and Brusdar Graterol retired Manny Machado to end the eighth. Chris Martin was the first to receive a save opportunity with the closer-by-committee approach, and he worked a scoreless inning of his own to close it out.
For Martin, that was the first save of his career in the postseason. He has nine career saves in the regular season.
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