The Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back from having their season-best six-game winning streak snapped by defeating the San Diego Padres, 2-1, in another postseason atmosphere at Petco Park.
Blake Snell was on his way to becoming the latest left-handed pitcher to have his way with the Dodgers lineup as he retired the first 11 batters faced. That was snapped by Will Smith’s two-out walk in the fourth inning, which led to Chris Taylor slugging what held as a game-winning two-run home run.
Max Muncy followed that with a walk to make it three consecutive batters reaching, though he was left on base. Snell wound up holding the Dodgers to just the two runs and one hit over six innings.
His effort was bested by Dustin May, who tied a season high with six strikeouts. May allowed three hits and issued a walk over six scoreless innings.
Chris Taylor goes yard! 💣 pic.twitter.com/GqefkFhwon
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 7, 2023
Dustin May with a strikeout HBPpic.twitter.com/1dhR9zOzLR
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) May 7, 2023
Shut it down, Dustin! pic.twitter.com/ZrbP2tct2N
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 7, 2023
Evan Phillips puts San Diego to bed 🛏️😴 pic.twitter.com/H8ALkhfqmK
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 7, 2023
The Dodgers failed to capitalize on loading the bases in the eighth inning and finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base. They went 0-for-7 in RSIP situations during Friday’s loss.
Not adding onto their lead nearly cost the Dodgers as Trayce Thompson’s misplay in the bottom of the eighth resulted in a leadoff double for Brett Sullivan. Fernando Tatís Jr. followed with an RBI double, but Brusdar Graterol then retired Manny Machado, Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts to keep L.A. ahead.
Dodgers closer
Evan Phillips took the ball in the ninth inning and struck out three of four batters faced, stranding a walk to convert his team-leading fourth save of the season.
Phillips has not officially been named Dodgers closer, but he is viewed as one of their primary options for the ninth inning.
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