AJ Pollock robbed Manny Machado of a go-ahead home run and later drove in a pair himself to help the Los Angeles Dodgers end a four-game losing streak to the San Diego Padres with a 5-2 win in the series opener at Petco Park.
The victory was the Dodgers’ first against the Padres since April, and overall they are 14-2 in their past 16 games. Meanwhile, the Padres have lost 10 of their last 12 and remain outside of the postseason picture.
Will Smith got L.A. an early lead with a solo home run in the second inning off Pierce Johnson, who got through a scoreless first inning in his role as an opener. The homer was Smith’s 19th this season, which is good for third-most on the team.
Julio Urias did not allow a baserunner until walking Tommy Pham to lead off the fourth inning. Two batters later Machado ambushed the first pitch he saw for a drive to left field.
Will, we loved your last hit. pic.twitter.com/V5AOGBs3yM
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 25, 2021
Not Manny guys can do what AJ just did. 😱 pic.twitter.com/ib9F97Vcdi
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 25, 2021
AJ is doing it at the wall 𝑨𝑵𝑫 at the plate! 💪 pic.twitter.com/J63TwZsjJl
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 25, 2021
Off the bat it appeared headed for the second deck in left field, but Pollock began to track its flight and made a leaping catch at the wall. “It was hit really well,” Urias said after the game.
“Obviously when I saw AJ going back and getting under the ball, I knew there was a chance. But you get the fans involved, so there’s a little bit of confusion and worry. … It was a really good play.”
Pollock later provided the Dodgers with insurance on a two-run single in the seventh inning, and Justin Turner and Corey Seager each added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
That proved key as Corey Knebel surrendered a two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning, and Kenley Jansen had to pitch to Adam Frazier as the tying run at the plate in the ninth.
Pollock wanted redemption
Days removed from coming up short on a chance to rob Pete Alonso of a home run, Pollock said he wanted to prove to teammates he is capable of getting off the ground for a highlight-reel catch.
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