The Los Angeles Dodgers had more success against Yu Darvish than in his start at Petco Park last week, but it wasn’t enough in a 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers have dropped two consecutive games to their National League West counterpart and at best will tie the series.
The Dodgers were quick out of the gate with Mookie Betts leading off the first inning by pulling a double down the left-field line. After Justin Turner’s walk put runners at the corners with one, Max Muncy blooped an RBI single into right field.
Darvish got out the small jam with a double play and that propelled him toward another strong outing. He hit a batter in each of the next two innings, and walked Muncy in the third to put two on, but nothing came of it for the Dodgers.
Perhaps more importantly was Betts shaking off being hit by a pitch in his left arm. The ball appeared to strike Betts in the left forearm an elbow area, and he was seen flexing his hand, but continued to play.
Like Darvish, Clayton Kershaw didn’t fare as well as he did when last starting. He entered the night without allowing a home run this season, but surrendered three solo shots to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wil Myers.
Tatis’ multi-home run game came 22 years to the day of his father slugging two grand slams off Chan Ho Park, also at Dodger Stadium. They became the first father and son duo to each have a multi-homer game at the same ballpark on the same calendar date.
Kershaw got through seven innings with just the three runs allowed and he struck out seven, doing his part to keep the Dodgers in the game.
L.A. threatened in the bottom of the seventh by putting two on, only for Manny Machado to add to the Padres’ string of impressive defensive plays by robbing Betts of a base hit and likely RBI.
Dodgers injuries
Chris Taylor remained unavailable due lower back tightness that led to being scratched from the lineup on Thursday night. That also was the case for Zach McKinstry, who wound up being placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain.
Matters may have gotten worse for the Dodgers on Friday as Corey Knebel was removed with an apparent injury after throwing just five pitches in the ninth inning.
Dennis Santana struggled upon taking over, allowing the Padres to break the game open with three runs.
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