The Los Angeles Dodgers opened up their highly-anticipated National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night, cruising to a 5-1 victory in Game 1 at Globe Life Field in Texas.
Walker Buehler again was on the mound in a playoff series opener but it was hardly smooth sailing due to some command issues. Buehler walked the bases loaded in the second inning although he was able to energize the Dodgers by escaping the jam with back-to-back strikeouts of Jurickson Profar and Trent Grisham.
Buehler only lasted four innings, allowing one run as the Padres struck first on an RBI single by Austin Nola in his final frame.
It took a little while for the Dodgers to get going offensively even though it became a bullpen game for the Padres when starter Mike Clevinger left in the second inning due to injury.
Despite not getting hits, Dodgers batters remained patient, working 10 walks on the night, which was a huge key to their success.
They finally broke through, scoring a run in the fifth inning to tie the game. Justin Turner and Will Smith both reached on walks, setting the stage for Cody Bellinger. He grounded to second, which should’ve ended the inning, although he hustled out of the box which forced Jake Cronenworth to make a wide throw that was dropped by Eric Hosmer, allowing Bellinger to reach and Turner to come around and score.
The big inning came in the sixth when the Dodgers scored four more runs to break the game open. Once again, the rally started on a walk as Chris Taylor reached with one out, followed by a double off the bat of Mookie Betts, which was the Dodgers’ first hit.
Corey Seager drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly, which was followed by an RBI single from Turner. After Max Muncy doubled and Smith walked to load the bases, again it was Bellinger coming through with an infield hit to bring a run home. A wild pitch then accounted for the fifth and final run.
Dodgers bullpen shuts door
The Padres have been a team to erase deficits all season long, but that wasn’t the case in Game 1 as the Dodgers’ bullpen was flawless in relief of Buehler.
Dustin May was first, giving L.A. two scoreless innings. Victor Gonzalez then contributed a scoreless inning, followed by 1.1 shutout frames from Blake Treinen and then the final two outs by Kenley Jansen to finish the game off.
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