The Los Angeles Dodgers again failed to solve Ryan Weathers and despite finding success against the San Diego Padres bullpen, suffered a 3-2 loss. The Dodgers have now dropped consecutive games to the Padres, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
L.A. put the leadoff man on base in each of the first three innings, but it wasn’t until Walker Buehler lined a single into right field to open the bottom of the third that they had their first hit.
That didn’t amount to anything as Weathers continued to enjoy success against the Dodgers. He only pitched 5.2 innings but ended the night by retiring the final 11 batters faced. The outing was the longest of Weathers’ career, passing the five innings he threw against the Dodgers last week.
Dating back to last year’s National League Division Series, Weathers has not allowed a run to the Dodgers over 10.2 innings pitched.
There was immediate trouble upon San Diego going to their bullpen as Austin Adams walked Justin Turner and hit Will Smith with a pitch. He worked out of the jam by getting Max Muncy swinging. Emilio Pagan wasn’t quite as fortunate to start the bottom of the seventh, surrendering back-to-back home runs to AJ Pollock and Sheldon Neuse that tied the game.
Pollock and Neuse were among the Dodgers who had previously flied out to the warning track. The homers were also notable in that it was the first of the season for Pollock, and first for Neuse in his career.
Blake Treinen was unable to keep the game tied, with singles by Jurickson Profar and Victor Caratini putting runners on the corners with nobody out. San Diego scored what held as the game-winning run on a double play.
The Dodgers threatened in the bottom of the eighth on Turner’s walk and Smith’s ground-rule double that was overturned after being ruled fair. An intentional walk loaded the bases with one out, and Jake Cronenworth made a tremendous stop for an inning-ending double play.
The loss was the Dodgers’ first at home this season.
Buehler sets season highs
Buehler did his part to match Weathers’ effort, but ultimately having the Dodgers’ lone hit for much of the night proved insurmountable. Buehler got through three perfect innings before his first pitch of the fourth was driven into left field by Fernando Tatis Jr. for a base hit.
Tatis then stole second base and came around to score on Manny Machado’s RBI single. The Padres doubled their lead in the sixth inning on Trent Grisham’s home run that went more than halfway up the pavilion in right field.
Buehler turned in a quality start at seven innings, good for his longest outing of the year. He also finished with season-high nine strikeouts.
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