The Los Angeles Dodgers got to former teammate Rich Hill early and cruised to an 8-2 win over the San Diego Padres in the third game of their wraparound series at Petco Park that concludes Monday afternoon.
Hill’s Padres debut left plenty to be desired as he only managed to get through three innings. Hill’s troubles began when he hit Freddie Freeman with a pitch in the first inning.
Amed Rosario took advantage by getting just enough of a fastball for a two-run homer to right field. The home run was Rosario’s second with the Dodgers as he continues to be a valued contributor against left-handed pitching.
Then with one out and runners at the corners, Austin Barnes dropped down a suicide squeeze bunt to score Kiké Hernández. However, it took the Dodgers challenging the initial out call to extend their lead to 3-0.
Gary Sánchez did appear to block the plate before receiving a throw from Ji Man Choi, though Padres manager Bob Melvin shared on the ESPN broadcast his interpretation of MLB’s rule was a catcher could do that when receiving a throw from an infielder.
MLB’s replay review center did not apply the rule as such, and momentum stayed on the Dodgers’ side as Freeman broke the game open with a three-run home run.
The Dodgers went quiet from there until Mookie Betts hit a two-out solo home run in the eighth inning to give him 30 on the season. Hernández added an RBI double in the ninth.
Lance Lynn leads Dodgers pitching
While the Dodgers did not immediately add onto their lead after Freeman’s home run, Lance Lynn turned in another strong performance in his second start with the Dodgers.
Lynn held the Padres to one run, which predictably came on a homer, and he finished with six strikeouts over six innings. Gary Sánchez’s blast to the top of the Western Metal Supply building was one of just four hits Lynn allowed.
Ryan Brasier gave up a leadoff home run to Jake Cronenworth in the seventh inning, but the Dodgers bullpen otherwise finished the game without issue one night after imploding.
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