After scoring just one run on Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers had the same fate against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, losing 5-1 as they dropped the series and now look to avoid being swept on Sunday.
Nestor Cortes started for the Padres and allowed just one baserunner over six innings of work while also striking out three. Cortes took a perfect game into the sixth inning, but Miguel Rojas singled with one out to prevent the no-hitter.
That was the first start in his career that Cortes only allowed one baserunner or fewer over at least six innings.
It was also the second consecutive night the Dodgers were only able to tally one hit for the majority of the game. In the series opener, Alex Freeland had their only hit, a home run, until a pair of singles in the ninth inning.
And once again, Freeland provided the only run for the Dodgers in this one as he blasted a pinch-hit solo home run in the eighth inning to break the shutout.
Between the starts from Yu Darvish on Friday and Nestor Cortes on Saturday, it was the first time in L.A. Dodgers franchise history (since 1958) that a pair of pitchers have thrown consecutive games of at least six innings while allowing one or fewer hits against them, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
The Padres took the lead in the fourth inning as Tyler Glasnow struggled with his command. It was the second straight inning that Glasnow walked two hitters in the inning, although he escaped the third without any runs scoring.
He was unable to get out of the jam the second time as he also allowed two singles and a sacrifice fly. Ramón Laureano singled in the first two runs before Jake Cronenworth brought in the other with his fly out.
Glasnow finished his outing with just four innings pitched, allowing three runs on two hits, with four walks and three strikeouts.
The Padres added onto their lead in the eighth inning when Xander Bogaerts doubled home two runs against Justin Wrobleski. The inning started on a leadoff walk from Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado reached on an intentional walk.
Padres take lead over Dodgers in NL West
The Dodgers and Padres entered the game tied atop the National League West, each at 73-56, but the Dodgers held the tiebreaker due to winning the season series against San Diego, effectively keeping them in first place.
But with the loss, the Dodgers have now fallen one game behind the Padres in the division and now hold sole possession of second place. The Dodgers could re-claim first place with a win in the series finale on Sunday with a matchup between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Nick Pivetta.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
