The Los Angeles Dodgers took the first game of the NLDS rivalry against the San Diego Padres 5-3, aided by a hot start from a strong lineup.
It was the Dodgers’ Trea Turner and Will Smith who got the ball rolling and they never looked back.
The game started with Turner sucking a fastball from Padres starter Mike Clevinger. It was the third pitch of the game, which he threw toward left field to give the Dodgers the lead. Then, after Smith doubled for him, Max his Muncie singled him home to set the tone early in the 2–0 lead.
Smith found himself in an RBI scenario in the bottom of the third when Turner doubled to lead off the inning. He scored his second double of the game, teamed it to left field, and easily scored a speedy Turner to make him 3–0. Gavin Lux extended the lead and a two-RBI double put him up 5-0.
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But the Padres weren’t going to lie down in Game 1. Will Myers hit a solo home run that was just out of reach of Dodgers left fielder Trace Thompson to put San Diego on the board after a short referee review.
Jake Cronenworth’s single and Husong Kim’s double gave Trent Grisham the opportunity to knock in a few more runs, and he scored one on a groundout to first base. Kim scored on Austin’s Nora sacrifice fly and the Padres were led by his two points 5-3.
But that’s all the Padres get. Their best situation came in the top of the sixth, when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to replace starter Julio Julius with right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips, with the first two runners on base.
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However, the Padres squandered an opportunity as pinch hitter Josh Bell struck out and Myers ended the threat with a 4-6-3 double play.
From there, the score remained the same until the end of the game when both bullpens shut down hitters who came to the plate and Chris Martin got the save to record the victory for the home team.
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Urias finished with a line of 3 earned runs on 4 hits with 6 strikeouts in 5 innings. Then the Dodgers’ four bullpen his arm came out, which Roberts tactically placed, and the move worked in his favor.
As for Clevinger, he left the game in just 2.2 innings, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks.
As mentioned earlier, the Padres flexed their bullpen muscles with four pitchers allowing no runs. Pierce Johnson worked the longest two innings without allowing a hit and getting two strikeouts.
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Game 2 of the NLDS will feature former Dodgers Yu Darvish and Dodger legend Clayton Kershaw on Wednesday at 5:37 PM PT.