The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t capitalize on all their opportunities against Yu Darvish, but they scratched across enough and Walker Buehler was dominant in a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres.
Buehler entered the night with a 7.32 ERA in September and having gone at least six innings in only two of four starts during the month. Against the Padres he more closely resembled the pitcher that helped carry the staff through the five months of the season.
Buehler didn’t allow a hit until Eric Hosmer’s chopper went for a soft infield single to lead off the fifth inning. Of course, it was Hosmer who previously broke up Max Scherzer’s perfect game at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 12.
Buehler later allowed two more hits and issued two walks on the night but got through seven scoreless innings. The Padres’ biggest threat came in the sixth, when they put two on with one out for Fernando Tatis Jr., who wound up grounding into a double play.
Buehler reached 200 strikeouts for a second time in the past three seasons, and has now logged 200 innings for the first time in his career.
The Dodgers staked Buehler an early lead when doubles by Mookie Betts and Trea Turner put them ahead 1-0 in the first inning. Turner then led off the second with a base hit, later moved into scoring position and after Justin Turner’s walk with two outs, AJ Pollock hit an RBI single.
Yu Darvish held the Dodgers to just two runs, but five hits and four walks led to an inflated pitch count and thus only getting through four innings.
The Padres’ bullpen did its part to prevent the Dodgers from adding to their lead by similarly to Darvish, pitching through some traffic.
That kept pressure on the Dodgers, and Blake Treinen cracked a bit by surrendering a solo home run to Jake Cronenworth in the ninth before converting the save opportunity.
Dodgers’ potential Wild Card matchup
With the San Francisco Giants leading the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night when the score went final at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers were looking at remaining two games back for first place in the National League West.
As they continue to inch closer to an appearance in the Wild Card Game, the Dodgers know that would be played against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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 more!
