The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t muster much on offense but were able to push across just enough to get a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres in the opening game of their final homestand of the regular season.
They were sparked early by doubles from Mookie Betts and Trea Turner resulting in a 1-0 lead in the first inning. L.A. left the bases loaded in the second when Corey Seager flied out, and were on the verge of leaving two more on base in the third.
However, AJ Pollock delivered a two-out RBI single to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0. That wound up being it for their offense as they went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 13 on base.
Walker Buehler entered the night with a 7.32 ERA over four starts in September. He shook that off and 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. It was a familiar position for Hosmer, who previously broke up Max Scherzer’s perfect game at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 12.
this was the baserunning thing pic.twitter.com/qTgF9LvdoX
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 29, 2021
AJ to the gap is good for a run! #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/JdZlQtum45
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 29, 2021
Nah, Pham. pic.twitter.com/9hOFsVO4C5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 29, 2021
Otra magnífica actuación de Walker Buehler.✨#LosDodgers #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/etnUjuHxtD
— Los Dodgers (@LosDodgers) September 29, 2021
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 grounded 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.
Blake Treinen surrendered a solo home run to Jake Cronenworth in the ninth inning before converting the save opportunity.
Dodgers running out of time
With the San Francisco Giants defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, the Dodgers remained two games back of first place in the National League West.
Should L.A. wind up in the Wild Card Game, they would host the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
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