Meeting for the first time in two months, the Los Angeles Dodgers opened a three-game series at Petco Park with a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres to keep pace with the San Francisco Giants in the National League West race.
Julio Urias returned from the 10-day injured list on the first day he was eligible and held the Padres to just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. Urias’ effort was aided significantly by AJ Pollock making a leaping catch in right to rob Manny Machado of a home run.
Tommy Pham drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth inning to end Urias’ perfect game, and two batters later Machado nearly gave the Padres a lead by ambushing the first pitch he saw. His drive had too steep of a launch angle, which allowed Pollock to time his jump at the wall.
San Diego threatened again in the fifth inning when Eric Hosmer legged out a hustle double for their first hit. Wil Myers followed with a walk and a force out left runners at the corners, where Urias stranded them to preserve the Dodgers’ 1-0 lead.
They held that since the second inning thanks to booming home run from Will Smith to straightaway center field on an elevated fastball out of the zone. That was followed by Padres relief pitchers combining to retire 15 in a row until Justin Turner led off the seventh with a single that started a rally.
Corey Seager’s double and Chris Taylor’s infield single loaded the bases for Pollock, who inflicted further damage on the Padres by slapping a two-run single into right field. Turner and Seager added to the lead in the eighth inning with a sacrifice fly from each.
That proved key as Corey Knebel surrendered a two-run home run before recording an out in the bottom of the eighth.
Blake Treinen took over for Knebel with two outs and walked Fernando Tatis and Machado before striking out Jake Cronenworth. Kenley Jansen worked around a two-out base hit and walk to convert his 28th save of the season.
L.A. snapped a four-game losing streak to San Diego with their win.
Dodgers expecting Kelly, Betts
Having welcomed back Urias for the series opener, the Dodgers also expect to activate Joe Kelly on Wednesday, and Mookie Betts for the finale against the Padres.
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