The Los Angeles Dodgers were leading the San Diego Padres by a run heading into the seventh inning of the series finale in San Diego, on Sunday Afternoon. Brusdar Graterol was activated from the IL and came in to pitch the seventh after Trevor Bauer had finished the sixth. Both Blake Snell and Bauer had strong outings. Snell completed five innings of two-hit, two-run baseball, with seven strikeouts against two walks. Bauer went six-full and gave up two hits, one walk that appeared to be strike-three, and one run while striking out six. Neither Pitcher would factor into the decision.
Bauer’s quality outing was erased immediately in the seventh when Graterol gave up a single to Manny Machado followed by an RBI double to Eric Hosmer, the first two batters he faced. Graterol got the next two batters out before walking one and getting replaced by Scott Alexander. Alexander got Wil Myers out on two pitches and came back out for the eighth.
Jurikson Profar reached on a throwing error by Corey Seager, and Jake Cronenworth popped out. However, Cronenworth completed the mandatory minimum of three batters and Dennis Santana came in to replace Alexander. That move proved to be a mistake. He walked Fernando Tatis Jr. to put runners on first and second, then gave up a single and a double. The damage was done. The eighth ended with a score of Padres five, Dodgers two, which was the eventual final score.
First Padres vs Dodgers Series Match-up
This series between the Padres and Dodgers has been one of the most highly-anticipated in baseball. It is very difficult to live up to the hype of being ranked as the top two teams in the sport, however, this one did. There was excellent pitching, clutch plays, exploitation of weaknesses, and good, intense baseball. The results may not have been what Padres fans wanted or expected, but the Padres certainly proved that they belong in the conversation of contenders. They were able to hang blow-for-blow with the mighty Dodgers to the end, and even rally late and beat them. Further, they snapped the Dodgers’ eight-game winning streak that included sweeps of the Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies. We will not have to wait long for the next series between these two contenders. The Padres will be at Dodgers Stadium Thursday-Sunday for a four-game set. Let the excitement continue.
“Main Photo”
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Players Mentioned:
Brusdar Graterol, Trevor Bauer, Blake Snell, Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer, Scott Alexander, Wil Myers, Jurikson Profar, Corey Seager, Jake Cronenworth, Dennis Santana, Fernando Tatis Jr.
