Padres hold on for 5-3 win over Dodgers in Game 2, even NLDS 1-1
The San Diego Padres held on for a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, evening up the best-of-five National League Division Series at 1-1.
Both offenses were clicking early on Wednesday night. The Padres and Dodgers combined for six runs over the first three innings of Game 2.
Third baseman Manny Machado got the scoring started, as he homered in the top of the first to give the Padres an early lead.
Not to be outdone, Dodgers star Freddie Freeman blasted a home run in the bottom of the first to tie it up at 1-1.
In the bottom of the second, Max Muncy had a homer of his own, giving the Dodgers their first (and only) lead of the night at 2-1.
The third inning was exciting for both sides. In the top of the third, Machado doubled to bring Ha-Seong Kim home and send Juan Soto to third. Jake Cronenworth grounded out to first, Soto scored and sent Machado to third, and the Padres took a 3-2 lead.
A home run from Trea Turner would tie it up, and the teams sat deadlocked 3-3 heading into the fourth inning. In the sixth, still tied 3-3, Jurickson Profar put the Padres ahead, singling home Cronenworth to give the Friars a 4-3 advantage.
The Dodgers chased Padres starter Yu Darvish in the bottom of the sixth after Will Smith and Muncy led off the inning with back-to-back singles. However, Robert Suarez closed the door for San Diego, striking out Justin Turner before forcing Gavin Lux to ground into a double play, ending the Dodgers' threat.
Suarez denied another Dodgers rally in the bottom of the seventh, helping the Padres hold onto a one-run lead.
In the top of the eighth, the Padres added some insurance when Cronenworth pulled a Blake Treinen pitch down the right-field line for a long, majestic home run, giving the Padres a two-run advantage at 5-3.
Padres manager Bob Melvin decided to go with closer Josh Hader with two outs in the eighth, and the All-Star closed the door, securing a four-out save and a Game 2 victory for San Diego.
Darvish earned the win on the mound, going 5.0 innings, allowing three earned runs off seven hits while striking out seven. Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw took the loss for the Dodgers after allowing three earned runs off six hits through 5.0 innings of work.
The series now swings to San Diego for Games 3 and 4. The Padres will host the Dodgers for Game 3 on Friday at 8:37 p.m. ET.
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