Manny Machado delivered a stunning performance with three hits and five RBIs, while Luis Arraez contributed three hits and scored four times, leading the San Diego Padres to a decisive 11-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. The Padres took advantage of the Dodgers’ pitching struggles, stemming from a lengthy list of injuries affecting their roster.
Dylan Cease (2-5) shone on the mound for the Padres, fanning 11 batters and allowing just three hits over seven scoreless innings, effectively ending his 11-start winless streak. The outcome was a stark contrast to the prior day’s nail-biting encounter where the Dodgers narrowly edged the Padres 8-7 in 10 innings.
The Dodgers, facing a depleted pitching staff with 14 players on the injured list, turned to Matt Sauer (1-1), who was called up from the minors to eat innings. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, Sauer struggled, surrendering nine runs on 13 hits while throwing 111 pitches. Utility player Kiké Hernández took the mound for the last 2 1/3 innings, allowing only one earned run but not exceeding 57 mph on his pitches.
The Padres capitalized on this pitching mismatch, particularly with a rally in the third inning that began with a walk from Fernando Tatís Jr., leading to Arraez’s double and Machado’s subsequent single that extended his hitting streak to eight games. Highlighting the offensive barrage, Martín Maldonado contributed the club’s only homer, while Xander Bogaerts and Jackson Merrill also added crucial RBIs.
The Padres aim to maintain momentum as they prepare for the next matchup, with Randy Vásquez (3-4, 3.69 ERA) set to face Justin Wrobleski (1-2, 7.20) of the struggling Dodgers’ rotation, which is also grappling with various injuries.
This victory not only showcases the Padres’ resilience but also uplifts their spirits in the face of stiff competition this season, signaling potential for future success as they continue to navigate a challenging rivalry.