Padres Break Dodgers Streak
Manny Machado Homers as Padres End Eight-Game Losing Streak Against Dodgers
The San Diego Padres ended an eight-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-2 win on Sunday. Manny Machado hit a three-run home run, and JP Sears threw five scoreless innings to power the victory, according to Reuters.
The win also saved San Diego from a four-game sweep. It was the Padres' longest losing streak against the Dodgers since 2013, ABC7 reported.
Machado's Homer Breaks the Streak Open
Manny Machado's three-run blast was the decisive blow of the game. Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. each added RBI singles to round out San Diego's offense, according to Newsday. The Padres scored five runs in total while holding Los Angeles to just two.
JP Sears was sharp on the mound. He held the Dodgers scoreless through five innings, giving the bullpen a strong foundation to work with. Los Angeles managed only two runs on the night, Reuters reported.
Manager and Coach Ejected Three Pitches Into the Game
The game got heated almost immediately. Manager Craig Stammen and infield coach Ryan Goins were both ejected just three pitches in, according to New York Post. The ejections came after an argument over a check swing call against Fernando Tatis Jr.
Despite losing their manager so early, the Padres stayed focused. The early drama appeared to fire up the team rather than derail them. San Diego went on to play a clean, disciplined game the rest of the way.
Ohtani Returns but Dodgers' Bats Stay Cold
Shohei Ohtani returned to the lineup after missing time with biceps soreness. He contributed an RBI single, as did Alex Freeland. But two RBI singles were not enough to overcome San Diego's pitching, Reuters reported.
The loss was only Los Angeles' third in their last 13 games. The Dodgers still hold a commanding 14-game lead in the National League West. Despite the defeat, they remain the class of the division by a wide margin.
Padres Avoid Sweep, End Their Longest Recent Slide
Sunday's win was a much-needed boost for San Diego. The eight-game skid against Los Angeles was the team's worst such streak since 2013, according to Houston Chronicle. Avoiding the four-game sweep gave the Padres some momentum heading forward.
The Padres showed resilience by winning despite losing their manager before the game really got started. Machado's home run and Sears' pitching gave San Diego exactly what they needed. It was a complete team effort on both sides of the ball, Seattle PI noted.
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