San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish works against a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 12, 2024, in San Diego.
10:24 JST, May 13, 2024
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish gave up two hits in seven dominant innings to lead the San Diego Padres to a 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth and Xander Bogaerts hit solo home runs for the Padres, who have won five of eight games against the Dodgers this season.
“They were really unpredictable. Part of that is attacking our hitters’ weaknesses while playing to their strengths,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But I really think they just fit together well and they were executed. Obviously they stepped up to play us, and they played well.”
The Dodgers dropped two of three games in the series after a seven-game winning streak.
The Padres have won four straight series.
“It means that we can play good baseball at the highest level,” Tatis said. “This series was as clean as possible for us.”
Darvish (3-1) struck out seven and walked one in an outstanding performance that lowered his ERA to 2.43. He has thrown 18 consecutive scoreless innings, tying a career record.
“The plan was to see how they responded on the pitches. The fastball came out good and worked well,” Darvish said. “Obviously they are a very good team, but to be able to play the series against them it will definitely give us some confidence for the future.”
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish works against a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 12, 2024, in San Diego.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler (0-1), pitching in his second game this season, had an ineffective and short outing. He gave up two runs, five hits, two walks and hit a batter in 3 1/3 innings.
“I’m not going to attach much importance to two trips. I think it’s a good thing to get him back here, back in competitive mode, and I think it’s a good thing,” Roberts said. “My trust and faith in him has not wavered at all.”
Buehler surrendered consecutive home runs to Tatis and Cronenworth in the first inning for a 2-0 Padres lead. Bogaerts’ solo homer came in the fifth off reliever Gus Varland to give the Padres a 4-0 lead.
“It felt nice, you finally hit one that you know was gone,” said Bogaerts. “We play really good baseball at home.”
Cronenworth’s home run was initially ruled in-game because it appeared the ball hit the top of the wall or just behind it and then bounced back into the field. Cronenworth made a home run trot around the bases and, to his surprise, was tagged out at third. But after the Padres challenged the play, it was overturned and a home run was ruled.
“I wasn’t confused,” Cronenworth said when asked if he knew it was a home run. “I saw him go over the wall and then kick back.”
The weekend’s attendance of 133,970 set a three-game attendance record in Petco Park’s 20-year history. The previous three-game series record of 133,856, set in April 2022, was also against the Dodgers.
“Unbelievable. This place is special,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt. “This is a baseball town.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: According to Roberts, DH Shohei Ohtani was left out of the starting lineup on Sunday as a precaution. Ohtani left Saturday night’s game with back tightness after his fourth at-bat. Will Smith moved to DH and backup Austin Barnes played catcher. Ohtani was available from the bench, but did not play. … OF Jason Heyward (lower back tightness), who is on the 10-day IL, attended live batting practice Friday and Saturday. He will go on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he will play Monday and Tuesday.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani blows dirt out of his helmet while standing at first base after a walk during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, May 11, 2024, in San Diego.
NEXT ONE
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (4-1, 2.79) will start Monday evening in the opener of a three-game series at the San Francisco Giants.
