Dodgers Recap: Casparius Solid, Hernández Clutch as Dodgers Take Finale
Game 69, 6/11/25: Dodgers 5, Padres 2
SAN DIEGO – The Dodgers closed out their three-game series against the San Diego Padres with a hard-fought 5-2 win in Wednesday’s finale at Petco Park, relying on an eight-pitcher bullpen game and key contributions from all three outfielders to swing the game in their favor.
Instead of Justin Wrobleski as had been previously announced, Ben Casparius got the start for Los Angeles and turned in a solid outing, going four innings while allowing three hits, one earned run, two walks, and striking out two. Typically used out of the bullpen, Casparius is now being transitioned into more of a starting or spot-starting role. With the Dodgers navigating a wave of injuries, the 26-year-old has emerged as a potential contributor capable of providing valuable innings.
One of the game’s defensive highlights came in the bottom of the second, when the first outfielder stepped up. Andy Pages unleashed a 99 MPH throw from center field to gun down Gavin Sheets at home plate, preserving a 1-0 deficit and keeping Casparius’ line intact.
In the top of the fifth, it was outfielder number two’s chance to shine. Michael Conforto tied the game at 1-1 with an opposite-field solo homer, his fourth of the season. Though he’s struggled mightily all season, there are positive signs for Conforto. In his last fifteen games, the Dodgers’ left fielder has hit two home runs with an OPS north of .700. While nobody’s going to be bowled over by those stats, they are better than the horror show of April and May.
When Casparius exited after four innings, Lou Trivino took over in the fifth, striking out one in a scoreless frame. It would be that one rather nondescript frame that would be good enough to get Trivino the win in this one.
The Dodgers broke through at the top of the sixth and broke the tie for good. Reliever Adrian Morejon started off the inning with a strikeout of Mookie Betts, but when Freddie Freeman singled on a comebacker that was deflected off Morejon, his day was over.
Next San Diego pitcher Jeremiah Estrada walked Will Smith, and there was a little bit of a Dodgers rally brewing. Then, Teoscar Hernández launched a three-run homer, putting Los Angeles ahead 4-1. The home run was sorely needed by Hernandez, who had been hitting about as well as Michael Conforto of late. Entering the ball game on Wednesday, Hernandez had seen his batting average slip from over .300 on May 30 to just .262 barely ten days later. No bueno. But Estrada gave Teo a pitch to his liking and he just blasted it to center field, a 425 foot jack that gave the Dodgers the lead.
The Padres answered with a sacrifice fly from Gavin Sheets in the bottom half of the inning, trimming the Dodgers’ lead to 4-2. San Diego threatened again in the seventh after Michael Kopech struggled with his command and walked the bases loaded with just one out. But reliever Anthony Banda escaped the jam, thanks to a pop-up and a clutch defensive assist from Mookie Betts to end the inning.
Tanner Scott handled the eighth with a clean inning, and Alex Vesia shut the door in the ninth to earn his third save of the season. With the 5-2 victory, the Dodgers secured the series win and wrapped up their 3-3 road trip on a strong note.
Los Angeles returns home to an off day on Thursday. Then, it’s back to Dodger Stadium on Friday to begin a series against the San Francisco Giants. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to start, with the first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. PDT. It’s home cooking for ten straight games: three with the Giants, four with these same Padres, and three more with Nats. Plenty of good seats still available. See you at the Ravine!
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