Steve Webb
SAN DIEGO, CA — In a disheartening display at Petco Park, the Dodgers let a five-run lead slip away for the third time this month, falling to the Padres 6-5 in extra innings. The Dodgers started strong with a five-run first inning, only to watch their advantage evaporate over the subsequent innings.
The game began with promise for the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani’s walk and subsequent stolen base set the stage for a scoring frenzy. Will Smith singled, sending Ohtani to third, followed by Gavin Lux’s sacrifice fly that brought Ohtani home. Andy Pages’ two-run single and Cavan Biggio’s two-run homer banged off the foul pole to cap off a dominant first inning, giving the Dodgers a comfortable 5-0 lead.
However, the Padres, determined to claw back, began their comeback in the second inning with a solo home run by Manny Machado. By the third inning, the Dodgers’ lead had shrunk to 5-3 after RBI hits from Jurickson Profar and Jake Cronenworth. Despite solid pitching from Tyler Glasnow, who struck out eight over seven innings, the Dodgers couldn’t keep the Padres at bay. Glasnow gave the Dodgers the team’s first quality start in over a month, seemingly putting the team in line for a win. His line for the night 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 8 K.
In the ninth inning, Blake Treinen, tasked with closing the game, faltered. Machado’s second home run of the night and a solo shot by Jackson Merrill tied the game, sending it into extra innings. This marked the third time in July that the Dodgers had squandered a sizable lead, highlighting a worrying trend for the team.
The tenth inning saw the Padres complete their comeback. With Alex Vesia on the mound, the Padres loaded the bases after a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk. Donovan Solano’s pinch-hit single brought Ha-Seong Kim home, sealing the victory for the Padres.
The loss, attributed to Vesia (1-3), underscored the Dodgers’ recent bullpen struggles. In contrast, Robert Suarez (6-1) earned the win for the Padres, who are now third in the NL West with a 58-51 record. The Dodgers’ inability to maintain leads has become a glaring issue as they strive to solidify their position atop the division.
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