Dodgers can’t overcome Padres late power surge

The Padres showed some muscle Friday night, powering out three solo homers off Dodgers’ pitching to take the series opener by the score of 4-3. Jose Pirela crushed a Ross Stripling pitch in the eighth inning to give the Padres the lead they wouldn’t surrender.

It was the 15th time the Dodgers have allowed three or more long balls in a game this season, matching their total from a year ago.

Manuel Margot did the bulk of the damage with two homers on the night. The 23-year-old took Rich Hill deep in the third inning and demolished a Ross Stripling offering in the seventh. Both home runs off the bat of Margot erased a Dodgers lead to tie the game.

The Dodgers had chances all night against Padres’ starter Clayton Richard. The lefty allowed 14 baserunners in six innings of work and the Dodgers were only able to score three.

The frustrating part of the night for the Dodgers came in the third inning when they loaded the bases with nobody out. Down 2-1, Cody Bellinger smacked his second RBI-single of the night to tie the game at two apiece.

Logan Forsythe would then ground back to the pitcher for a 1-2-3 double play and the Padres would get out of the jam two batters later without any further damage.

The Dodgers would actually breakthrough for a lead in the fifth inning when Austin Barnes doubled home Bellinger.

Scary Moment

Rich Hill was able to make it through six innings despite taking a 92-mph fastball to the throat area while trying to bunt. It was amazing he didn’t go straight to the hospital, let alone pitch two more scoreless frames after.

The Dodger lefty would strike out nine Padres over six innings, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks. This is the first Dodgers loss in a Hill start since June 26.

Hill was taken to the hospital for precautionary x-rays and they came back negative.

Up next

The Dodgers and Padres will tangle again Saturday night when Hyun-jin Ryu (4-6, 3.53) takes the mound against Jhoulys Chacin (11-8, 4.15).

Friday particulars

Home runs: Manuel Margot 2 (12), Jose Pirela (8)

WP - Jose Torres (6-3): 1.2 IP, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

LP - Ross Stripling (1-4): 2 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts

SV - Brad Hand (27): 1.1 IP, 3 strikeouts