Dodgers defeat the Padres in game of the year

What. A. Game.

I don’t even know where to truly begin, so let’s just kick this off at the very beginning, shall we?

The Padres jumped out to the early lead in the second inning. With two runners on and two outs, Luis Campusano (who was hitting below .100 entering the game!) singled in a run to put San Diego on the board first.

LA’s offense was quiet through four innings, only racking up a couple hits. Their biggest hit of the night didn’t come until the fifth inning, when rookie Luke Raley MASHED his first career home run to tie the game. The ball was hit 113.5 mph off his bat, officially making it the hardest hit ball by the Dodgers this season.

After missing the last few weeks with a shoulder injury, Fernando Tatis Jr. was activated off the Injured List ahead of Friday’s game. We’ll be mentioning his name a few times here. He hit a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, putting the Padres back on top, giving them a 2-1 lead.

However, Tatis Jr. giveth, and then he taketh.

In the top half of the sixth, the Padres were one strike away from escaping the inning with the lead. Chris Taylor grounded to Tatis Jr., who made an incredible diving stop to save the grounder from going into the outfield. He quickly turned and threw it to second, making an arrant throw that allowed Max Muncy to score from first.... barely.

The Dodgers offense did some more damage in the eighth inning. Will Smith and Muncy both reached, with Zach McKinstry hitting a double to add on another run for LA, giving them the 5-3 edge. For McKinstry, the rookie continues to absolutely rake. Yes, it’s been two weeks, but he’s a very early Rookie of the Year candidate. Not bad for a 33rd round pick, eh?

Getting the start for LA was Walker Buehler. Although he wasn’t fantastic, he was good enough for the Dodgers. He went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. For the game he had only four strikeouts, but he did have 16 whiffs. There were multiple occasions on the night where the Padres could have added more runs, but Buehler was able to escape the jams every time.

Corey Knebel pitched in the eighth with a two-run lead, but he had his first blip of the season. He allowed two runs to score, letting the Padres tie the game at five a piece. Kenley Jansen was called upon with two outs and two runners on base. He came up in the clutch, issuing a groundout and sending the game to the ninth all tied up.

Mookie Betts led off the top of the ninth with a single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice from Corey Seager. With the go-ahead runner on second, Turner stepped up to the plate. Just as he’s done all season, he delivered in the clutch. He singled to center field, bringing in the go-ahead run, putting the Dodgers in the lead, 6-5.

Jansen returned for the ninth inning and was one strike away from winning the game. He walked Manny Machado, and then Machado (who by the way, said he wasn’t Johnny Hustle while with the Dodgers) became Rickey Henderson on the bases. He stole second and advanced to third on a ball in the dirt. With two strikes to Eric Hosmer, he singled to even the score at six, sending the game to extras.

The Dodgers didn’t do anything in the 10th, sending it to the bottom half of the inning tied up. Dennis Santana got the ball in the 10th, and had the bases loaded with two outs. His prize? Tatis Jr. Santana, who has thrived in extra innings over the years, struck him out to escape the jam.

The 11th was the same, as the Dodgers did nothing at the plate. David Price got the ball in the bottom half of the inning, throwing a scoreless frame to send it to the 12th.

This is when the bats woke up and the Dodgers put their foot on the gas. They scored five runs, putting the game out of reach for San Diego. Corey Seager led off the inning with a go-ahead two-run homer, putting the Dodgers ahead 8-6. The runs didn’t stop there.

Turner and Chris Taylor reached base, and then McKinstry drove in a run with a single. Raley then brought in a run with a single, and Price (!!!) brought in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Price went back out there in the 12th and threw a scoreless inning, securing the win for the Dodgers, 11-6.

WHAT A GAME!!!!!

Friday/Saturday particulars

WP: David Price (1-0) 2 IP, 0 ER, 4 SO

LP: Tim Hill (0-2) 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 3 ER

HR: Luke Raley (1) Fernando Tatis Jr. (2) Corey Seager (2)

Box score