NLDS: Dodgers Outlast Padres in Game One

The Dodgers celebrating a run against the Padres

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

October 5, 2024

Dodgers 7, Padres 5

The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame two multi-run deficits to defeat the San Diego Padres, 7–5, Saturday night at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Key hits included a three-run homer by Shohei Ohtani and a two-run single by Teoscar Hernandez.

“The first inning wasn’t ideal as far as striking first,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in the postgame press conference. “But it was good for us to show some resilience, take a blow, and respond the way we did. And even to tie the ball game up and give up two more and then to continue to fight back really speaks to the character of this group.”

Dodgers – Padres Game Summary

The Padres took a 3–0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI groundout by Jurickson Profar and a two-run homer by Manny Machado. That lead lasted into the bottom of the second, when Ohtani launched his three-run homer well beyond the right-field fence. It became a 5–3 game in the top of the third thanks to a two-run double by Xander Bogaerts. The Dodgers narrowed the deficit to 5–4 in the bottom of the fourth when Tommy Edman scored from third on a bases-loaded wild pitch by reliever Adrian Morejon. Two batters later, with the bases loaded once again, Hernandez gave the Dodgers the lead for good with his two-run single. The 6–5 lead stretched to 7–5 in the bottom of the fifth, when Will Smith scored from third on a double-play groundout by Tommy Edman.

What Went Right for the Padres

Took Two Early Leads

The Padres took a 3–0 lead in the first and a 5–3 lead in the third. In the first inning, they forced Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to throw 28 pitches. The high first-inning pitch count led to the Padres knocking Yamamoto out of the game after the third inning.

Pitched Well after the Fourth

After the fourth, the Padres held the Dodgers to two hits and two walks, one of which was intentional. This kept them within striking distance the whole way.

What Went Wrong for the Padres

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Starting Pitching

Starting pitcher Dylan Cease threw 32 pitches in the second and 22 pitches in the first. There were signs of overall ineffectiveness. He allowed five runs on six hits, including the Ohtani homer, across 3 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out five.

The Fourth Inning

Eight Dodgers came to bat in the bottom of the fourth. Four singles, combined with an intentional walk and a wild pitch, led to three runs in the inning. The Padres never recovered.

Runners Left in Scoring Position

Of the eight runners the Padres left on base, five were in scoring position. This included leaving a runner on third in the top of the fourth, which kept them from extending their 5–3 lead, and leaving the bases loaded in the eighth.

What Went Right for the Dodgers

Big Days from Ohtani and Hernandez

Shohei Ohtani, in his first career postseason game this side of the Pacific, went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Teoscar Hernandez, in his first postseason appearance with the Dodgers, went 1-for-4 with the go-ahead two-run single.

Overcame Two Early Deficits

The Dodgers fell behind by three runs in the first before Ohtani tied the game with his homer. They fell behind again by two in the third before rattling off four unanswered runs, three in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Relief Pitching

Ryan Brasier, Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen tossed six innings of scoreless relief to save the game for the Dodgers. They held the Padres to two hits and four walks while striking out seven.

Defensive Gems

Shortstop Miguel Rojas made a difficult over-the-shoulder basket catch in shallow left field in the eighth, robbing Xander Bogaerts of a single that would have loaded the bases for Jake Cronenworth.

Second baseman Gavin Lux made a diving catch to his left for the second out in the ninth inning. This robbed Luis Arraez of a sure single with the meat of the Padres’ order coming up.

What Went Wrong for the Dodgers

Starting Pitching

Yamamoto struggled his way through his three innings. He allowed five runs on five hits, including the Machado homer. Additionally, he walked two, uncorked a wild pitch, and only struck out one.

Late-inning Walks

Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen combined to walk the bases loaded in the eighth before Treinen escaped the mess. Treinen also walked the tying run on base with Machado coming to the plate.

Runners Left in Scoring Position

Half of the Dodgers’ eight runners left on base were in scoring position.

Quotes

“I thought we had some good at-bats, had some traffic out there. Had the go-ahead run at the plate late in the last inning. Our offense has been good all year. … We got Yamamoto out of there early. Their bullpen came in, did the job. We just weren’t able to get the big blow.” — Padres manager Mike Shildt

“I talked about this for a few weeks. We need to fight. And that’s what we did tonight. We didn’t get an ideal start. But guys in the pen picked us up, and the offense was relentless with their at-bats.” — Dave Roberts

Looking Ahead

Ryan Brasier earned the win, and Adrian Morejon took the loss, both in relief. Blake Treinen notched the save.

The Dodgers and Padres will play Game Two of this best-of-five series Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. Right-hander Yu Darvish (7–3, 3.31 ERA in 2024 regular season) will take the hill for the Padres against Dodgers right-hander and mid-season acquisition Jack Flaherty (13–7, 3.17 ERA in 2024 regular season). First pitch will be at 5:03 pm Pacific on FS1.