The Dodgers wrapped a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Sunday with an exciting extra-innings win at Petco Park.
The Friars took the first game 5-2 on Friday night, and despite some efforts to rile the Boys in Blue over the weekend, LA rallied and won Saturday night 2-1 in a very close game. Though Padres fans were visibly (and verbally) upset, the Dodgers took ‘The High Road,’ as many have come to expect from the 140-year-old franchise.
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts shared his perspective with AM570’s David Vassegh about some of the opposing team’s antics ranging from home run celebrations to classless scoreboard images – on National television, no less.
“That’s tactics to get under our skin, make us act out of character,” Betts stated. “We’re the ones that determine the outcome of the game.”
Fast forward to Sunday when the Padres struck early. Dodgers starter Julio Urias did his best to limit the damage to the two initial runs from the first inning. Dodgers catcher Will Smith helped by driving in a run in the top of the sixth to cut San Diego’s lead in half, 2-1.
After leaving runners in scoring position in multiple instances (they went 3-for-24 [.125] in the three-game series), the Dodgers last chance to salvage the game came in the top of the ninth inning with two outs. Betts smashed his sixth home run of the season to left-center field to reset the game.
Now tied at 2-2, and with the Padres unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, the game went into extra innings.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was the placed runner at second. In yet another two-out situation in the top of the tenth inning, rookie designated hitter Michael Busch came up and singled to bring Freeman in and give Los Angeles their first lead of the game.
When asked about his contribution after the game, Busch answered: “It’s pretty sweet to help this team get a win, especially in a place like this.”
Another rookie, Dodgers outfielder James Outman, who is having a breakout season, settled in at the plate before crushing his eighth home run of the season to right field. By driving in two more runs, he was able to pad the Blue Crew’s lead to 5-2.
Dodgers’ reliever Evan Phillips managed to keep the lid on the game with the Padres’ heavy hitters due up in the bottom of the tenth. Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. flied-out, third baseman Manny Machado struck out, and left fielder Juan Soto grounded out to seal the Dodgers win while also taking their first series of the season.
“They are our energy bugs,” six-time All-Star Betts told Vassegh of the Dodgers rookies.
This was LA’s first extra innings game of the year, and they ultimately handled the whole weekend with grace. Between Betts resetting the game and two of the rookies stepping up and securing the lead, Dodgers fans had a lot to cheer about Sunday evening.
Here’s to the Dodgers – and their fans – continuing to keep it classy and continuing to take ‘The High Road!’