Dodgers Edge Padres 8–7 in Thrilling Series Opener

Petco Park, San Diego – On Saturday, August 23, the game was tight. The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 8–7.

The Dodgers struck first and held on despite a late Padres rally. Los Angeles is 73–55, staying a half-game ahead in the NL West. San Diego is now 72–56, trailing by one game in the division.

Shohei Ohtani led the Dodgers with two hits. He scored once, pushing his season totals to 44 home runs and a .285 batting average. Will Smith had two hits and drove in a run. His key hit in the late innings helped secure the win. Manny Machado had an RBI for San Diego. He is still a power threat, with 21 home runs and a .294 average this season.

The Los Angeles starter threw solid innings, and the bullpen stepped up. They held off several comebacks from the Padres. San Diego made a push in the seventh and eighth innings, but they fell short against Los Angeles’s early lead.

The series continues with Game 2 on Sunday night at Petco Park.