YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a statement win, shutting out the San Diego Padres 6–0 to reclaim sole possession of first place in the National League West.
The Padres had several early blunders and could not spark any offensive momentum against dominant Dodgers pitching.
Dylan Cease started for the Padres but struggled from the get-go. The Dodgers drew six walks in the first two innings, and a dropped fly ball by rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill in the second opened the floodgates for Los Angeles.
Cease exited after just 3.1 innings, giving up five runs on four hits and four walks, striking out five batters.
On the other side, former Padre Blake Snell made his first start against San Diego since signing with the Dodgers, and he made it count. The 2023 NL Cy Young winner looked sharp across six shutout inngings, allowing just five hits, two walks and striking out three.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then turned to his bullpen, which delivered three perfect innings to close out the game and preserve the shutout.
The win lifts Los Angeles back into first place in the NL West, breaking a tie with the Padres. San Diego now leads the season series 7-2, but this one belonged entirely to L.A.
The loss drops San Diego into the second wild card spot, half a game behind the Chicago Cubs.
Both teams will be back at it Sunday as the Dodgers look to build ground on their division lead and the Padres try to even the playing field once again.
