Third baseman Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields a baseball and throws out Manny Machado (not pictured) of the San Diego Padres in the second inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run offer starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres blows a bubble against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the pate against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting solo home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Right fielder Jose Azocar #28 of the San Diego Padres can’t react a solo home run by Will Smith (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting solo home run off starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives third base coach Dino Ebel after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a solo home run against the p in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the pate against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run offer starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting solo home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting solo home run off starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run offer starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers forces out Jose Azocar #28 of the San Diego Padres at second base in the third inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres throws the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers doubles against the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Baseball fans look on from the reserve level MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waits for a reliever after pulling starting pitcher Tyler Anderson (not pictured) out of the game against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is out art first base as First baseman Francisco Cervelli #45 of the San Diego Padres catches the ball in the third inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
right fielder Jose Azocar #28 of the San Diego Padres drops a ball by Freddie Freeman (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Centerfielder Trent Grisham #2 of the San Diego Padres catches a fly ball by Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in front of rightfielder Jose Azocar #28 of the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers on deck against the San Diego Padres in the third inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jake Lamb #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his RBI double against the San Diego Padres in the third inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Right fielder Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields a double by Jurickson Profar (not pictured) of the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol #48 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Baseball fans look on from the reserve level MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammates in the dugout after being pulled from the game against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
in the xxx inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Baseball fans look on in the seventh inning during a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammates after a RBI sac fly against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Ray Kerr #56 of the San Diego Padres throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Belts of the Los Angeles Dodgers works out in the infield prior to a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Belts of the Los Angeles Dodgers talks to the media prior to a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Belts of the Los Angeles Dodgers works out in the infield prior to a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Reporters are reflected in the eyes of Mookie Belts of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he talks to the media prior to a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES ― Yu Darvish has made four appearances here since he last pitched for the Dodgers. The first three were typical: lots of strikeouts, not a lot of runs allowed. The fourth, on Saturday, went a lot like Game 7 of the 2017 World Series did for the 35-year-old right-hander.
By the end of one inning, the Dodgers had hit three home runs and just missed another. By the time Darvish left the game, the San Diego Padres were trailing by five runs. The Dodgers’ 7-2 win was deja vu for the announced crowd of 47,061.
Freddie Freeman and Will Smith hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the span of three pitches. The next batter, Max Muncy, turned on a first-pitch cutter and flew out to the warning track in right-center field. Justin Turner then struck an 0-and-1 fastball into the short section of seats in left field, his third home run in three days.
That proved to be all the offense the Dodgers needed. Tyler Anderson (9-1) rebounded from a pair of subpar starts to throw 6⅓ innings and allow only one run. A couple of late insurance runs allowed the Dodgers (49-28) to rest closer Craig Kimbrel and top set-up man Evan Phillips, both of whom had appeared in back-to-back games.
“It just shows what we’re capable of,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “When we take team at-bats, good situationally, run counts, get into the ’pen, good things happen. I’m really excited about the way we’re playing.”
Three straight wins against the second-place Padres (46-34) have expanded the Dodgers’ lead in the National League West to 4½ games.
Freeman went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Gavin Lux doubled in the second inning and scored on a Trea Turner single. Justin Turner singled in the third inning and scored on a double by Jake Lamb, who was serving as the designated hitter against the right-handed Darvish (7-4).
Darvish, who didn’t make it out of the second inning in losing the decisive World Series game to the Houston Astros, was torched for five runs in six innings while striking out 10.
Anderson allowed six hits, no hard-hit balls, and walked two batters. It was his first start at Dodger Stadium since taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Angels on June 15; a scoring change days later reclassified a Dodgers error as an Angels hit.
In Anderson’s next two starts – in Cincinnati and Colorado, both hitter-friendly parks – the left-hander would allow seven earned runs across 11 innings. Saturday’s win lowered his ERA for the season to 3.09: 2.74 at home, 3.46 on the road.
“I’ve pitched a lot in Coors Field too, and overall I feel like I’ve done OK there,” Anderson said. “I think if you’re making good pitches it doesn’t really matter where you pitch. There’s probably a little more margin for error (at Dodger Stadium) but I don’t think that this park – you saw it today – in day games the ball flies here. I think in night games, as you get later into the night, it’s more pitcher-friendly, but overall it’s a fair park to pitch in.”
Dodgers right fielder Chris Taylor was removed from the game with a contusion on his right foot, the apparent result of an errant foul ball. Roberts said x-rays were negative but he would give Taylor the day off Sunday as a precaution.
The Dodgers have won 14 of the last 15 head-to-head games between the teams going into the finale of the four-game series.
With two runners on and two outs in the seventh inning, Manny Machado battled Dodgers pitcher Brusdar Graterol to a seven-pitch at-bat. Machado ultimately foul-tipped the last pitch, a 101-mph sinker, into the mitt of catcher Will Smith for strike three, ending the inning and elating the crowd.
The Dodgers then loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning on three walks. Sacrifice flies by Max Muncy and Justin Turner extended the lead to 7-1.
“When you have points on the board to cushion the lead, to get sac flies, Max moving us all over to get another point on the board, that’s huge,” Freeman said. “The situational hitting the last couple days has been pretty phenomenal.”
