Padres 4, Dodgers 1: Eric Lauer dismantles the Dodgers, home runs seal the deal

“It’s the Dodgers, man. Nobody likes the Dodgers.” - Eric ‘Dodger Destroyer’ Lauer.

The Padres bounced back in a thoroughly enjoyable game 2 against the Dodgers for their 4-game home series. That was thanks to dominate Padres pitching and a very bountiful homer-filled 5th inning for the Friars offense.

Lauer was fully dealing tonight, throwing a near-complete game and giving up only a single run. The only run came on the final out of the the top of the 9th, a solo HR well after the Padres had pushed ahead with a decent lead. For 8 ²⁄₃ innings before that, Lauer had struck out 8 from the LA lineup and only allowed 4 hits and 2 walks. He ended the night 4 pitches short of 100.

Thanks to Lauer’s dominance, it took Kirby Yates a single strikeout to punch the Dodgers out and notch the win. Part of that win came from a 4-run 5th inning as the Padres beat up on Rich Hill. Both Wil Myers and Austin Hedges went yard, Myers hitting his 8th and Hedges hitting his 4th HR of the season. Not to be forgotten, Eric Hosmer had a soft home run robbed in the bottom of the fourth.

But Hedges’ shot to left was a no-doubter and drove home Jose Pirela and Freddy Galvis, putting the Pads up 3-0. Myers’ homer carried just over the wall into left center and marked his 6th home run in just four games. Dude must have switched back over to west coast Mexican food.

Paired with some stellar defense from Margot diving all over center field, the Padres secured the W with ease. It marks the 40th win of the season, finally, and splits the 4-game series against Los Angeles.

Joey Lucchesi will take the mound tomorrow against Kenta Maeda at 7:10 PM.