Dodgers explode in the 12th, outlast Padres 11-6

The Padres played the Dodgers to a standstill through 11 entertaining innings before Los Angeles’ Corey Seager launched a two-run homer over the right field fence, notching the team’s first of five total runs scored in the 12th inning and creating the eventual insurmountable distance to put the game out of reach at 11-6.

By the end of game, the Padres had actually ran out of relievers and second baseman Jake Cronenworth was forced into spot duty. A former college closer at Michigan, Cron recorded the final two outs of the 12th, including striking out Mookie Betts

Friday night’s marathon was about as classic of a baseball as you’d expect between two talented divisional rivals. By the end of regulation, there were seven different ties or lead changes. In all, the game ended a little after midnight with a official play time of four hours and 57 minutes.

In his first game back off the IL, Fernando Tatis Jr. finished one-of-six at the plate with a solo home run that gave the Padres a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. In extra innings, he was given an opportune chance to win it for San Diego as the bases became loaded in the bottom of the 10th with two outs on the board. Unfortunately, El Nino struck out looking on a slider that hit almost dead center of the zone.

Ryan Weathers completed just under four innings in his first professional regular season start for the Padres. He finished with three strikeouts, two walks, and a hit allowed. Nine of the 10 pitchers used recorded at least one strikeout while Keone Kela fanned a pair in the sixth. Tim Hill took over in the 11th where he retired three-straight batters to quickly get the Friars back on offense. He was back on the mound to hopefully close the game out in the 12th but allowed Seager’s homer on his first pitch of the inning

Two singles later and a fielding error by Tatis loaded the bases with only one out on the board. The Dodgers scored three more runs before it was all said done, forcing the Padres into the use of Cronenworth on the mound which also moved Jurickson Profar to second with Joe Musgrove holding down left field.

The Padres went three-up, three-down to close out the 12th.

Profar led San Diego with a pair of RBIs while Tatis, Eric Hosmer, and Luis Campusano each recorded another.

Left fielder Luke Raley, second baseman Zach McKinstry, and Seager all recorded two RBIs for Los Angeles. Dodgers starter Walker Buehler worked six innings and struck out four. Veteran David Price pitched the game’s final two innings and also struck out four while allowing zero hits.

Game two of the series begins a little earlier this evening at 5:50 p.m. Prepare for a marquee pitching matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish.