Dodgers Take Out the Brooms and Sweep New and Improved Padres
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The San Diego Padres traveled to LA taking on the Dodgers in a three game series over the weekend; following the tragic passing of Dodgers legendary commentator Vin Scully. While the Padres added four big names at the All Star break, including a widely known generational talent in Juan Soto. The Dodgers spoiled the fun, bringing out the broom with ease.
With the Padres trailing the Dodgers by a rather large 12.5 game margin in the National League West, they looked to close the gap and assert that they belong within the top half of the division.
Game: 1
The Dodgers rolled out Tony Gonsolin on Friday night, who has been surprisingly dominant all year long; sporting a 12-1 record.
Gonsolin continued that dominance, shutting out the Padres through five. On the other hand, Padres starting pitcher Sean Manaea got shelled for eight earned runs through just four innings. Game one was a complete disaster for the newly improved Padres roster, as the Dodgers blanked them 8-1.
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Game: 2
Saturday afternoon was not much of a difference, as the Dodgers put up another eight runs on the board.
Mike Clevinger, who was dealing through four and two thirds, was left out there for one batter too long; and Max Muncy made the Padres manager pay by hitting a three run shot to take the lead in the fifth inning. The Dodgers never looked back after that, blanking the Padres yet again by the score of 8-3.
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Game: 3
Sunday rolled around, as the Dodgers hoped to pull out the brooms for a three game sweep during prime time baseball on ESPN.
Cody Bellinger started the party with a solo shot off Yu Darvish in the bottom of the 3rd. (Not to mention the commentators were simultaneously interviewing Juan Soto). It didn’t stop there for Bellinger, as he hit another solo bomb in the bottom of the 7th; leading the Dodgers to a 4-0 win behind a shut out by Tyler Anderson to complete the three game sweep.
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Amidst the new hype and buzz surrounding the acquisitions of Juan Soto, Josh Bell, Brandon Drury and Josh Hader. The Dodgers spoiled the fun, holding the Padres to an embarrassing four runs over the three game series.
The Padres now stand a firm 15.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West Division, and look to turn around their season by facing the San Fransisco Giants in a three game series at Petco Park. Padres fans stand tall with hope that Fernando Tatis Jr -who recently started his rehab assignment- can add the necessary spark to push the Padres playoff hopes in 2022.