LOS ANGELES — On an evening celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with fireworks looming over Chavez Ravine, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a performance worthy of the vacation stage.
The Dodgers’ ace overpowered the Padres for seven scoreless innings, placing out 10 whereas permitting simply three hits, because the Dodgers blanked the Padres, 3-0, Saturday night time at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium.
With the victory, the Dodgers improved to 59-31 and have captured the primary three video games of this four-game sequence. They now personal a commanding 15-game lead over the Padres within the National League West and can go for the sweep Sunday behind Emmet Sheehan.
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Yamamoto appeared each bit just like the All-Star he was just lately named.
The right-hander threw 100 pitches, ending his night time along with his tenth strikeout earlier than strolling calmly again to the dugout after seven dominant innings. He improved to 9-5 on the season after holding the Padres scoreless.
“It’s been such an honor to be selected on that All-Star team,” Yamamoto mentioned. “This year I feel more meaningful and happiness.”
Dave Roberts liked the aggressive mindset his ace dropped at the mound.
“He looked like an All-Star,” Roberts mentioned. “He came out with a purpose.”
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The Dodgers gave Yamamoto an early cushion within the third inning.
Newly introduced All-Star starter Andy Pages continued his breakout season by lining an RBI single to left discipline, scoring Dalton Rushing for a 1-0 lead. Pages’ choice to begin the Midsummer Classic has been a degree of delight contained in the clubhouse.
Los Angeles Dodgers middle fielder Andy Pages (44) hits a RBI single within the third inning towards the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers middle fielder Andy Pages (44) hits a RBI single within the third inning towards the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
Freddie Freeman believes the popularity is overdue.
“It should be a second, I think,” Freeman mentioned of Pages’ first All-Star choice. “He should have had it last year, and he’s been great for a couple years now. So, I’m glad he’s getting the recognition. I’m glad the fans are gonna get to see him in Philadelphia.”
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One run was all Yamamoto wanted, however Freeman made certain the margin grew.
Leading off the sixth inning, Freeman crushed his fifteenth dwelling run of the season into the right-field pavilion off Kyle Hart, doubling the Dodgers’ benefit to 2-0.
Freeman wasn’t completed.
Facing flamethrower Mason Miller within the eighth inning, Freeman delivered once more. His one-out RBI single to middle scored an insurance coverage run, giving the Dodgers a cushty three-run cushion whereas recording his forty ninth RBI of the season.
Freeman’s latest offensive surge has helped stabilize the center of the Dodgers lineup. He now leads the membership with 97 hits whereas elevating his batting common to .297.
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“I’ve been doing the same thing all season,” Freeman mentioned. “Just right now, it’s been going well. There was no magical switch that I flipped, just kind of things started to go north in all the categories.”
As spectacular as Freeman’s night time was offensively, he was equally complimentary of the pitcher who set the tone.
“He’s been great his whole Dodger career, his whole Japanese career. He’s just a great pitcher, he really is,” Freeman mentioned. “He’s special and when you have that kind of velocity on your heater, splitter at 93-94 and you can put the ball wherever you want in a strike zone. It doesn’t matter how hard you throw, if you hit spots, hitters can’t hit it. He’s a special pitcher, and glad he’s on our side.”
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The bullpen preserved Yamamoto’s masterpiece.
After Brock Stewart surrendered a double to Fernando Tatis Jr. within the eighth inning, Roberts instantly summoned Alex Vesia, who responded by placing out Jake Cronenworth to strand the runner at second base.
Will Klein dealt with the ninth inning for his second save of the season, finishing the Dodgers’ shutout.
Perhaps equally encouraging for the Dodgers was doing all of it with out Shohei Ohtani within the lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after defeating the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after defeating the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
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Ohtani, sidelined with proper biceps soreness, continues to enhance. Before the sport, Roberts mentioned Ohtani was feeling “considerably better” after therapy and expressed hope that Ohtani would return Sunday. After the win, Roberts reiterated that expectation.
For now, the Dodgers have hardly skipped a beat.
Behind one other dazzling performance from Yamamoto, well timed hitting from Freeman, and one other hermetic effort from their bullpen, the Dodgers are in place to finish a four-game sweep of its division rival on Sunday night time.
The Dodgers will ship Emmet Sheehan (4-5, 5.08 ERA) to the mound towards Padres left-hander JP Sears (1-1, 6.97 ERA), trying to end off the sweep and declare six wins of their final seven conferences towards San Diego over the past week.