Will Smith delivered a decisive blow with a two-run home run in the sixth inning, breaking a tie in a 12-pitch at-bat and helping the Los Angeles Dodgers secure an 8-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The contest featured multiple hit batters and saw Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ejected during a fiery third inning.
In the matchup, oddsmakers favored the Dodgers with a moneyline around -145, while the Padres entered as underdogs near +120. The game’s run total was set at 9.5, which was exceeded in a contest marked by offense and tension.
Smith’s homer punctuated a pivotal five-run sixth inning for Los Angeles in which they sent 10 batters to the plate. Andy Pages had a standout performance, finishing 4-for-4 with two home runs, both with two outs, and contributing an additional RBI during the sixth-inning rally that pushed the Dodgers to an 8-3 lead.
The early innings were marked by escalating tension. Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was struck by a pitch from Dodgers reliever Lou Trivino in the top of the third inning. In the bottom half, Padres starter Randy Vásquez hit Shohei Ohtani on the leg, prompting both benches to be warned by the umpiring crew. Roberts emerged from the dugout to argue and was subsequently ejected by third base umpire Tripp Gibson.
The situation flared again in the seventh when Dodgers reliever Matt Sauer hit Padres infielder Jose Iglesias on the hand. Despite the brewing intensity, no further ejections were issued.
On the mound, Jeremiah Estrada was tagged with the loss for San Diego after allowing Smith’s tiebreaking home run. Sauer was credited with the win for Los Angeles, although he later surrendered a two-run homer to Trenton Brooks in the seventh inning. The Padres added another run in that frame on a balk by Michael Kopech with the bases loaded, closing the deficit to 8-6.
In the eighth inning, San Diego threatened again, loading the bases against Dodgers reliever Anthony Banda. However, Banda was able to escape the jam by inducing a foul pop from Luis Arráez to end the inning and preserve the lead.
Ohtani, one day removed from making his pitching debut with the Dodgers, went hitless and struck out four times in a rare off night at the plate. His involvement in the third-inning confrontation, however, added to the game’s emotional tone.
Tanner Scott pitched a clean ninth inning to earn his 14th save of the season, closing the door on San Diego’s final comeback attempt.
The series continues Wednesday, with Padres right-hander Stephen Kolek (3-2, 3.50 ERA) set to take the mound. The Dodgers will counter with right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who is making his return to the major leagues after missing the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
