What was the story of the 2022 MLB season continued even into the postseason. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 5-3 in Game One of the 2022 National League Division Series. The way they did, it was what they’ve done to Padres righty Mike Clevinger throughout his career. Clevinger against the Dodgers now has a 10.29 ERA and has allowed six homers in 14 innings pitched against the Dodgers this season.
Dodger shortstop Trea Turner got the party started. Turner, who will be a top free agent after the season, continues to make his case for a vast contract every game. The Dodgers got two runs off the Padres in the first inning to take the driver’s seat. A seat in which they may have hit a pothole or two was relatively smooth after.
TREA TURNER GOES YARD FOR THE EARLY LEAD
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/3rzufmeusu
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 12, 2022
In the third inning, the Dodgers added three more runs via RBI doubles by Gavin Lux and Will Smith. And that was all the Dodger offense wrote for the night, as they didn’t get a hit for the rest of the game. San Diego’s bullpen sat down 14 straight Dodgers and held them hitless for 51⅔ innings to end the game. So even though the Dodgers did get the win, something to watch.
Although the Dodgers bullpen did its best to match, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol, and Chris Martin, who recorded a save, managed to keep the Padres bullpen scoreless and only give up three hits. Phillips ran into some traffic in the sixth innings but got a crucial double play.
Dodger starter Julio Urias had a nice start but ran into a bit of trouble in the fifth inning. Urias gave up a solo home run to Wil Myers and a pair of hits for the Padres to get back into the game. In his first Game One start of his career, Urias posted five innings, four runs, and three hits along with the three runs. The left-hander did strike out six.
After a five-day layoff, the Dodgers did what other playoffs who had a bye couldn’t do, which started the game strong. Although three of the four teams won, they all staged comebacks later in the games. The Dodgers started strong and then did take off their feet of the gas a little. Even a little rain fell onto Chavez Ravine at the end.
Most importantly, the Dodgers got the win and a 1-0 lead. You can say it was not the typical approach, the offense was stagnant after the third innings, but they got the job done. Trea Turner went 2-4 with a solo homer and scored another run. Will Smith went 2-4, scoring two runs and recording an RBI. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman went 0-7 in a rare occurrence. You know that scenario won’t happen too often again.
One win and ten more down to go. The Dodgers are back at it tomorrow. Clayton Kershaw will start Game Two against former Dodger, now Padre Yu Darvish. Kershaw went 12-3 and had a 2.28 ERA. The future Hall of Famer will look to move back into first for the most strikeouts in postseason history after Justin Verlander passed him today. Darvish went 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA this season.
The first pitch for Game Two on Wednesday is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. Pacific.