Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers was marked by both on-field heroics and fan unrest on Sunday night. The Padres powered their way to a commanding 10-2 victory, hitting six home runs to even the series at one game apiece. The contest also saw a disruptive incident from the Dodger Stadium stands, leading to a lengthy delay.
The Padres, led by a stellar pitching performance from Yu Darvish, silenced the Dodgers’ potent lineup. Darvish allowed just one run and three hits over seven innings, controlling the tempo and keeping Los Angeles from gaining any offensive momentum. While Darvish kept the Dodgers at bay, San Diego’s hitters had a field day, tying the MLB postseason record with six home runs in a single game.
Fernando Tatis Jr. led the Padres‘ power surge with two homers, while David Peralta and rookie Jackson Merrill each contributed with two-run shots. Merrill, at 21, made history as the youngest Padres player to hit a home run in the postseason. Meanwhile, Xander Bogaerts and Kyle Higashioka added solo blasts to cap off San Diego’s relentless offensive display.
The game was not without controversy, as a 12-minute delay disrupted the flow in the middle of the seventh inning. It began when two baseballs were thrown from the stands in the direction of San Diego left fielder Jurickson Profar. Profar chased one of the balls, but a security officer reached it first. Moments later, trash was thrown onto the field near the Padres bullpen, leading to further disruptions.
Security personnel rushed to the field, and the Padres, led by manager Mike Shildt, huddled in shallow left field with the umpiring crew as the scene unfolded. The sellout crowd of 54,119 — the largest at Dodger Stadium this season — expressed their displeasure with continuous booing during the delay. Security appeared to be trying to identify individuals responsible for the incident, but the Dodgers did not immediately comment on whether any arrests were made.
During the delay, Padres star Manny Machado rallied his teammates in the dugout, encouraging them to stay focused as the game paused. Once play resumed, San Diego continued their domination, securing the crucial win to swing the momentum in their favor as the series shifts to San Diego for Game 3 on Tuesday.
The Dodgers’ struggles in Game 2s continued, marking their fourth straight loss in such games. It was also their seventh defeat in their last eight postseason appearances, a troubling trend for a franchise that entered the series as a favorite.
The Padres now have a chance to capitalize on their home-field advantage and take the upper hand in the best-of-five series. With the series tied at 1-1, the stakes remain high as both teams battle for a place in the National League Championship Series. The Padres’ resilience, both against the Dodgers’ bats and a hostile crowd, could provide the momentum they need as they return to Petco Park, while the Dodgers will look to regroup and regain control on the road.