Jun 9, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) hits an RBI double during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – By all accounts, Monday night’s 8-7 loss to the Dodgers was the kind of game Padres fans know too well: tense, high-scoring, and frustratingly close. It was the first of seven meetings in just 11 days between the Southern California rivals, and it lived up to the billing—though not the result San Diego was hoping for.
Jackson Merrill gave the Friars hope in the 10th with a one-out RBI double, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one. But Tanner Scott shut the door with his 12th save, stranding the tying run and silencing a Petco Park crowd desperate for a late comeback. It marked San Diego’s fourth loss in their last six games—a skid made worse by the fact that Monday’s loss was there for the taking.
The game had the feel of October from the first pitch, a reminder of last year’s NL Division Series clash. The Dodgers eliminated the Padres in that one with back-to-back shutouts, and while this contest was far from a pitcher’s duel, the tension was just as real.
Andy Pages once again played the spoiler. The Dodgers’ rookie sensation opened the 10th with an RBI double off Wandy Peralta—his second straight outing giving up late damage—then scored on Tommy Edman’s infield single that took a lucky hop off second base. That bounce proved to be the difference.
The Padres had their moments. Tyler Wade delivered a game-tying three-run triple in the third inning, continuing to show he can come through in big spots. Manny Machado added an RBI double in the first. But it wasn’t enough to bail out another rocky start from Nick Pivetta, who gave up five runs and eight hits over just four innings. That’s two consecutive rough outings for the right-hander, and with a condensed rivalry series ahead, the Padres’ rotation can’t afford instability.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, showed why they’re still the team to beat. Will Smith homered and drove in three runs. Shohei Ohtani opened the night with a 111-mph double, and Freddie Freeman followed with three hits of his own. Dustin May wasn’t sharp—six hits and four walks over five innings—but he managed to limit the damage.
The good news? There’s no time to dwell. Six more games against L.A. await over the next 10 days. The Padres will have plenty of chances to return the favor. But if Monday’s loss taught anything, it’s that those chances can’t be wasted.
