Los Angeles defeated San Diego to claim series victory in first meeting between NL West rivals this season. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
- Hernández's three-run homer in sixth inning broke tie and lifted Dodgers over Padres.
- Los Angeles bounced back from Tuesday's 11-1 loss to take series from division rivals.
- Pages threw out runner at plate with 99 mph assist to help preserve Dodgers victory.
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SAN DIEGO — Teoscar Hernández broke a sixth-inning tie with a three-run homer and Michael Conforto also went deep for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Wednesday to take two of three games in the first series this season between the NL West rivals.
The defending World Series champions bounced back from Tuesday night’s 11-1 loss, a rout so bad for the pitching-strapped Dodgers that utilityman Kiké Hernández pitched the final 2 1/3 innings after starter Matt Sauer threw 111 pitches.
Rookie Casparius Navigates Early Trouble
Rookie right-hander Ben Casparius got through four innings in his second start of the season, with just one rough patch. He allowed five straight Padres to reach in the second but they got just one run, thanks largely to center fielder Andy Pages throwing out Gavin Sheets at the plate on a 99 mph throw on the fly to catcher Will Smith.
After allowing three straight singles, Casparius walked consecutive batters, including No. 9 hitter Martín Maldonado with the bases loaded. Fernando Tatis Jr. then flied out on the first pitch to end the threat.
Conforto homered to left-center off Randy Vásquez with one out in the fifth, his fourth.
Hernández Delivers Decisive Blow
Hernández hit a 420-foot shot to straightaway center field off Jeremiah Estrada with one out in the sixth, his 11th. Freddie Freeman was aboard on a single off Adrian Morejon (3-3), and Smith drew a walk from Estrada.
After pulling to 4-2 on Sheets’ sacrifice fly in the sixth, the Padres blew another prime scoring chance when Michael Kopech walked the bases loaded with one out in the seventh. Anthony Banda came on and retired three-time batting champion Luis Arraez on a weak popup and Manny Machado on a grounder.
The Dodgers, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate San Diego in a National League Division Series last year, host the Padres next Monday through Thursday.
Key Moment
Pages’ throw home was on the first base side of the plate, but Smith caught it, wheeled around and tagged Sheets.
Key Stat
Lou Trivino (2-0) got the win and Alex Vesia, the Dodgers’ eighth pitcher, struck out the side in the ninth for his third save.
Up Next
Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-4, 2.20 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at home against San Francisco. Padres RHP Stephen Kolek (3-1, 3.00) starts the opener of a three-game series at Arizona.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
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