When the postseason rolls around, the Los Angeles Dodgers know they'll need more than just Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman carrying the load at the top of the lineup. Which is why a night where the likes of J.D. Martinez and Miguel Rojas carry the offense is important this late in the season. “You got the two horses up front with Freddie and (Mookie) and you got to be able to have your three, four or five hitters protect those guys,” Martinez said.
Juan Soto hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning, and the San Diego Padres rallied from an early five-run deficit for an 11-8 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night. Manny Machado homered twice for the Padres, who beat their playoff-bound rivals for only the third time in 11 meetings this season. San Diego still had to survive a perilous bottom of the ninth for closer Josh Hader, who got Chris Taylor on a weak liner to shortstop with the bases loaded to end it.
The Dodgers try to rally against Padres closer Josh Hader but fall short after Evan Phillips gives up two home runs in the ninth inning of an 11-8 loss.
J.D. Martinez homered and drove in three runs in his return from the injured list, Freddie Freeman set a Dodgers record with his 53rd double of the season, and Los Angeles beat the Washington Nationals 8-5 on Friday night. Max Muncy and Kiké Hernandez had solo shots for Los Angeles, which reduced its magic number in the NL West to eight. The Dodgers lead Arizona by 13 games and hold the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks.