A Thrilling Victory in Los Angeles! 
What a game, Padres Nation! We went into Dodger territory and left victorious with a 5-3 win over our bitter rivals. You could feel the tension in the air from the first pitch to the final out. It was a close game with plenty of ups, downs, and nail-biting moments, but our Padres pulled through and proved their grit on the field.
Bogaerts Opens the Scoring 
Offensively, we started quiet, but it was Xander Bogaerts who got things rolling in the 2nd inning with an exciting solo homer to center field, giving us the early lead at 1-0. Our bats warmed up further in the 5th inning when Jake Cronenworth and Jose Iglesias added to the score, making it 2-0. With our team in control of the field, it felt good seeing the Dodgers struggle to find their rhythm.
Dominant Pitching and a Strong 8th Inning 
Our pitchers were relentless today. The Dodgers were kept scoreless for the first seven innings, a testament to our squad's superb defense and strategic pitching lineup. It was Cronenworth again in the 8th who got the crowd on its feet, bringing the score to 3-0 with a ground-rule double. Gavin Sheets and Iglesias contributed more insurance runs, putting us up 5-0 and giving the team some breathing room.
Holding Off a Dodgers Comeback Attempt 
The 9th inning gave us all heart palpitations as the Dodgers tried to stage a late rally. It got tense as the Dodgers scored three runs, aided by a couple of unfortunate errors. But credit to our bullpen for holding on under immense pressure! Matsui closed out the game with a clutch strikeout to secure our victory.
Final Thoughts 
It wasn't just a game; it was a statement of intent from our Padres. A win against our rivals at Dodger Stadium is always a special occasion. Hats off to the entire roster, with standout performances from Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, and our tireless pitchers. Let’s keep this momentum going, Padres! Feeling proud to be a member of the Friar Faithful today.
Scoreboard for Padres @ Dodgers (June 20th, 2025)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 2 |