Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers had a chance to take a commanding 2-0 NLDS series lead over the San Diego Padres on Sunday night.
Instead, an offensive outburst that included six home runs and 10 runs scored from the Padres allowed them to tie the series at one.
Fernando Tatís Jr. led the charge with two home runs, going 3-for-4 overall and driving in three runs. Jackson Merrill went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a home run, Xander Bogaerts, David Peralta and Kyle Higashioka contributed the other home runs.
The Dodgers were led offensively by Max Muncy, who had two hits and a home run. However, the team managed just five total hits and was unable to muster any momentum against the Padres pitching staff.
Jack Flaherty took the loss after tossing 5.1 innings and allowing five hits, two home runs and four earned runs. The bullpen accounted for the remaining six runs and showed exactly why the thin depth of the pitching staff could be a problem for contention chances.
Fans took to social media to criticize the team’s performance.
Dodgers Nation @DodgersNation
The Dodgers lose in embarrassing fashion to the Padres 10-2 and the NLDS is now tied at 1-1. <br><br>This game was filled with drama, delays, NSFW words but LA couldn’t build off of any of it. SD hit a postseason-record 6 home runs.<br><br>Game 3 is at Petco Park on Tuesday. <a href=”https://t.co/gr1Z5qRh1F”>pic.twitter.com/gr1Z5qRh1F</a>
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
FINAL: Padres 10, Dodgers 2<br><br>San Diego stomped Los Angeles. The Padres hit six home runs, Yu Darvish threw a gem, Jurickson Profar made a legendary catch and the goobers who threw things at Padres players went home sad.<br><br>This series heads back to San Diego tied. Game 3 Tuesday.
The series now heads to San Diego with both teams needing two victories to advance to the NLCS. While the loss should be wiped from memory for the Dodgers, it was undoubtedly a major momentum boost for the Padres.
The Dodgers have not advanced out of the Division Series since 2021 and a series loss would likely signal some sweeping changes throughout the organization. The bats will need to be hot in San Diego to avoid that fate.
Game 3 is set for Tuesday, with the first pitch set for 9:08 p.m. ET.