Mookie Betts’ Clutch Homer Lifts Dodgers Over Padres 5-4 in NL West Showdown – August 17, 2025

Sunday, August 17th, 2025

Dodgers Edge Padres 5-4 With Late Mookie Betts Home Run

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a thrilling 5-4 victory against the San Diego Padres on August 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. Mookie Betts delivered the tiebreaking solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, propelling the Dodgers to a series sweep and extending their National League West lead to two games.

Series Recap: Dodgers Sweep Padres

The Dodgers entered the three-game series trailing the Padres by one game but managed to turn the tables by sweeping their division rivals. Over the series, Los Angeles outscored San Diego 14-6, gaining critical ground in the NL West standings. The two teams will renew their rivalry in San Diego starting Friday.

Mookie Betts Delivers in the Eighth

After walking and flying out twice earlier in the game, Mookie Betts faced Padres reliever Robert Suarez leading off the eighth inning. Betts launched a solo shot to left field for his second home run in nine games, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 edge. Suarez retired the next three batters, but the damage was done.

Early Offense Fuels Dodgers

Los Angeles jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a two-strike, three-run home run from Freddie Freeman and a two-out solo shot from Andy Pages off Padres starter Yu Darvish. Pages’ distinctive Players’ Weekend bat made an impression, and Darvish surrendered his sixth home run on the road this season. After Alex Freeland’s leadoff walk in the second, the Dodgers’ offense cooled, going down in order in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.

Padres Battle Back

San Diego responded with a determined comeback, capitalizing on scoring opportunities in the middle innings. A key moment came in the sixth when Gavin Sheets doubled and scored on Ryan O'Hearn’s double. Reliever Ben Casparius took over and hit Ramón Laureano with a pitch, but managed to escape the inning unscathed as Freddy Fermin struck out looking with the tying run at third base. The Padres also had the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position in the fifth but failed to capitalize.

Padres’ Offensive Struggles

San Diego’s power duo, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, struggled at the plate, combining for just one hit in ten at-bats with five strikeouts between them. In the late innings, Dodgers reliever Alex secured the win by striking out Machado for the final out.

Player Updates

Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill exited the game in the fourth inning, further challenging San Diego’s chances for a comeback.

Pitching Matchups Going Forward

The Padres are set to start left-hander Nestor Cortes (1-1, 5.71 ERA) against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. The Dodgers begin a seven-game road trip as right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (10-8, 2.84 ERA) takes the mound Monday in Colorado.

In summary

The Los Angeles Dodgers staged a crucial late-inning rally with Mookie Betts’ solo home run to secure a 5-4 win and sweep the San Diego Padres. The victory not only boosts their NL West lead but also highlights key performances from Betts, Freeman, and Pages, alongside struggles from Padres’ stars Tatis Jr. and Machado. As both teams prepare for their upcoming series, the Dodgers solidify their position as division frontrunners in the 2025 MLB season.

MLB Schedules

Today's MLB Games

There are no baseball games today.

Tomorrow's MLB Games

There are no baseball games tomorrow.

Yesterday's MLB Games

There were no baseball games yesterday.