Dodgers beat Padres 8-7 on June 17, 2025, in a thriller. Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman starred for LA's offense. Read how they won the slugfest!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a heavyweight bout at Chavez Ravine, and the Dodgers landed the final punch. In a back-and-forth slugfest that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Dodgers edged out the San Diego Padres 8-7, proving once again why their offense is the most feared in all of baseball. This wasn't just another win; it was a statement against their closest division rival.
Shohei Ohtani was simply electric, going 3-for-4 with a game-tying home run, a double, and three RBIs to power the Dodger offense.
The Dodgers' lineup, which leads MLB in runs and slugging, was in top form Tuesday night. Shohei Ohtani was the main catalyst, blasting his 21st homer of the season to tie the game in the fifth. But he wasn't alone. Mookie Betts added a clutch home run of his own, Will Smith drove in two with a key double, and it was Freddie Freeman who delivered the decisive blow—a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning that put the Dodgers ahead for good. It was a relentless attack that answered every San Diego surge, even with Fernando Tatis Jr. launching two homers for the Padres.
On the mound, it was a tale of two very different performances. Walker Buehler, looking to rebound from a tough previous start, gave the Dodgers a gritty five innings. While he allowed four runs, his velocity and command looked much sharper, and he kept the team in the game with six strikeouts. Fast forward to the ninth, and it was nail-biting time. Closer Evan Phillips made things interesting, allowing two runs to score and putting the tying run on second. But with the game on the line, Phillips buckled down and got Manny Machado to end the threat, securing his 18th save of the season. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.
This victory was more than just another number in the win column. By taking the first game of this crucial series, the Dodgers (43-29) have extended their lead over the second-place Padres to 3.5 games. These head-to-head matchups are vital, and winning a high-pressure, one-run game like this builds the kind of confidence a championship team needs. The team remains healthy, with no new injuries or roster moves, allowing them to field their best nine every night. The consistency is paying off as they continue to set the pace in the division.
With two more games in this series against the Padres, the Dodgers have a chance to create even more separation in the standings. Tonight's offensive fireworks and bullpen resilience show they can win in multiple ways. Fans will be looking for another strong performance tomorrow as LA aims to clinch a critical series win and continue its reign atop the NL West.
