The Dodgers beat the Padres 5-2 on June 19, 2025, as Shohei Ohtani hit his 25th homer and Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominated. Get the full game recap and highlights.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a picture-perfect night at Chavez Ravine, and the Dodgers delivered a performance to match. In a crucial matchup against the division-rival San Diego Padres, LA's superstars shone brightest. Shohei Ohtani launched a mammoth home run and Yoshinobu Yamamoto carved up the Padres' lineup, leading the Dodgers to a decisive 5-2 victory and tightening their grip on the NL West.
With their victory over San Diego, the Dodgers improved to 44-29 and maintained a two-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the NL West standings.
The story of the night was the sheer dominance of the Dodgers' Japanese superstars. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was masterful on the mound, improving his record to 7-5. He navigated the potent Padres lineup for 6.2 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out eight and keeping hitters off balance all evening. On the other side of the ball, Shohei Ohtani provided the thunder, launching his 25th home run of the season and driving in two runs. His consistent power continues to be a driving force for the league's most formidable offense.
While the headliners grabbed the spotlight, the victory was a true team effort. Perennial All-Star Freddie Freeman contributed with two key hits and an RBI, continuing his steady production. Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernández continued his incredible run-producing season, driving in his 50th run with a fourth-inning single. This depth is what makes the Dodgers so dangerous; even when opponents manage to contain one star, another is always ready to step up.
The win pushed the Dodgers' record to a stellar 44-29 and extended their NL West lead to two games. Perhaps just as importantly, the team remains healthy and stable, with no new injuries or roster moves to report. The consistency was capped off by Evan Phillips, who shut the door in the ninth for his 16th save of the year. This period of stability, both on the field and in the clubhouse, is a key ingredient for a team with championship aspirations.
With the first game of this crucial series in the books, the Dodgers have sent a clear message to the Padres and the rest of the NL West. The combination of elite pitching, superstar power, and lineup depth is firing on all cylinders. As they look to secure the series win, the focus will be on maintaining this high level of execution and continuing to build their lead in what promises to be a competitive summer.