Padres fall to Dodgers 8-7 on June 17, 2025, in a 10-inning heartbreaker. Despite homers from Machado & Tatis Jr., a walk-off loss stings. Recap inside.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some losses just sting more than others. In a classic, gut-wrenching battle against their biggest rivals, the San Diego Padres fought tooth and nail, only to fall 8-7 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 10-inning thriller at Dodger Stadium. It was a game that had everything: towering home runs, late-game heroics, and ultimately, the bitter taste of a walk-off defeat.
Manny Machado was a force, going 3-for-5 with a home run and 3 RBIs in the losing effort.
The bats were certainly alive on Tuesday night. The Padres lineup went toe-to-toe with the Dodgers, trading blows all evening. Manny Machado was the star of the show, continuing his torrid season with a 3-for-5 performance that included a crucial home run and 3 RBIs. Not to be outdone, Fernando Tatis Jr. launched his 13th homer of the year, a solo shot that electrified the visiting dugout. The team's resilience was on full display when they clawed back to tie the game in the top of the ninth, sending it to extras. But as has been the case too often, the final heroic moment belonged to the other side, with the bullpen unable to shut the door in the 10th.
The start from ace Dylan Cease perfectly encapsulated the team's current frustrations. On one hand, his stuff was electric; he racked up an impressive 9 strikeouts in just 4.2 innings. On the other hand, that dominance was undone by 8 hits and 6 earned runs. It's the kind of inconsistency from the top of the rotation that the Padres simply can't afford, especially in high-stakes divisional games. While the strikeouts are great, the team needs Cease to be a stopper who can provide quality innings, not just flashes of brilliance.
Amid the pitching struggles, a fresh face arrived from the farm. Right-hander Ryan Bergert made his MLB debut, a promotion born out of necessity for a team seeking pitching depth. Known more for his command and versatility than overpowering stuff, Bergert has been a steady riser in a thin Padres system. Whether he sticks as a back-end starter or a multi-inning reliever, his presence is a reminder that the front office is actively trying to patch the holes on the staff. It’s a tough environment to debut in, but his performance will be one to watch closely.
The tough loss drops the Padres to 39-31 on the season, keeping them in third place in a tight NL West race. The team is now just 4-6 in their last 10 games, a trend they desperately need to reverse. While Machado (.316 BA, 43 RBIs) and Tatis (13 HR) provide the star power, the club's success hinges on finding more consistency. Looking further down the line, the farm system continues to be a story of top-end talent, with shortstop Leo De Vries and catcher Ethan Salas looking like future cornerstones, but the lack of immediate, high-impact depth remains a concern.
This one hurts, there's no way around it. Losing a slugfest to the Dodgers on their turf is a tough pill to swallow. But the season is a marathon, not a sprint. The Padres showed their offensive fight and grit, proving they can hang with anyone. Now, the challenge is to flush this loss, get a solid start from the mound tomorrow, and even the series. The bats are hot; if the pitching can stabilize, this team can get right back on track.
