The Los Angeles Dodgers strengthened their postseason position with a 7-0 shutout of the San Diego Padres, extending their home winning streak to 11 games as Roki Sasaki made his return from the injured list.
The Dodgers used eight pitchers in the bullpen game, combining to limit San Diego to five hits and two walks. The victory improved Los Angeles to 97-60 and moved the team closer to securing a first-round bye in the National League playoffs.
Sasaki was one of the biggest storylines of the night. Activated earlier in the day after missing nearly a month with a blister on his right middle finger, the Japanese right-hander pitched the fourth inning in his first appearance since Aug. 26.
He allowed two hits but escaped without giving up a run, striking out two batters over 20 pitches. His four-seam fastball reached 100 mph, providing an encouraging sign as the Dodgers prepare for the postseason.
Sasaki’s return also marked a change in his role. Rather than returning to the starting rotation, he asked to work out of the bullpen so he could become familiar with the role he is expected to have during the playoffs. The Dodgers have four established starters available for their postseason rotation, making a relief role a potential path for Sasaki to contribute.
Los Angeles’ offense gave its pitching staff plenty of room to work. The Dodgers scored four runs in the second inning after loading the bases with two outs. Tommy Edman and Mookie Betts drew consecutive walks before Freddie Freeman delivered a two-run single.
Freeman added another RBI in the fourth inning, while Edman hit a solo home run in the sixth and Will Smith followed with another homer in the seventh. Freeman finished with three RBIs as Los Angeles pulled away late.
The shutout was particularly notable because the Dodgers were facing Padres starter Michael King, who entered the game having won four consecutive decisions. Los Angeles chased him after four innings, scoring five runs on six hits and ending his winning streak.
The Padres, meanwhile, saw their five-game winning streak come to an end. San Diego fell to 87-70 and remained in the crowded National League wild-card race, while Los Angeles improved to 15-5 in September.
The Dodgers are now within one victory — or an Atlanta loss — of securing a first-round bye in the National League Division Series. They also remained within one game of Milwaukee for the best record in the majors, although the Brewers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
For Sasaki, the final days of the regular season offer an important opportunity to regain competitive rhythm after his injury. His return to the bullpen, combined with his 100-mph fastball and two strikeouts, gives the Dodgers another option as they prepare for October.
With the Dodgers already having secured the NL West and the postseason approaching, the focus is shifting from simply winning games to determining how the team’s pitching pieces will be used when the stakes become even higher.
