Hernández Drives in Four
Teoscar Hernández delivered the decisive blow in the seventh inning, hitting a grand slam that shifted the momentum entirely in favor of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The home run, which traveled 419 feet to center field, scored Hernández, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Justin Turner, turning a close contest into a comfortable lead for the home team.
The Dodgers entered the frame trailing 3-0, but Hernández’s power surge erased the deficit in a single play. The four runs proved to be the difference, as the Padres were unable to respond after the ninth-inning save by Tanner Scott secured the 4-3 final score.
Padres Build Early Lead
San Diego jumped out to an early advantage in the first inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. crossed the plate after Xander Bogaerts singled to right field, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. The Padres extended their lead in the fourth inning when Trent Grisham homered to center field, measuring 423 feet, to make it 2-0.
Bogaerts added another run in the sixth inning with a double to right field, driving in Grisham to push the San Diego lead to 3-0. The Padres’ offense remained quiet after the sixth, unable to add to their tally despite the Dodgers’ attempts to rally.
Pitching Performances
Shohei Ohtani started for Los Angeles, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out nine batters. Despite the loss, Ohtani kept the game close until the seventh-inning collapse. Kyle Hurt earned the win for the Dodgers, pitching one scoreless inning and allowing one hit with one walk and one strikeout.
For San Diego, Michael King pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits while striking out five. Adrian Morejon took the loss, pitching one inning and allowing one earned run on two hits with two walks. Bradgley Rodriguez closed out the regular innings for the Padres, pitching one hitless inning with one walk.
Final Score and Records
Tanner Scott recorded the save for the Dodgers, pitching a perfect ninth inning with three strikeouts. The final score of 4-3 stood as the game concluded at Dodger Stadium in front of 49,578 fans on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
With the victory, the Los Angeles Dodgers improved their record to 58-31. The San Diego Padres fell to 43-44. The result marks another chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the two California teams, with Hernández’s power display proving to be the defining moment of the contest.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816013
