Los Angeles Dodgers Outlast Division Rival Padres in First Series of Season Behind Teoscar Hernandez’s Heroics and Busy Bullpens

In a clash that featured a frenetic pace, countless pitching changes, and one critical swing of the bat, the Los Angeles Dodgers came out on top in their first series of the season against the San Diego Padres. Teoscar Hernández delivered the decisive blow, launching a three-run homer in the sixth inning that ultimately pushed the Dodgers past their National League West rivals. In a game that saw 15 pitchers take the mound, the Dodgers proved steadier when it mattered most, securing a statement win early in the season.

While it’s far too early in the year to talk about playoff implications or standings with any sense of urgency, there’s no denying that these games between the Dodgers and Padres carry weight. Both organizations have invested heavily in talent and have built rosters meant to contend not just for division titles, but for pennants and World Series rings. The Dodgers, who have long held dominance over the West, opened their 2025 account against San Diego with a win that reinforced their status as the team to beat, despite the Padres’ own lofty ambitions.

The matchup was characterized by constant bullpen action. The two teams combined to use 15 pitchers throughout the game, turning the contest into a strategic chess match between managers. The early exit of both starting pitchers placed enormous pressure on the relievers, and while both bullpens were pushed to their limits, the Dodgers’ staff held up better when it counted.

The game began with some fireworks. San Diego got off to a promising start, taking an early lead after manufacturing a couple of runs in the opening innings. The Padres showed a sense of urgency, as if they wanted to send a message to the Dodgers that this year might be different. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts and slugger Manny Machado strung together a pair of hits in the second inning, helping San Diego jump out ahead.

On the mound, the Dodgers’ starter showed some shakiness in the early going, missing spots and struggling to get ahead in the count. He lasted just over three innings before being lifted. But from there, the Dodgers’ bullpen began to settle in. Meanwhile, the Padres also had to turn to their relief corps earlier than planned. Their starter labored through four innings, allowing several hard-hit balls before giving way to the bullpen carousel.

As the middle innings approached, the Dodgers began to find their rhythm. After scraping together a couple of runs in the fifth to tie the game, the sixth inning became the turning point. With two runners on base and two outs, Teoscar Hernández stepped into the batter’s box. Known for his power and his ability to change games with a single swing, Hernández did just that. He connected with a fastball left over the plate and crushed it over the left-center field wall for a three-run homer that electrified Dodger Stadium and gave the home team a 6-3 lead.

The eruption from the crowd was immediate. In a game that had teetered on the edge with every inning, Hernández’s blast served as a thunderclap moment. The Dodgers seized the momentum and never looked back.

From there, the Los Angeles bullpen took over. Over the final three innings, the Dodgers’ relievers combined for five strikeouts, no walks, and only one baserunner allowed. Every call to the pen seemed to work in the Dodgers’ favor, a testament to both the depth of their pitching staff and the managerial strategy at play.

In contrast, the Padres continued to shuffle arms, trying desperately to keep the game within reach. But they never recovered from Hernández’s blow. Their offense, potent as it is, was shut down over the final three innings. Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. each had a chance to spark a rally, but were neutralized by sharp pitching and pinpoint control from the Dodgers’ relievers.

The final score — 7-4 — doesn’t fully capture how tense the game was for most of the night. This wasn’t a blowout by any stretch. The Padres kept pressing, forcing the Dodgers to stay locked in until the final out. It was, in many ways, a microcosm of what the season series between these two teams may become: high-intensity, emotionally charged, and unpredictable. Both rosters have superstars, and both fanbases expect to win. That’s a recipe for fireworks whenever they meet.

Teoscar Hernández’s heroics will grab the headlines, and rightfully so. In a game filled with pressure moments and small margins, his homer separated the two sides. But the Dodgers’ bullpen deserves an equal share of the credit. With the game still in the balance for much of the night, Los Angeles’ relievers delivered inning after inning of steady, composed baseball. In a sport where one bad inning can change everything, the Dodgers minimized mistakes and maximized opportunities.

After the game, Hernández was quick to deflect attention. “It’s always good to come through for your team,” he said. “But what really matters is how everyone played together. From the bullpen to the defense to the guys getting on base before me — that’s how we win games like this.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the resilience of his team. “That was a grind,” Roberts said. “These are the kinds of games that test you early in the season. And I’m proud of how we responded. Teo’s homer was huge, obviously. But every guy who came out of the bullpen stepped up tonight.”

For the Padres, the loss was a frustrating one. They had chances early to take control, and their bullpen simply couldn’t contain the Dodgers’ offense in the later innings. Manager Mike Shildt acknowledged that his team let a winnable game slip away. “We had some good moments, but we didn’t finish,” Shildt said. “And against a team like that, you have to finish.”

This early-season series could foreshadow the tone of the rivalry in 2025. While the Dodgers have long held the upper hand in the division, the Padres are trying to reshape the narrative. They’ve made moves, developed talent, and created a lineup that can challenge the Dodgers’ pitching. But for all the noise about San Diego’s resurgence, Los Angeles delivered a firm reminder that they are still the standard in the West.

And for Hernández, his moment in the sixth inning might just be the beginning of what the Dodgers hope is a season full of highlights. Acquired in the offseason to add pop and veteran leadership, he’s already proving to be a valuable piece of the puzzle. If this performance is any indication, he could play a major role in helping the Dodgers return to October baseball with confidence.

There are 159 games still to play, and no one will be hanging banners based on what happened in early April. But wins like these, gritty and hard-earned, set the tone. The Dodgers weren’t perfect. Their starter exited early, and they were playing catch-up for much of the first half of the game. But they found a way — a big swing, a locked-in bullpen, and timely execution.

As the teams part ways for now, the Dodgers will carry this victory with them as a boost heading into the next stretch of the season. For the Padres, it’s a reminder that the climb to the top still runs through Chavez Ravine. And for the fans, it’s another chapter in what promises to be one of baseball’s most intense rivalries in 2025.