LOS ANGELES (AP) — Justin Turner homered twice, including a two-run lead shot in the seventh inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 Thursday evening in the opener of a series of four games between the top teams of NL West.
The Dodgers have won 12 of 13 against San Diego dating to Aug. 24, surpassing Padres 72-29 in that span. They extended their lead to 2 1/2 games.
Turner was the only offensive highlight for the Dodgers, taking 3 for 3 while the rest of the team was 2 for 25. Freddie Freeman’s 13-game heat streak ended when he was hitless in four at bats with a strikeout.
Turner hadn’t homered since May 18 when he hit a solo shot in the second that made it to 1 . His two-run homerun gave the Dodgers their first lead of the game. He homered twice in a game for the first time since last September.
Evan Phillips (2-3) took the win in 1 1/3 innings of relief. He knocked one out. Craig Kimbrel retired the side in the ninth for his 14th save.
Joe Musgrove (8-2) gave up both homeruns to Turner. The righthander gave up three runs and five hits in seven innings. He hit a season-high 10 and walked one.
The Padres had seven hits and Manny Machado struckout three on a double in the first in his return from an ankle injury. They had the potential tying run in the eighth on Jake Cronenworth’s single and walk for pinch-hitter Luke Voit, but Austin Nola grounded out to third base to end the inning.
The Padres had the bases loaded in the second inning, but Jurickson Profar flied out to the right and Chris Taylor threw out Trent Grisham at the plate for an inning-ending double play.
San Diego’s lone run came on Nomar Mazara’s two-out RBI single in the first.
Dodgers-starter Mitch White gave up one run and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struckout three batters and walked one.
TRAINERS ROOM
Address: INF Fernando Tatis Jr. (fracture left wrist) is expected to start swinging a bat at full speed in two weeks. Earlier this week, he had X-rays and saw the Phoenix doctor who performed his surgery in March.
Dodgers: LHP David Price will be absent from the team until Sunday due to a family medical emergency. …RF Mookie Betts (right rib fracture) could return early next week. He may be playing second base because it would be easier on his throwing arm than on the outfield.
SILENT NIGHT
There was no bobblehead night or birthday magic before Trea Turner† The Dodgers shortstop was hitless in four at bats with a strikeout on his 29th birthday. He caught a ceremonial first pitch from his father, Mark. His mother, Donna, and wife, Kristen, got together to say, “It’s time for Dodger baseball” with Kristen holding the couple’s 16-month-old son, Beckham. Last year, Turner hit Tampa Bay for the cycle on his birthday.
NEXT ONE
Padres: LHP Blake Snell (0-5, 5.60 ERA) makes his first start since hitting Washington’s Bryce Harper on the left thumb last weekend. Harper has had surgery and there is no timetable for his return.
Dodgers: RHP Tony Gonsolin (9-0, 1.58) leads the majors in ERA. He is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in his career against San Diego.
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