LOS ANGELES (AP) – Manny Machado slugged a three-run homer on his bobblehead night to highlight a five-run third inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-1 on Saturday night.
Machado’s homer was one of three by the Dodgers in the game, giving them a National League-leading 222 on the season and breaking the club record of 221 set last year.
The Dodgers’ division lead remained 1 ½ games ahead of Colorado, which won 5-1 at Arizona.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado watches the flight of his three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Rich Hill became the Dodgers’ first 10-game winner, allowing one run and four hits in seven innings. The left-hander (10-5) struck out seven and walked none.
Hill has been stellar since the All-Star break with an 8-1 record. In his 12 second-half starts, the Dodgers are 9-3.
Machado caught a nice toss from his wife Yainee Alonso in the pre-game first pitch ceremony.
Then reminiscent of Manny Ramirez (2009) and Yasiel Puig (2015) homering on their bobblehead nights, Machado launched his 36th long ball of the season to right-center on the first pitch from Jacob Nix (2-4). Machado had 24 homers with Baltimore before being traded on July 18.
Fans responded with chants of “Manny! Manny!”
The Dodgers batted around in the third, when Justin Turner doubled down the left-field line to drive in a pair of runs. Machado’s shot scored Turner and Max Muncy, who was hit by Nix, giving the Dodgers a 6-0 lead.
Yasmani Grandal hit his 24th homer off Brad Wieck in the sixth and Joc Pederson went deep in the first for his seventh leadoff homer of the season.
San Diego’s first run came on Hunter Renfroe’s 25th homer with two outs in the sixth, leaving him one shy of tying his career high set last year.
The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled in the ninth.
After getting a quick out, Yimi Garcia allowed a double to Austin Hedges. Tony Cingrani came on and hit Eric Hosmer before giving up a single to Wil Myers that loaded the bases. Manuel Margot followed with an RBI single.
That forced manager Dave Roberts to bring in closer Kenley Jansen, who struck out the final two batters to earn his 37th save.
Rookie Nix gave up six runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked none.
UP NEXT
LHP Joey Lucchesi (8-8, 3.74 ERA) goes for the Padres in the series finale. The third straight rookie to start in the series, Lucchesi is 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA in two starts against LA. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (5-3, 2.18) starts the Dodgers’ last home game before they end the regular season on the road. Ryu has given up three earned runs in 11 2/3 innings of two starts against the Padres.
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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado, left, is congratulated by Yasiel Puig after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson, right, celebrates his home run with third base coach Chris Woodward during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill throws to a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Diego Padres’ Hunter Renfroe, right, is congratulated by Austin Hedges after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jacob Nix throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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