Dodgers Defeat Padres 5-4 on Sacrifice Fly in Ninth Inning

The win moved the Dodgers back into first place in the National League West. Freddie Freeman hit two home runs for the Dodgers. The bullpen threw five scoreless innings.

In the ninth inning with the score tied and a runner on first base, Andy Pages faced Padres closer Mason Miller. Pages fouled off eight pitches before hitting a sacrifice fly to right field on the ninth pitch. The fly ball scored pinch-runner Alex Call from third base. A relay throw from Fernando Tatis Jr. arrived after Call touched home plate.

Freeman described the at-bat as one of the greatest he had seen. "To hit 102 is probably the hardest thing to do," he said. Manager Dave Roberts said Pages showed determination during the sequence. Pages said he entered the at-bat believing he could advance the runner.

He added that fouling off multiple pitches increased his confidence. Miller acknowledged that Pages stayed on his slider and reached his fastball.

Pages entered the game leading the Dodgers in batting average at .299. He also ranked near the top of the team in on-base plus slugging and runs batted in. Miller had recorded 15 saves in 21 appearances this season and had not allowed a run in 20 of those outings.