The San Diego Padres salvaged a 5-3 win from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a game highlighted by a bases-clearing moment late in the game. 

Right-hander Ryan Bergert took the mound for the San Diego Padres on Thursday as they looked to avoid the sweep. The 6-foot-1, 25-year-old was coming off a no-decision in a loss to the Diamondbacks. This marks his fourth start in June as he continues to fill a key role in an injury-hit rotation.

Bergert leans heavily on a four-seam fastball (50% usage), complemented by a slider (25%) and a mix of sweeper, sinker, and changeup. His 94-mph fastball won’t overpower hitters, but his pitch mix helps him maintain league-average strikeout and walk rates.

The Padres faced right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, still searching for his first win of June.

He brings a deep seven-pitch mix, led by a mid-velocity four-seamer and a splitter with late drop.

Lineup Adjustments to Spark Offense

Looking to bounce back from Wednesday’s loss, the Padres shook things up—Xander Bogaerts, who tied the game late on Wednesday, hit fifth, swapping spots with Jake Cronenworth. Martín Maldonado started behind the plate in place of Elias Díaz, and Bryce Johnson made his second start in center field, replacing Jackson Merrill (IL).

Game start – Dodger Stadium, game four

Both pitchers came out sharp. Yamamoto needed fewer than 10 pitches to retire the top two hitters, surviving a deep flyout from Manny Machado. Bergert answered with an eight-pitch 1-2-3 inning, including a popup by Mookie Betts.

The Padres hit four balls to the warning track over the first two innings but couldn’t break through—until Xander Bogaerts launched a solo home run to left-center in the second inning. It marked his first homer since returning from injury and followed a game-tying double the night before.

Bergert responded with another eight-pitch 1-2-3 inning. In the third, he escaped a two-on, two-out jam thanks to a clutch defensive play by Machado at third.

The Padres extended their lead in the fifth. Bogaerts singled down the third-base line, Johnson followed with a single, and José Iglesias drove in Bogaerts with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

Bergert exited in the fifth after a walk and a single put runners at the corners with two outs. Manager Mike Shildt called on Adrián Morejón, who induced a groundball from Shohei Ohtani to escape the jam and preserve the lead.

Seventh inning surge

Bogaerts opened the seventh with a double—his third hit of the night. Cronenworth followed with a ground-rule double to score Bogaerts, extending the lead to 3-0 and ending Yamamoto’s night.

Jake Cronenworth extends the @Padres lead with a ground-rule double! pic.twitter.com/lfhwvvkgsJ

— MLB (@MLB) June 20, 2025

Reliever Lou Trivino hit Bryce Johnson with a pitch just three pitches into his outing. Johnson exited the game with an apparent knee injury.

Eighth inning insurance

Luis Arraez led off the eighth with a line-drive triple down the right-field line. Gavin Sheets drove him in with a single to make it 4-0. Tyler Wade came in as a pinch-runner and advanced to second on an infield single from Cronenworth—his third hit of the game. Iglesias then drew a bases-loaded walk-off rookie reliever, Riley Little, making his Major League debut, forcing in San Diego’s fifth run.

Adam shuts the Door in the eighth inning; Tensions boil over in the ninth inning

Jason Adam was called upon to protect the Padres’ lead in the bottom of the eighth—and he delivered. The right-hander struck out Shohei Ohtani, Dalton Rushing, and Kiké Hernández, allowing just a lone single in an otherwise dominant frame.

Tensions fan the flames

In the ninth, emotions finally boiled over. After multiple close calls throughout the game—including two hit-by-pitches on Fernando Tatis Jr.—the benches cleared. Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts were at the center of the confrontation, stepping in to defend their players and escalating tensions between the division rivals. Tatis was hit directly on his hand, and was the second Padre to be hit on the night. Players on both sides tried to ease the tensions. Roberts and Shildt both were ejected after their scuffle around home plate.

Fernando Tatis Jr. got hit, Mike Shildt said something in the direction of the Dodgers’ dugout, Dave Roberts ran toward him, and this is the scene.

Oh boy. pic.twitter.com/jMwQJwknmZ

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 20, 2025

The bottom of the ninth came after everyone returned to their dugouts.

After three straight balls, Suarez used ball four to hit Ohtani in the shoulder, giving him a “free” pass as Ohtani urged his teammates to stay on the bench and not rush out to the field. Suarez was ejected due to the warnings that had already been issued.

Yuki Matsui came in to replace Suarez, and after a few close calls and a rare catcher’s balk due to the ball being trapped under Maldonado’s gear, he was able to close out the win for the Padres. This game was not supposed to be this close, but with the multiple ejections and high emotion, it became almost too close for a Padre fan’s liking.

Post-game wrap-up interviews

Speaking with Bob Scanlan in the postgame interview, Xander Bogaerts praised the team’s effort, calling the Padres’ performance “solid all around.” When asked about the emotional intensity of a June game, Bogaerts pointed to the matchup with Shohei Ohtani as a spark.

“Starting off having Shohei pitching… it kind of set the tone,” he said. “It would’ve been nice if we won a couple more, but we’ll take this one and go home with it.”

After notching his first four-hit game of the season, Bogaerts said it felt good to finally contribute at a high level again. “It’s great to help the team. Everything is evening out now,” he said, referencing his recent slump.

Xander Bogaerts goes 4-for-4 with a HR as the @Padres end LA’s 5-game winning streak. pic.twitter.com/GFvpvVt5PR

— MLB (@MLB) June 20, 2025

Post-game presser with Mike Shildt

Following his ejection in the ninth inning of Friday’s intense contest, Padres manager Mike Shildt addressed the media regarding the bench-clearing incident sparked by Fernando Tatis Jr. being hit for the second time in the game.

“First of all, there’s a lot of respect with this team—whether it’s mutual or not, I’d like to think that it is,” Shildt said. “It’s a good rivalry. I don’t want it to get to the point that it got to… but we got to the ninth with a combination of things. They pitch in and hit Tatis. He’s been hit five times by this group. He hasn’t been hit more than four times by any team in his whole career.”

Shildt made clear that his response came from a place of defending his players: “The fact of the matter is, I took exception with it, and I’m responsible for my actions.”

The benches-clearing moment came after a chippy night and a series filled with rising tensions between the two division rivals. While tempers flared and emotions spilled over, Shildt’s stance reflected a manager determined to protect his team, particularly his star outfielder.

Tatis underwent X-rays following the game, which came back negative. However, according to team officials, he is “not in a good place” physically and emotionally after being struck on the hand.

What’s next for the Padres

The Padres return home to begin a six-game homestand, starting with a 6:40 p.m. first pitch Friday against the currently red-hot Kansas City Royals.

The homestand wraps up next Wednesday with a three-game series against the Washington Nationals—a team filled with familiar faces. The Nationals’ starting lineup features several former Padres prospects, including James Wood, CJ Abrams, and MacKenzie Gore, setting up a reunion matchup that should be both emotional and intriguing for fans in San Diego.

Scotty Keene

Scott Keene is a staff writer covering San Diego State athletics and Padres baseball for East Village Times. A San Diego native with deep roots in the local sports scene, he combines firsthand experience with analytical insight.

Follow him on X: @Scottykk88.