Dodgers eliminate Padres in NLDS after San Diego fails to score a run in the final two games of the series.

The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers battled for the most important game of the season at Chavez Ravine. These two teams have faced off three times in the NLDS since 2020 but have never met for a Game 5. The Dodgers would get revenge over their divisional rivals as they now face the New York Mets in the NLCS on Sunday evening.

For the very first time in MLB postseason history, this crucial contest featured two Japanese-born pitchers going head-to-head as starters. Padres’ Yu Darvish faced Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Yamamoto started Game 1 of the series, while Darvish started Game 2. Both had very different outings. The Friars ran Yamamoto out of the game in the 4th inning after he allowed five runs off five hits. However, the Dodgers bounced back and took the series lead 1-0. The Padres would even the series the next day, led by Darvish. He completed seven innings of work, allowing just one run.

Game 5 showcased a stellar pitching performance from both of them. Yamamoto completed five innings of scoreless ball, and then the Friars needed a long outing from Darvish, and he delivered by completing seven innings, allowing two solo home runs.

Yu Darvish touched the PS patch that honors Padres late owner Peter Seidler before his start today 💛🤎 pic.twitter.com/xj6YYuXRG6

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 12, 2024

On the first pitch, after a double-play started by Manny Machado, Kike Hernandez smashed a solo home run to left field for the first run of the contest. The Dodgers led 1-0 as they headed to the third inning.

In the top half of the third, an opportunity for the Padres to even the score or potentially take the lead took place. Kyle Higashioka and Luis Arraez both singled to put two on for Fernando Tatis Jr. On a 3-1 count, he hit into an inning-ending double play. That was the last chance the Friars had with RISP all season.

Darvish proceeded to bounce back after the homer not allowing another run through six innings. He kept the Padres in the game. However, the Padres just could not score a run. The other Hernandez, Teoscar Hernandez, hit the second solo shot of the game. The Dodgers fans were going crazy and the Padres players looked like they trying to solve the world’s hardest riddle.

Jason Adam relieved Darvish after his incredible outing and got out of the inning safely.

The Brown and Gold had two innings remaining to try and score two runs to keep their season alive. However, they just could not get the job done.

The Padres ended the season on a 24-inning scoreless streak. With how they played all year long, proving to the league that they had one of the top offenses in the sport, nobody saw the season ending this way.

This Padres team was fun to watch. After a rough start to the year, they turned it up during the second half of the season and played like one of the best teams in the league. It felt like San Diego had a shot to win their very first World Series. After all, this was just not the year.

This Padres will be a threat for years to come. This team will be back.

Chris Spiering

Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.