Padres Star Calls Bullpen Games ‘Annoying’ After Dodgers’ Game 4 Win

The postseason hasn’t been kind to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the past three years. After losing in the National League Championship Series in 2021, the Dodgers have been eliminated in the National League Division Series for the last two years.

Entering Wednesday, the Dodgers turned to their bullpen to prevent elimination in Game 4 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres.

The bullpen delivered and the offense came alive, defeating the Padres, 8-0, extending the best-of-five series to a win-or-go-home game at Dodger Stadium on Friday.

San Diego faced eight pitchers and for one young star, the execution of the Dodgers’ game plan was “annoying.”

“I think that’s one of the most annoying things,” said Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill, when asked what it feels like to face a new arm every at-bat. “It kind of brings you back to Spring Training. You face one guy and then it’s a new guy every time.”

The Padres were held to seven hits and Merrill was 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Ryan Brasier opened the game for the Dodgers, and the veteran right-hander breezed through the first four outs without any trouble. When the Padres’ lineup of lefties came up in the second inning, manager Dave Roberts called on lefty Anthony Banda, who successfully got Jake Cronenworth to pop out, ending a two-on, two-out threat.

The Dodgers brought in Michael Kopech for the third inning, marking his earliest appearance since joining the team at the trade deadline. Kopech delivered, handing things over to Alex Vesia in the fourth to face the Padres’ left-handed hitters.

With the game firmly in control, the Dodgers ensured the series would return to Dodger Stadium by sending out Evan Phillips, Daniel Hudson, and Blake Treinen. In the ninth, rookie right-hander Landon Knack made his postseason debut, finishing off the combined shutout.

The Dodgers might similarly deploy the bullpen on Friday, even though Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are available.

“I’m proud,” Roberts said. “When you get into the postseason, it’s a street fight. It’s about people, players, and your desire has got to be more than your opponent. And for me to see our guys go through what they’ve been through and respond the way they have really makes me excited about Game 5.”

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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