Dodgers rout Padres behind nine-run sixth inning, even series

SAN DIEGO — The Petco Park scoreboard made a desperate plea in the sixth inning on Saturday night, flashing “Let’s Go Padres” up on the big screen in hopes of sparking a home crowd chant.All the graphic did, however, was rile up a heavy contingent of visiting Dodgers fans. Given the way the game was going, they were the only ones with something to cheer.After being tied with the Padres through five innings, the Dodgers unloaded on their division rival with a nine-run sixth-inning rally that keyed their eventual, and historic, 15-3 demolition.There was small ball and long balls.Big swings and hustle plays on the bases.

Bad defense from the Padres.And, most of all, a clear gulf of talent between the Dodgers’ collection of star talent and that of their biggest National League West competition.“We were taking good at-bats throughout the game, and then just exploded in that inning,” utilityman Tommy Edman said.

“It’s just a good indication of how good our offense is.”Indeed, while the Padres struggled with Yoshinobu Yamamoto all night during his six-inning, two-run start, the Dodgers didn’t relent once the door opened against San Diego right-hander Randy Vásquez in the sixth.Twelve batters came to the plate.Eight of them reached safely.

Three sent a ball soaring over the fence. By the time the side was retired, the Dodgers had recorded their second-highest scoring inning of the season, and were on their way to matching their most runs ever in a game at Petco Park.A San Diego shellacking.An I-5 annihilation.“That,” manager Dave Roberts said, “was fun to see.”The inning began with a double from Freddie Freeman, then kicked into gear when Padres second baseman Will Wagner booted a ground ball from Max Muncy for a run-scoring error.

Edman followed that by smacking an RBI triple off the Petco Porch down the right-field line.Then, the previously slumping Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing delivered a one-two knockout punch, belting back-to-back...