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Buehler Leads Padres to 7-1 Dodgers Victory

6/27/2026

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Summary

Buehler Beats Dodgers

Walker Buehler (31) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run as the Padres beat the Dodgers 7-1 at Petco Park.
He signed a $1.5 million minor-league deal in February 2026, posted a 2.76 ERA with 36 strikeouts, increased sinker usage to 21.2% in May and 19.4% in June, added changeup, cut cutters, and said the mix restored his confidence.
Max Muncy and manager Dave Roberts praised Buehler’s refined command and reinvented approach.

Summary

Dodgers Crush Padres

The Dodgers beat the Padres 7–1, narrowing lead to eight games; Los Angeles went to 52-30 and San Diego to 43-37.
Dave Roberts joked X that Buehler would love to ‘shove it up our you know what.’
Buehler left, sending the bullpen—Matsui, Adam, Morejón, and Peralta—to throw 3 2/3 innings and escape two bases-loaded jams.
Buehler said he now plans to pitch five or six innings and let the Padres bullpen finish.

Summary

Buehler Starts

Manager Mike Shildt kept Walker Buehler on the mound for the Dodgers opener, rejecting a shuffle.
The game streams on Apple TV and airs on AM 570 (English) and KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish).
Los Angeles’ lineup includes DH Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Kyle Tucker and Alex Freeland.
Roki Sasaki will start for Los Angeles while Walker Buehler said he remains displeased with his Dodgers tenure ending, fueling motivation.

History

Historical Context

Mark Prior’s early brilliance—third in NL Cy Young voting in 2003 and 188 strikeouts in 2005—was cut short by shoulder and elbow injuries, forcing him into minor-league deals like a 2009 contract with the San Diego Padres. That low-cost revival model, reflected in the Cubs’ strategy under Dusty Baker, illustrates MLB’s ongoing trend of using inexpensive contracts to attempt pitcher comebacks.

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Buehler Beats Dodgers

Walker Buehler (31) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run as the Padres beat the Dodgers 7-1 at Petco Park.
He signed a $1.5 million minor-league deal in February 2026, posted a 2.76 ERA with 36 strikeouts, increased sinker usage to 21.2% in May and 19.4% in June, added changeup, cut cutters, and said the mix restored his confidence.
Max Muncy and manager Dave Roberts praised Buehler’s refined command and reinvented approach.

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