J.D. Martinez’s 3-run shot lifts Dodgers over Padres for their 4th win in a row

J.D. Martinez hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the first inning, Julio Urías tossed seven strong innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 4-2 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory.

The NL West leaders earned their fifth consecutive series win and have won 17 of their last 20 at Dodger Stadium.

The Padres got solo shots by Juan Soto in the first and Ha-Seong Kim in the second off Urías, both with two outs.

After an error by Mookie Betts in his fifth start of the season at shortstop, Urías retired the next nine batters in a row.

Urías (5-3) helped himself out of a jam in the sixth with runners on the corners. He fielded a comebacker by Xander Bogaerts, spun and threw to second to launch an inning-ending double play.

Urías allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings. The left-hander struck out four and walked none.

The Padres had the tying runs aboard with two outs in the ninth against Brusdar Graterol. Max Muncy made a barehanded grab and throw in one motion to Freeman, who did the splits in stretching for the ball. Bogaerts was ruled out, but the Padres successfully challenged the call and Nelson Cruz followed with a single to center.

Caleb Ferguson came on and struck out pinch-hitter Jake Cronenworth to end the game and earn his first save of the season.

San Diego lost its fourth in a row and six of seven. Padres starters have gotten little run support during the skid that began a week ago.

Joe Musgrove (1-1) got hit with a pitch-clock violation in the third with Will Smith at the plate. Musgrove and catcher Austin Nola were among five absent-minded Padres who mistakenly headed toward the dugout with two outs. They quickly retreated.

Freddie Freeman doubled leading off and scored on Smith’s RBI single for a 4-2 lead. Freeman’s 30 career at-bats against Musgrove are the most among all major-league players, and his 13 hits are the most against the right-hander.

Musgrove gave up four runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked four. He never had a 1-2-3 inning, getting pulled with two outs in the sixth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: OF David Dahl (right quad strain) began a rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Dodgers: RHP Noah Syndergaard threw a bullpen Saturday and his right index finger “seemed OK,” manager Dave Roberts said. He will consult with the training staff in deciding whether Syndergaard makes his scheduled start Monday. Syndergaard cut his finger on Tuesday in Milwaukee and is wearing protective adhesive on it.

UP NEXT

Padres: LHP Ryan Weathers (1-1, 2.50 ERA) starts the series finale in a switch with RHP Michael Wacha, who goes Monday against Kansas City.

Dodgers: RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 1.93) makes his fourth start of the season in pursuit of his first win.

Reporting by The Associated Press.