Buehler strikes out 15 as Dodgers top Padres 4-1
LOS ANGELES — Walker Buehler struck out 15 in his second career complete game, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Saturday night.
Buehler (10-2) reached double digits in strikeouts for the fourth time this season, all since June 3. It was the fifth double-digit strikeout game of his career. It was also the first time he reached double digits in victories after winning eight games in 23 starts last season.
The 15 strikeouts were his most since he had 16 in a complete-game victory over Colorado on June 21. Buehler has not walked a batter on any of his double-digit strikeout games this season.
Justin Turner hit his 17th homer as Los Angeles finished off San Diego in a tidy 2 hours, 18 minutes. Turner finished with two hits and two RBIs.
The NL West leaders grabbed control with three runs in the fifth inning, helped by some shaky Padres defense. Matt Beaty drove in Will Smith when Greg Garcia bobbled his grounder to second, preventing a potential double play.
Buehler followed with a sacrifice bunt that first baseman Eric Hosmer threw into center field. Max Muncy added a two-out RBI single, and Turner made it 4-0 with a bloop single.
Turner also hit his 17th homer in the fourth against Cal Quantrill. It was the first home run allowed by Quantrill over his last three starts.
Buehler struck out the side in the first inning and barely let up from there.
He gave up five hits.
He was working on a shutout before Manuel Margot connected for his first career pinch-hit homer with two outs in the eighth inning. It was Margot’s seventh homer of the season.
Quantrill (4-3) gave up four runs and six hits over five innings. It was the rookie right-hander’s first loss since his third career start May 19.
Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling (neck, biceps soreness) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session that was pain free and will pitch in a minor league rehab game Tuesday . ... OF A.J. Pollock tested his sore groin with a regular batting practice session and is expected to be back in the starting lineup Sunday or Monday . ... INF Jedd Gyorko, obtained from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, started a minor league rehab stint with Double-A Tulsa on Saturday as he gets closer to returning from a right wrist injury.
Padres: Rookie right-hander Chris Paddock (7-5) is set to make his third start at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, his most at any visiting park.