Dodgers Secure Victory as Snell Returns; Padres Extend Winning Streak
Los Angeles wins in extras behind Betts and Muncy; San Diego defeats Milwaukee 11-2 behind Rengifo’s grand slam.
Blake Snell made a commanding return to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, delivering a dominant six-inning performance against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. The two-time Cy Young winner, who had appeared in only one game during the 2026 season prior to this outing, struck out eight batters and allowed just one run and four baserunners. Snell’s debut in 2026 occurred on May 9 following shoulder soreness, but he subsequently underwent elbow surgery to remove loose bodies, leading to a lengthy absence before this successful return.
The Dodgers secured the victory in extra innings, driven by a strong offensive showing from Mookie Betts. Betts recorded three hits, including his 14th home run of the year and a game-tying single in the eighth inning. Third baseman Max Muncy singled in Shohei Ohtani for the walk-off win. The victory was particularly crucial given that Ohtani is currently restricted to hitting indefinitely due to a knee injury, and reliever Evan Phillips struggled, allowing three runs while recording only one out.
In separate Major League Baseball action, the San Diego Padres extended their winning streak with an 11-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Luis Rengifo, who was released by the Brewers on June 23 after hitting .205 in 57 games, signed with San Diego less than a week later. Rengifo has since improved his batting average to .321 and hit a grand slam against his former team in the second inning, contributing significantly to the Padres' lead.
Fernando Tatis Jr also provided offensive support for San Diego, hitting his 12th home run of the season and his fourth in seven games. The Padres’ pitching was anchored by Walker Buehler, who has rebounded from a difficult three-start stretch in early July where he allowed 20 runs. Buehler has now strung together five starts with a 3.20 ERA, helping the team restore its season run differential to zero.
The Dodgers’ rotation has seen recent adjustments, including the addition of Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline to address depth concerns. With Snell back in the fold and performing at a high level, the Dodgers have bolstered their staff alongside Skubal. The combined efforts of Snell’s pitching and the team’s timely hitting ensured a win against the Royals, highlighting the impact of key roster moves and player recoveries.
