Magic Johnson is a big part of the Los Angeles professional teams. With the bullpen going down a rough patch, he has highlighted someone that has been a bright spot.

Mookie Betts hits a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Sunday.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres MLB game from August 15, 2025 on ESPN.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have one of the more bitter rivalries in baseball. Even the managers seem to have some beef.

Then Betts rescued the Dodgers with the 394-foot shot to left-center off Robert Suarez. It was the shortstop’s 13th homer of the season and just his fifth since June. Betts had 25 in 2022 and 39 in 2023.

It's a sigh of relief for the Padres, as at the very least, Merrill didn't suffer an injury that will keep him out for long. While the series sweep to the Dodgers stings, the Padres avoided disaster with Merrill's injury scare.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are beating the San Diego Padres when it counts, and it's especially sweet for an ex-Padres star.

In Sunday's setback, the Dodgers jumped out to a quick 4-0 through one inning before holding off the Padres, 5-4. Los Angeles scored seven runs in the first inning in the last two games to make a huge statement to its division rivals.