Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fans shield themselves from the Sun prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Diego Padres’ Juan Soto, center, shields himself from the Sun as he stands in the dugout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Diego Padres’ Juan Soto splashes water n his face prior to a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith drops his bat as he hits a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, hits a solo home run as San Diego Padres catcher Austin Nola watches during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, hits a solo home run as San Diego Padres catcher Austin Nola, left, watches along with home plate umpire Dan Merzel during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, drops his bat as he hits a solo home run while San Diego Padres starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, left, watches along with catcher Austin Nola during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, left, reacts as he walks in Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner for a run during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim can’t get to a ball hit for an two RBI double by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Trea Turner during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia reacts as San Diego Padres’ Austin Nola pops out to end the top of the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders Joey Gallo, left, Cody Bellinger, center, and Mookie Betts joke around during a pitching change in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Trayce Thompson is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES ― The Dodgers found a new way to win Sunday.
Eight pitchers teamed up to pitch the series finale against the San Diego Padres. A late offensive outburst made the unplanned “bullpen game” a minor footnote to the 9-4 win before an announced crowd of 48,522 at Dodger Stadium.
The win separated the Dodgers (92-41) and Padres (74-61) by 19 games atop the National League West. The Dodgers’ back-to-back wins to conclude the series reduced their magic number to clinch the division to 9.
The Dodgers saw their 5-1 lead shrink to 5-4 in the seventh inning, before scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning to make the final score appear more comfortable than the 100-degree heat made it feel.
Trayce Thompson’s three-run pinch hit home run against reliever Adrian Morejon was the final blow. Will Smith also homered for the Dodgers, and Mookie Betts hit two doubles in the win.
Justin Turner’s 2-for-3 performance extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
Caleb Ferguson struck out the side in a scoreless first inning, before giving way to Ryan Pepiot in the second inning. The rookie right-hander struggled with his command, throwing 74 pitches across two innings. After issuing his fourth walk, manager Dave Roberts summoned Alex Vesia (4-0) from the bullpen, beginning a parade of relief pitchers that ultimately delivered the win.
A five-run fourth inning knocked out Padres starter Mike Clevinger (5-6) and gave the Dodgers a comfortable lead.
