Kirby Yates struggled to close out a win as the Dodgers came alive in the eighth. Yates lost command early, missing a key pitch that upset both him and the bench. Joc Pederson took advantage, driving a ball down the right-field line and legging out a triple, only to fake toward home before holding at third. The Dodgers chipped in two runs during the inning, making it a game. A sharp defensive play at third stopped a potential tying run, and a double play looked like it might end the threat, but a rookie bobbled the ball and the inning stayed alive.
With runners on and tensions high, Yates and his catcher couldn’t sync up on signs. He bounced between fastballs and splitters, clearly frustrated by the situation and breakdown in communication. Muncie finally stepped in and drove a ball to right, scoring Seager on a close play at the plate. Muncie let out a scream, venting all the nerves from the chaotic sequence. Dodgers players stormed the field to celebrate, drenching him with water and trying to rip off his jersey in a messy but fired-up finish. It was a comeback charged by timely hits and a Padres bullpen meltdown.