The Padres' Nestor Cortes, who gave up the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history last October, faced his Dodgers demons and tossed six brilliant innings in a 5-1 win.

SAN DIEGO -- Nestor Cortes took a perfect game into the sixth inning and combined with three relievers on a two-hitter as the San Diego Padres reclaimed the NL West lead with a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.

The game proved to be vengeance for the Padres hurler. He had been battered by the Dodgers in a previous outing, allowing a grand slam to Freddie Freeman during the 2024 World Series. At that time, Cortes was pitching for the New York Yankees.