Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
After dropping two games in a row, tonight’s game against the Mets was rather important for the Dodgers with the daunting task of Jacob deGrom tomorrow. While it didn’t exactly go ideally, a couple blasts, a starter getting back on track, and a surprisingly quality relief appearance led to a 5-2 win.
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The game was scoreless through five innings, as both pitchers looked to be on their games. While the Dodgers offense did continue to struggle with the chances given, recently things have just gone like how they did when Joc Pederson crushed a ball to center and was robbed by Michael Conforto.
That’s why home runs are the best, because you don’t have to worry about that crap.
Speaking of which, the Dodgers finally got untracked in the 6th thanks to one of those dongs. Joc and Max Muncy drew back-to-back walks, and Matt Kemp blooped a single to right, which loaded the bases. Cody Bellinger stepped up and immediately buried himself in an 0-2 hole, but he learned from the way they were attacking him up with the heater, and he jumped all over one to make it 4-0 at the snap of a finger.
401 foot #BELLIBOMB! #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/Rw3em8o2ZZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 23, 2018
But the fireworks weren’t done in the inning, just unfortunately they came against Alex Wood, who gave up a two-out two-run homer to Jose Bautista. Thankfully then, those were the only two runs he surrendered over his six innings of work. Other than the homer, Wood surrendered just five singles and a walk while striking out seven batters, marking his best start since May 20.
It was a Wood night. #DodgersRelief
Tonight's quality start presented by @Biofreeze: https://t.co/gxINNvvZI2 pic.twitter.com/ioxELC40qi
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 23, 2018
Scott Alexander took over for Wood in the 7th, and he got back to being a ground-ball machine. He allowed a single in the inning, but got three ground outs as well. Dave Roberts left him out there for the 8th and it somehow all worked out just fine. Alexander got a grounder to start but that resulted in an infield single, and after notching a strikeout he seemed to induce a double play grounder to second. Problem is Muncy was at second and he just dropped the ball, allowing everybody to be safe, and to add insult to injury the shift was on so third base was taken to put runners on the corners. Thankfully, Alexander got yet another ground ball, and this time it was turned for an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.
I like this version of Scott Alexander.
Yasiel Puig then got the Dodgers an insurance run in the 9th when he yanked a dong over the left-field fence.
https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1010343769709801473
A three-run advantage for Kenley Jansen will generally do it, and tonight was no exception. He retired the Mets in 1-2-3 fashion on a fly out and two strike outs.
Mesoraco's reaction to Kenley's first pitch made me laugh. I did not originally tweet this with Brandon Nimmo's (who is left-handed) name instead, you can't prove anything pic.twitter.com/HhfBDSgTk1
— Daniel Brim (@DanielBrim) June 23, 2018
Tomorrow should be fun.
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The Dodgers improve to 39-35 overall and 19-16 away from home, temporarily moving back to two games behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West (they are in extra innings at the moment).
Surprisingly, the pitching matchup tomorrow will be none other than Clayton Kershaw, who is skipping a rehab start, against Jacob deGrom, who has been like … godly. The game will be on FOX at 1:15 PM HST/4:15 PM PST/7:15 PM EST.
