Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
With the Diamondbacks seemingly tanking on purpose to the Rockies, the Dodgers absolutely needed to complete the series win over the Padres this afternoon, and they did exactly that today in emphatic fashion with a 14-0 laugher.
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Let’s start with Hyun-Jin Ryu, because why not? With how he’s being good recently he certainly deserves the attention, and he continued to be outstanding today. Improbably, he figures to be the #3 pitcher for the team in a potential playoff rotation.
1, 2, 3, you're out. pic.twitter.com/YAK6pMMN07
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 23, 2018
Ryu went six shutout frames and probably could’ve been pushed further if necessary, and he allowed just three singles and a double on the mound while striking out eight and walking none.
What a day for @HyunJinRyu99! #화이팅 pic.twitter.com/KbL2cXI34i
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 23, 2018
Most importantly, he went 3-3 and is now hitting .292 on the year.
Ryu not entertained? pic.twitter.com/IwqjoA8bnv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 23, 2018
Offensively, the Dodgers didn’t leave any doubt today. In the 2nd, the bats got on the board thanks to Manny Machado‘s 37th dong of the year and Matt Kemp‘s 21st dong of the year.
Two homers in as Manny days. pic.twitter.com/rlpzL8DQxN
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 23, 2018
.@TheRealMattKemp's birthday gift to himself: RBI No. 1000 pic.twitter.com/9ynrw4jjP9
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 23, 2018
But it was the 4th when things really got put out of reach early, as Matt Kemp started with a double, and with one down Austin Barnes turned on a hanger and killed just his third dong of the year to make it 4-0.
You think the pitcher knew that ball was gone? pic.twitter.com/bbY2xYyoLn
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 23, 2018
The rally was far from over, as Ryu followed with a single, Chris Taylor walked, and with two down David Freese plated a run with a single up the middle that knocked Joey Lucchesi out of the game. Didn’t matter much, as Manny Machado drove in another run with a single to right, Enrique Hernandez loaded the bases with a walk, and Kemp plated two more runs on a single of his own to make it 8-0.
In the 5th, the Dodgers made it a football score. Ryu singled with one out, and Justin Turner doubled with two down to start a rally. Max Muncy then cashed that in with a single to right to make it 10-0.
Amazingly they kept it a football score in the 7th. Alex Verdugo started it with a single, CT then had an infield single, and the bases were loaded after Cody Bellinger walked. Muncy then singled again, this time driving in two runs.
Joc Pederson and Kyle Farmer then followed with back-to-back ground outs to plate two more and give the Dodgers a 14-0 lead.
Things were going well.
Meanwhile, Josh Fields took over in the 7th and got a clean 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout as he competes for a playoff pen spot. Then there was Julio Urias, who struck out the side in order in the 8th, punctuating it with a 97 mph fastball. He also came out for the 9th, allowing a single but that’s all, ending things with a 95 mph fastball for a strikeout.
MY BODY IS READY FOR THE RETURN OF THE TEENAGER
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Chase Utley gets the ovation he deserves from Dodgers fans.
A standing ovation for Chase Utley before his first at-bat today. pic.twitter.com/lUI6WfH8Wn
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2018
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The Dodgers are 87-69 for 2018 now, and they finish the year 44-37 at Dodger Stadium. The NL West lead is still 1.5 games over the Rockies cause all the Diamondbacks care about now is beating the Dodgers, I guess.
Speaking of the devil, the Dodgers will now travel to Arizona for a three-game set against the Diamondbacks starting at 3:40 PM HST/6:40 PM PST/9:40 PM EST. Clayton Kershaw will be sent to the mound against Robbie Ray.
