Dodgers 6, Giants 2 – Best signing ever AJ Pollock hits go-ahead 3-run HR in win

For two-thirds of the game, it was looking like a repeat of Saturday night’s game … at least for the offense. The offense was sputtering and the Dodgers’ ace had put them in a bit of a hole.

Then suddenly, a wild AJ Pollock appears.

AJ Pollock with a go-ahead three-run shot and the Dodgers are alive. pic.twitter.com/BKPajgort8

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 9, 2020

The almost-hero from last night proved to be the hero today, as his 3-run home run in the seventh inning off Tyler Rogers proved to be the difference in the Dodgers’ 6-2 win. The 3-1 pitch was a borderline strike call (but a strike nonetheless), and that turned out to be fortuitous for the Dodgers. Pollock is hitting a robust .311/.354/.667 with a team lead-tying four ding dongs.

The Dodgers managed just two hits through six innings off former Dodger draftee (and offseason free-agent target) Kevin Gausman. Then, after a Mookie Betts lineout (97 MPH exit velo, 361 feet), Cody Bellinger singled to chase Gausman from the game (he was really good, btw: 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K). Justin Turner followed Bellinger’s single with one of his own. Max Muncy, stuck in a bit of a struggle this season, struck out looking, setting the stage for Pollock’s heroics.

Not talked about yet in this recap is Walker Buehler. Despite some wildness, he had his best and longest outing of the season: 5 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R/ER, 4 BB, 6 K. He got a late start in Summer Camp, so here’s hoping all the kinks are worked out for the rest of the campaign.

The Dodgers’ bullpen, again, was strong. Caleb Ferguson struck out the side in his inning of work. Birthday buddy Jake McGee got a high-leverage inning of scoreless relief. Blake Treinen retired Brandon Belt to end the eighth inning.

In the bottom-half, well, Literally Mookie Betts did this thing.

Mookie Betts blows the game open. pic.twitter.com/r5qsqnAsK5

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 9, 2020

Thirteen years. Feels good, man.

The Dodgers are on pace to hit 109 HRs in 60 regular-season games. That would be 10 more than the 1988 World Series-winning Dodgers hit in 161 regular-season games.

— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerLAT) August 9, 2020

Still a mystery as to how the ’88 team won it all, but ‘tevs.

Kenley Jansen got the ninth inning and retired the Giants without incident 1-2-3.

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Meanwhile, in Oakland…

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1292588854533410817

Astros and A’s brawl 👀

(Via @NBCSAthletics

pic.twitter.com/hT2yu4Qgoy

— Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) August 9, 2020

No comment, especially from Joe Kelly.

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The Dodgers move to 11-5 on the season with the victory. They welcome the pesky Padres for a 4-game set beginning tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Pacific time.