Dodgers 6, Nationals 1: Bobby Miller impresses in efficient home debut

Finally home after what was likely to be the most difficult road trip of the year, the Dodgers got their homestand started the right way, putting up a crooked number in the 5th and cruising from there to a 6-1 victory over the Nationals.

Despite the injuries to the rotation, the Dodgers have managed to avoid long stretches of losing this year, and starts like Bobby Miller‘s today are the reason why.

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Making his second career start and his first at Dodger Stadium, Bobby Miller showed out again and he’s cementing himself in the Dodgers rotation.

Things didn’t start ideally, as after a clean 1st, he then gave up a single and a one-out double on a missed spot with a 1-2 count to put a pair in scoring position. After getting the second out, he gave up a single to CJ Abrams for a run, but Jason Heyward had his back to cut down the second run at the plate.

Apparently nobody posted this, so here's Jason Heyward's throw to save a run. pic.twitter.com/692r8mtIor

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 30, 2023

And that was it.

Miller got a 1-2-3 frame in the 3rd, pitched around a two-out double in the 4th, cruised through the 5th, and prevented a walk from doing damage in the 6th with a pair of strikeouts. He didn’t allow runs, yes, but the efficiency was impressive.

If he can ever find the whiffs consistently, he has the title of a front-line starter just waiting for him: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 87 Pitches.

Bobby Miller with the curve to (probably) finish his night. pic.twitter.com/a2bv02blOP

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 30, 2023

For a while, it didn’t look like he was going to get support from the offense against Trevor Williams, who faced the minimum through two after a single was erased by a double play. In the 3rd, a one-out single and two-out steal and walk were worked around, and the 4th was a step back with a 1-2-3 inning.

The Dodgers finally found their stride in the 5th, when the bottom of the order came through and the heart of the order feasted the third time facing Williams. Heyward led the inning off with a walk, and an error on a Miguel Vargas grounder by Abrams put runners on second and third. James Outman capitalized on that with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1.

It looked like the rally might’ve ended when Chris Taylor hit a double play ball. However, he hustled to beat the throw to first, and the Dodgers rallied with two out yet again, as Mookie Betts singled and Freddie Freeman doubled down the line in right to plate them both for a 3-1 lead.

CT3 beat out a double play ball, Mookie walked, and Freddie doubled them both home for the lead. pic.twitter.com/4PTTYU4E9V

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 30, 2023

Things did not end there, as Will Smith drew a walk and J.D. Martinez homered to the opposite field, and he’s suddenly up to 11 on the year and the Dodgers were up to a 6-1 lead. All six runs were unearned.

The two-out fireworks continue, as J.D. Martinez follows a Dills walk with a three-run homer to double the runs. pic.twitter.com/heSKMniLDM

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 30, 2023

The Nationals pen was actually impressive behind that, as they put up three clean innings to close.

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In relief of Miller was Victor Gonzalez in the 7th, who did have a 1-2-3 inning on 11 pitches, but two of the outs were liners to center. Justin Bruihl continued to provide innings in the 8th, giving up just a single (to a righty batter) and getting three outs (two lefties).

Shelby Miller took over in the 9th to close the game out, and while he gave up a single and a walk, he eventually completed the scoreless frame.

Tidy.

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NL WEST	RECORD
Dodgers	33-22
Diamondbacks	31-23 (1.5 GB)
Giants	28-26 (4.5 GB)

*Either still playing or will play later.

I regret to inform you that the Giants have necessitated a place on the table.

Tomorrow, things will feel normal for at least one day, as the game starts at 4:10 PM HT/7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET. It’ll be Tony Gonsolin (1.82 ERA/3.79 xERA/5.33 DRA) looking to continue his run prevention voodoo against Jake Irvin (5.32/6.54/5.70).