Dodgers 8, Nationals 5: J.D. marks return with homer, CT3 stays hot, and rain can’t stop Dodgers

Chad Moriyama 09/08/2023 Game Recaps Leave A Comment

(Via @Dodgers)

The Dodgers are off to a much better start against the Nationals compared to their past two series and took home an 8-5 victory behind a trio of homers and some timely hitting to get the offense seemingly back on track when paired with yesterday’s big day.

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Former Padres top prospect MacKenzie Gore, and the Dodgers got off to a quick start that could’ve been quicker against him.

Leading the game off, Chris Taylor drew a walk, but was then picked off first trying to steal second. Freddie Freeman followed that up with another walk, and after finally coming off the IL, it was J.D. Martinez homering for the 26th time this year to make it 2-0 early.

Unfortunately, that didn’t last long for Emmet Sheehan and the Dodgers. A single was followed by an infield single that Muncy couldn’t glove at third, which would’ve been a difficult play but one I’m sure he should’ve done better on. After a fly out, a steal attempt of third was ruled safe on review after Muncy didn’t get the tag down on time, and that was followed by a Keibert Ruiz three-run homer to really make it hurt.

After a pair of scoreless innings on both sides that saw one total at-bat with a RISP, the Dodgers retook the lead against Gore in the 4th behind homers from Max Muncy (33) and Enrique Hernandez (9) to make it 4-3. Gore’s night was over after four, partially thanks to the dinger barrage.

Meanwhile, Sheehan seemed to settle in with his third straight scoreless frame in the 4th, but in the 5th he gave up a double and a homer to give the Nationals a 5-4 lead.

His night was over with one out in the 5th, and while he didn’t pitch as bad as his line looked, the long ball cost him: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 73 Pitches.

Alex Vesia entered in relief and completed the 5th with two outs, and he also continued in the 6th in a clean frame to keep the Dodgers in the game.

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On the other side, the Dodgers stranded a bases loaded and no out situation in the 5th, but didn’t make the same mistake in the 6th. A Hernandez single and James Outman walk was followed by a rare sac bunt thanks to Miguel Rojas, and Taylor smoked a double to score them both and put the Dodgers back in front 6-5.

An intentional walk to Freeman was followed by an unintentional walk to Will Smith, and J.D. hit a sac fly to add insurance before Muncy singled to drive in another and make it 8-5.

At some point around here, the game was hit by a ~95 minute rain delay and so all the pitchers had to be shuffled.

That seemed to cool the Dodgers bats, as they didn’t get much of anything in the final three frames.

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To close things out for the Dodgers, their pen was equally impressive. Victor Gonzalez got a clean frame in the 7th that included a strikeout, and Ryan Brasier followed him by doing the same.

Ending the game in the 9th was Evan Phillips, the now closer who talked to Stacie the other day, and he made it an easy outing with two strikeouts.

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Freddie Freeman, franchise doubles leader.

Eric Karros, lol.

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NLRECORD
Braves92-48
Dodgers86-54 (6 GB)
NL WESTRECORD
Dodgers86-54
Diamondbacks74-68 (13 GB)

*Either still playing or will play later.

Tomorrow’s Saturday game will be a few hours earlier at 10:05 AM HT/1:05 PM PT/4:05 PM ET with … uh, staff ace Bobby Miller against Cole Irvin.

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