Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
To close out the season is a meaningless series in terms of standings against the rival Giants, but an important series for Dodgers chasing milestones at least. Also relevant for the playoff tune-up honestly, and the Dodgers got things off right by cruising to a 6-2 victory.
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Offensively, the Dodgers got what they wanted to see early tonight, as the scoring started when Freddie Freeman singled in the 1st and was followed by Will Smith‘s 19th homer of the year to make it 2-0. If he were to pick a time to get back on track, now would be it.
Hello, Will Smith! pic.twitter.com/NtmZYvJAQR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2023
On the mound, the Dodgers didn’t see what they wanted early, as Lance Lynn started with back-to-back walks and then gave up a single to Wilmer Flores to make it 2-1. However, he got the next three batters to escape trouble and dodge the big inning.
After both sides went down in order in the 2nd, Freeman started the offense again in the 3rd with his 29th homer of the year to up the lead to 3-1.
Freddie makes it look so easy. ? pic.twitter.com/lYUCNxRX0D
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2023
But in the bottom of the inning, it was Flores who answered again for the Giants, homering himself to make it 3-2.
The rivals exchanged zeroes in the 4th and 5th as well, but the 6th proved to be big for the Dodgers, as it was Freeman again who started a rally. His 59th double was followed by Smith getting hit, and J.D. Martinez pummeled his 33rd homer of the year to make it 6-2 and knock starter Keaton Winn out of the game. That was also his 1000th career RBI.
J.D. homer? Winning. pic.twitter.com/mlVcnfnirf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2023
Meanwhile, despite allowing two walks in the 6th, Lynn escaped damage thanks to a double play that ended the inning.
Not a confidence-building outing, honestly, but he did enough: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K, 85 Pitches.
Lance Lynn, everybody. https://t.co/jxgKGCisb0 pic.twitter.com/3CKfIfVKSM
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 30, 2023
While the bats didn’t get anything in the 7th, 8th, or 9th, it hardly mattered.
Meanwhile, taking over for Lynn was Ryan Brasier in the 7th, and he allowed a walk but nothing else in a scoreless frame. Joe Kelly did remarkably similar in the 8th, surrendering a walk but otherwise completing the inning without mess.
The 9th belonged to Brusdar Graterol, who closed things out in 1-2-3 fashion.
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Also, this is happening.
Put more effort into research for this than the recap, ngl. https://t.co/GqHce8erac pic.twitter.com/zGKcqL5e3X
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 30, 2023
My taste is impeccable, tbh.
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The series continues tomorrow about an hour earlier at 3:05 PM HT/6:05 PM PT/9:05 PM ET, and it’ll be Clayton Kershaw in his final tune-up against Tristan Beck, another guy I don’t know.
