Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Much to the chagrin of many fans, Dave Roberts basically ran out the surrender lineup tonight in the finale of the series and the finale of the road trip. Amusingly, that lineup immediately jumped out to a big lead that the Dodgers didn’t relinquish, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto cruised for another start in a 8-0 victory.
The Dodgers won the first series of the season against the D-backs and finished their road trip at an impressive 7-2.
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Late free agent signing Jordan Montgomery has been pretty solid to start his time with the D-backs, but he was greeted rudely in his home opener.
Thing started well with a clean 1st, but after an Enrique Hernandez walk in the 2nd, Andy Pages worked a full count, and on the eighth pitch he hammered his third homer of the year for a 2-0 lead.
Andy Pages rakes! pic.twitter.com/fenpyFSXNG
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 2, 2024
Thankfully, that wasn’t close to it. Miguel Rojas followed with a double, Chris Taylor walked, and Austin Barnes then ripped a double into the gap for another run. Mookie Betts then came through with a single to drive in a pair and push the lead to 5-0.
The big power of the Dodgers come through, as Miguel Rojas and Austin Barnes both double. pic.twitter.com/Y5CcN9lCYT
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 2, 2024
Mookie Betts singles and the surrender lineup has put up a five-spot, lmao. pic.twitter.com/k51b6rwPOJ
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 2, 2024
Will Smith then immediately added on to start the 3rd, smashing his fourth homer of the year to make it 6-0.
Will with a no-doubter! pic.twitter.com/4IRJAIKNWs
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 2, 2024
Despite some minor traffic over the next three innings, the Dodgers weren’t able to add insurance. However, they put together a patient rally in the 7th, as a Freddie Freeman walk, Teoscar Hernandez single, and Enrique Hernandez walk loaded the bases. Then back-to-back walks to Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas led to a pair of runs crossing the plate to make it 8-0.
They didn’t get anything else for the game, but they didn’t need to either.
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I suppose all of that is sorta burying the lede, which was Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s second consecutive start without allowing a run. He had some traffic going against him, but it never felt like he was under threat in the start, as the Diamondbacks just had two at-bats with RISP against him, and one of them only came after a blown strike three call.
Yamamoto had just one clean inning, which came in the 3rd, but also only allowed two baserunners to reach at the same time just once. That came in the 6th, his final inning, in which he worked around a walk and a single to put a bow on his outing.
The big switch was the effectiveness of his fastball, which had been a problem until recently, but he had command of it today: 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 94 Pitches
Splitter good. pic.twitter.com/L7eCITkxn0
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 2, 2024
He also almost got killed again.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto almost gets killed for the second consecutive start. pic.twitter.com/e3qsoTxjI7
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 2, 2024
J.P. Feyereisen and his 40.50 ERA entered for the 7th, and he got a clean inning, then continued in the 8th as well. He allowed a single and then got a pair of outs before being relieved by Gus Varland, who issued a walk but got out of the frame without damage. With a big lead, he continued in the 9th as well, giving up a single and walking a batter, but ultimately finishing the game with the shutout intact.
Let’s go home!
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Miguel Rojas can casually play Gold Glove defense anywhere.
Miggy smooth. ?? pic.twitter.com/cidLATHmA3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 2, 2024
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Definitely not the Bee Guy from yesterday, unfortunately.
The aura just isn't the same, bro. pic.twitter.com/a1TGFT2MYn
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 2, 2024
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20-13, a 98-win pace.
After an off-day tomorrow, the Dodger will be back home to open up a series against the Braves starting at 4:10 PM HT/7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET. It’ll be Gavin Stone facing off against Charlie Morton.
