Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers and Pirates squared off tonight in a meeting of hard-throwing young starters, with Paul Skenes establishing himself already and River Ryan looking to get to that level. However, Skenes ended up giving up the most runs of his career so far (only four) and Ryan unfortunately exited with an injury.
River Ryan left the game with right forearm tightness.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
That obviously dampened the mood around the park, but the Dodgers did manage to cling on to a 4-1 victory in the end.
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Skenes always figured to be a tough task given how he was running through the rest of the league, but the Dodgers jumped on him early behind the suddenly elite Gavin Lux. After a bloop double from Teoscar Hernandez, Lux ripped a double of his own to make it 1-0 in the 1st.
Gavin Lux rips a double off Paul Skenes for the game's first run. It's real. pic.twitter.com/yIdgFoK9MU
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 11, 2024
It was Lux again doing damage in the 3rd, as two were in scoring position after a soft Nick Ahmed single and a Teoscar infield roller single, which was cashed in by a Lux ripped single into right for a 3-0 lead.
It is with a heavy heart, I regret to inform you, that Gavin Lux instead ripped another ball to drive in two. pic.twitter.com/WRZ4ZoQs6q
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 11, 2024
The Dodgers added on in the 5th behind Teoscar’s 26th dinger of the year, pushing the lead to 4-0 and making it the most runs Skenes has given up in his career so far.
427 feet from Teoscar! pic.twitter.com/4XngO2xyJC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
On the other end was Ryan, who was dealing. He got a bit of defensive help from himself…
We see you, River! ? pic.twitter.com/PhpYRopGgl
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
…and only faced RISP in the 3rd due to some soft contact. He appeared to be cruising along, getting the first two outs in the 5th, which is when disaster struck as he shook out his arm on a slider and was removed from the game.
River Ryan's injury. ? pic.twitter.com/2mXL7pDDM4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 11, 2024
Brutal.
Ryan was on just 56 pitches, having struck out four and giving up just four hits in his 4.2 innings.
Also brutal as it taxed the pen even more in a close game, as Alex Vesia navigated around trouble of his own making in his three outs before Evan Phillips got the final out of the 6th. Michael Grove gave up two singles and got two outs in the 7th before Michael Kopech got the final out, and he then had a dominant showing in a clean 8th as well.
Michael Kopech's first five outings with the Dodgers:
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) August 11, 2024
5.1 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts
The Dodgers offense remained unfortunately quiet, ironically after Skenes exited the game, notably blowing a bases loaded with nobody out chance in the 7th with 2-3-4 up, which could’ve blown the game open.
Partially as a result of that, Kopech had to get four outs and Daniel Hudson had to be used in the 9th for a second day in a row. Hudson ended up giving up a solo shot to make it 4-1, but thankfully nothing more.
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Happier moments with Kevin Kiermaier.
Kevin Kiermaier shows what he's here for. pic.twitter.com/L4FnFN0FAs
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 11, 2024
Indeed. pic.twitter.com/dq9jxMtw8H https://t.co/loCdVRzmda
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 11, 2024
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| NL WEST | RECORD |
|---|---|
| Dodgers | 68-49 |
| Padres | 66-52 (2.5 GB) |
The Dodgers will go for the sweep tomorrow in an afternoon game at 10:10 AM HT/1:10 PM PT/4:10 PM ET. It’ll be Tyler Glasnow facing off against Bailey Falter.
