The day started off right with Matt Kemp signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a Dodger…
8/11/24
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
Today, Matt Kemp signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a Dodger. pic.twitter.com/zrykzsDhWv
…and then the Dodgers jumped out to an early lead over the Pirates. However, it was a frustrating game as the offense wasted a ton of chances and the pen blew it yet again to send things into extras. But all’s well that ends well, as Teoscar Hernandez completed the sweep with a walk-off single in a 6-5 victory.
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The Dodgers started the scoring in the 1st with a two-out rally, as Freddie Freeman doubled and Will Smith changed places with him for the game’s first run. Amed Rosario quickly followed that by singling to left and driving in Smith to make it 2-0.
Will and Amed make it 2-0! pic.twitter.com/7d61csupzl
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
The bats didn’t stop in the 2nd as they started another rally behind an Enrique Hernandez single and Andy Pages double. After a worrying pair of outs without advancing anybody, Teoscar stepped up for more two-out damage with a double to make it 4-0.
Against Tyler Glasnow there wasn’t much doing for the Pirates, but they did keep things close thanks to Andrew McCutchen. After a pair of clean frames to start, a double and Cutch homer in the 3rd cut the lead to 4-2.
McCutchen for 2 ? pic.twitter.com/uGr4ipieTu
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 11, 2024
Glasnow then settled in nicely, as he allowed a baserunner in each of the next four innings, but avoided multiples of them and finished the rest of the way scoreless.
The pen needed this from him: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 98 Pitches.
That should’ve been plenty good, but the Dodgers stopped scoring despite having great opportunities. After managing just a walk in the 3rd, they stranded a single and walk (and sacrifice) in the 4th, two walks in the 5th, a triple and walk in the 6th, and only a two-out single in the 7th.
All that traffic left on base proved important, as Anthony Banda entered in the 8th in relief of Glasnow and immediately allowed an infield single and a homer to Cutch that tied the game at 4-4.
ANDREW. MCCUTCHEN. pic.twitter.com/gzI1JicQfq
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 11, 2024
The offense was back to pissing people off in the 8th, stranding a lead-off double. Dave Roberts then called on Joe Kelly in the 9th coming off a horrid outing, and he cruised through a 1-2-3 frame before the offense could only muster a single in their attempt to walk it off.
Bonus baseball!
The 10th belonged to Evan Phillips, who started with a strikeout, but then a flare single to left scored the go-ahead run to make it 5-4 before he got a double play to end it.
Reynolds for the lead! pic.twitter.com/b5Lc3rK8Xc
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 11, 2024
In the bottom half, Enrique started by lining a double to left to score the Manfred Runner and tie the game at 5-5.
Enrique's third hit of the day is a double that ties the game in extras. pic.twitter.com/nDEcVP8Pku
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 11, 2024
Pages followed by working a nine-pitch pitch clock walk, but two outs followed and things looked grim. Down 0-2 in the count, who else by Teoscar came up with the walk-off single to win it.
Teoscar Hernandez wins it on a walk-off single! pic.twitter.com/jyiCnFSZlA
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 11, 2024
Walking it off is a sweep feeling. pic.twitter.com/2298aeuZ8H
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
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More Matt Kemp stuff.
Today, we celebrate Matt Kemp and his 10 seasons in Dodger blue. Thank you 27, for the unforgettable moments that will stay with us forever. pic.twitter.com/YXMz9JG9js
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
Messages for Matt on his special day. pic.twitter.com/MqnLJWhUH3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
"I don't think you all really realize or understand how much LA means to me."
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 11, 2024
The feeling is mutual, Matt. ? pic.twitter.com/RT96kl4RZA
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NL WEST | RECORD |
---|---|
Dodgers | 69-49 |
Diamondbacks | 66-53 (3.5 GB) |
Padres | 66-53 (3.5 GB) |
The Dodgers will now travel to Milwaukee for a four-game series against the Brewers. It’ll start at 2:10 PM HT/5:10 PM PT/8:10 PM ET with Clayton Kershaw facing Freddy Peralta.