The series against the Mariners started about as expected with the game being locked into a pitchers’ duel. Gavin Stone set a career high in strikeouts and went seven shutout frames, but Bryan Woo was matching him pitch for pitch until Gavin Lux happened, and the two Gavins ended up powering the Dodgers to a 3-0 victory.
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First things first, it was Stone who seemed to have everything working early and often tonight. Yes, the Mariners are struggling, but Stone also had command of all his pitches. Not only was he getting weak contact, but he wasn’t allowing any contact, and he ended up setting a career-high in strikeouts with 10.
Stone ended up only allowing a single at-bat with a runner in scoring position following a walk and stolen base in the 6th, and he faced just three over the minimum in his seven shutout frames.
Gavin Stone is back up to 96-97 mph and got strikeouts on the change and slider in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/3Ufoxqqg63
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 20, 2024
Part of that was thanks to double plays like this from Freddie Freeman:
Air Freddie! pic.twitter.com/DGgAbXKi4K
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 20, 2024
Arguably the best start of his young career: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K, 90 Pitches.
Gavin Stone, K'ing the Side in the 3rd.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 20, 2024
7Ks thru 3. pic.twitter.com/BlFjhsDBr4
The problem was Woo was just as good on the other side of the ball. He gave up a single in the 1st and a walk each in the 2nd and 3rd, but then got three consecutive clean frames as he looked to be just rolling.
After he got the first out of the 7th, it was none other than Lux who stepped up and went oppo with a 2-2 sinker left up in the zone that he pummeled for his ninth dinger of the year for a 1-0 lead.
Gavin homer? Woo, there it is! pic.twitter.com/izSPPrwlDa
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 20, 2024
Woo followed by hitting Will Smith with the next pitch, which led to him leaving the game. That seemed to spark the offense, as Max Muncy marked his return with his 10th dinger of the year, a two-run shot to push the lead to 3-0.
WELCOME BACK, MAX. pic.twitter.com/ojdyCro2Jg
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 20, 2024
The Dodgers then loaded the bases with two outs behind Tommy Edman‘s first hit as a Dodger, and he then stole second base. Back-to-back walks packed the bags, but the Dodgers couldn’t get anything further.
Tommy Edman's first hit as a Dodger. pic.twitter.com/ClzTyVsYkU
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 20, 2024
Almost as if to troll the fans, Dave Roberts went to Joe Kelly in the 8th (and he would’ve if it was a one-run game as well), but he actually had a drama-free 1-2-3 inning.
With Michael Kopech getting the day off, it was Evan Phillips into his old closer role in the 9th. All he did was cruise through another scoreless frame to end the game.
Neato.
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In amusing news, Shohei Ohtani got picked off and made it a highlight, beating the throw back to first.
Shohei Ohtani gets picked off and outruns the throw back. pic.twitter.com/pxn30Q44H4
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 20, 2024
Justin Turner also returned to Dodger Stadium, getting a pre-game and in-game ovation.
To be fair, he gave a speech before the game, which is when he got his main ovation. https://t.co/tMhvjMHZXk
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 20, 2024
"Thank you so much for nine of the most incredible years of my life."
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 20, 2024
Thank you, Justin. ? pic.twitter.com/WZV8bBp68w
Welcome back, Justin, Kourtney and Bo! ? pic.twitter.com/dCINpRj7Vc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 20, 2024
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NL WEST | RECORD |
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Dodgers | 74-52 |
Padres | 71-55 (3 GB) |
Diamondbacks | 70-56 (4 GB) |
*Currently playing.
The two teams will do it again tomorrow on MLB Network at the same time of 4:10 PM HT/7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET. It’ll be Walker Buehler looking to somehow get back to being at least average, much less great, and he’ll be up against another great Mariners starter in Bryce Miller.