While the series against the Rockies started off a lot more tense than was comfortable, eventually the Dodgers pulled ahead late in a 6-4 victory to start the homestand with a win and make it three wins in a row.
Shohei Ohtani returns home as a member of his 50/50 club and gets an ovation from his dugout and the fans. pic.twitter.com/jdhHNZwo09
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 21, 2024
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Serving as the starter for the pen game was Ryan Brasier, and on paper he cruised through a 1-2-3 frame in the 1st. However, it was only that way thanks to Mookie Betts selling out and crashing into the wall to prevent extra bases to start the game.
Mookie Betts starts the game by crashing into the wall to rob Charlie Blackmon. pic.twitter.com/dn9RZh9sUm
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 21, 2024
Joe Kelly was next up in the 2nd, which means that’s also when the scoring started. A walk, a double, and a walk begun the frame, and with the bases loaded a run scored on a groundout to make it 1-0 Rockies. Kelly then got an important strikeout, reloaded the bases on a HBP, then got another strikeout to minimize the damage.
I can’t take this shit.
There's nine games left and they're still dicking around with this random number generator.
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 21, 2024
The 3rd was handed over to Brusdar Graterol, and he got two frames, mowing down six batters and striking out three of them.
Brusdar's slider looks better than ever at least. pic.twitter.com/GMbstT7UJa
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 21, 2024
Daniel Hudson took over in the 5th, got a pair of strikeouts, and then gave up a Charlie Blackmon solo homer to make it 2-0 Rockies.
CHUCK NAZTY ‼️ pic.twitter.com/6GYOdsdkE2
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 21, 2024
Meanwhile, the Dodgers lineup was being mowed down by Kyle Freeland. Through four innings, he gave up just a pair of two-out singles as he mostly cruised through the lineup.
That changed in the 5th in a hurry and seemingly out of nowhere. Andy Pages led off with his 11th homer of the year to cut the lead in half.
Let it fly, Andy. pic.twitter.com/Ew7hfPpCgu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 21, 2024
Later on, a one-out double from Max Muncy put a RISP, and it was with two outs that Shohei stepped up to the plate. And what else would he do than give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead after smashing his 52nd homer of the year.
Shohei Ohtani, you are ridiculous! pic.twitter.com/B1LsHjbWly
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 21, 2024
How?
Dunno how he gets on top of this. pic.twitter.com/MOOTSNg3dn
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 21, 2024
Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last long, as Alex Vesia got the ball in the 6th, struck out two batters, and then gave up a solo shot on an 0-2 count to Sam Hilliard to tie things up at 3-3.
Sam Hilli-yard! pic.twitter.com/e9SIOv3671
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 21, 2024
Fortunately, it didn’t take long for the Dodgers to get it back, as Teoscar Hernandez led the 6th off with his 30th dinger of the year to make it 4-3 Dodgers.
Teoscar's 30th homer for the lead! pic.twitter.com/vqYg9TsoSm
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 21, 2024
The 7th saw the Rockies pen enter and things went downhill for them. Tommy Edman pinch-hit and walked with one out, then he stole second. Ohtani was next, and he hustled to beat a grounder to first for an infield single that cornered the runners. Of course, he then created the 52/52 club by stealing second.
Hello, 52/52! pic.twitter.com/9i2JSZJOda
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 21, 2024
All that proved important when Mookie hit a sac fly to score a run and Teoscar ran out an infield single to plate another, which extended the lead to 6-3.
Now looking to hold a lead, Evan Phillips started things for the back-end of the pen in the 7th, cruising through a clean frame. Next up was Blake Treinen, who used a steady diet of turbo sinkers to get a clean 8th.
Freedom sinkers. pic.twitter.com/LATVXZkG1X
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 21, 2024
The 9th belonged to Michael Kopech, who actually gave up a homer to Michael Toglia on a 1-2 breaking ball to make it 6-4. No problem, as he then settled down and got the final three outs without further issue.
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NL WEST | RECORD |
---|---|
Dodgers | 92-62 |
Padres | 88-66 (4 GB) |
Diamondbacks | 86-68 (6 GB) |
NL | RECORD |
---|---|
Phillies | 92-62 |
Dodgers | 92-62 (0 GB) |
Brewers | 88-66 (4 GB) |
*Still playing.
Added a standings table for playoff seeding in the National League as well. Getting a bye would be nice for the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
The series will resume tomorrow an hour earlier at 3:10 PM HT/6:10 PM PT/9:10 PM ET with Walker Buehler looking to continue to improve while tuning up for the playoffs against Cal Quantrill.