Dodgers 3, Rays 1: Mookie Betts’ late homer wins series for Dodgers after Gavin Stone turns in a gem

Chad Moriyama 08/25/2024 Game Recaps Leave A Comment

The rubber match of the series turned out to be a surprising pitching duel as Gavin Stone continued his good work in 2024 and emergency starter Jacob Lopez turned in a gem early for the Rays. The teams traded homers in the middle innings, but it was the Dodgers and Mookie Betts who had the last blow to put them ahead 3-1.

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With Shane Baz under the weather, it was Lopez to fill in, and he was outstanding at limiting the Dodgers. He set down the first seven batters before allowing a walk, though he did get through three no-hit frames.

The 4th saw a chance for the Dodgers, as a lead-off walk was followed by a single, but three straight outs killed off that rally without incident. Thankfully, Enrique Hernandez broke the scoreless streak in the 5th, leading off with his ninth dinger of the year to make it 1-0.

That zero was on the board thanks to Stone looking as good as he has all year. He got the first 10 batters he faced before giving up a single in the 4th, but rebounded with a couple outs. After a lead-off walk in the 5th, he got some defensive help from Enrique in center to prevent a double, which likely saved at least a run.

After a wild pitch and a walk led to the first RISP of the game in the 5th, Stone got a groundout to kill the threat. He then managed to work around a two-out double to get through six shutout as well. Unfortunately, that run came to an end when Jonny DeLuca led the 7th off with a solo shot to tie the game at 1-1.

Stone immediately rebounded by getting the next three batters, including a pair of strikeouts to conclude his great outing: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 80 Pitches.

First out of the pen was a relatively shaky-looking Blake Treinen, but he allowed just a single in his scoreless frame.

That bought enough time for a struggling offense, who stranded a pair of walks in the 6th and erased a single with a double play in the 7th. After the 8th started with a scare when Shohei Ohtani fouled a ball off his leg and then got hit on the wrist, it was Mookie who made it pay off with his 13th dinger of the year to put the Dodgers up 3-1.

A two-out single and HBP followed, but there was no more insurance to be found.

Thankfully then, Anthony Banda got a scoreless 9th, giving up just a one-out single and closing out the win and the series win.

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Hunter Feduccia got his first hit as well.

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Also, I stopped being lazy and did the shirt stuff. MLBPA approved and supports the site. Thanks.

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NL WESTRECORD
Dodgers78-53
Diamondbacks75-56 (3 GB)
Padres73-58 (5 GB)*

*Currently playing.

After a day off tomorrow, the Dodgers get to remain at home on Tuesday against the Orioles for three games starting at 4:10 PM HT/7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET. It’ll be Jack Flaherty against Cole Irvin.

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