Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Coming out early in absolutely comical heat, the Dodgers leaned heavily on Jack Flaherty after a pen game and he delivered for them. Meanwhile, the offense got enough going behind Shohei Ohtani going 46-46 in a 4-0 victory over the Guardians.
It stayed at 103 degrees for the entire game today at Dodger Stadium, which mercifully was completed in 2 hours, 30 minutes
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) September 8, 2024
Not that it necessarily means anything, but it’s also the third playoff team they’ve won a series against in the last week-plus or so.
======
Flaherty needed to be great, as the offense was floundering a bit early against Tanner Bibee. They were shutout through the first three frames, not even getting a RISP. However that changed in a hurry when Mookie Betts led the 4th off with a triple. After a groundout and walk, Will Smith started the scoring with a single to make it 1-0.
Will gets it started! pic.twitter.com/hMK8pA6sBN
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2024
Another walk loaded the bases again, but they were left stranded with one out as the Dodgers couldn’t take advantage.
Rather than struggling through all that stuff, Shohei decided to do things the easy way in the 5th, smashing his 46th dinger of the year to create the 46-46 club.
Shohei's 46th homer of the season ties his career high! pic.twitter.com/VmIQujmTjV
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2024
It took a while to review, presumably because he hit it so high.
Mood. ? pic.twitter.com/giGZfoF5rF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2024
The bats continued to struggle after that, not getting anything in the 6th or 7th.
——
As mentioned, Flaherty basically played the hero for the Dodgers today. In 103-degree heat, a deep outing seemed unlikely, but they needed one after a pen game yesterday. Well, Flaherty scattered just four singles, showcasing his elite command by walking nobody in his outing.
At one point he retired 12 batters in a row, which is why he was allowed to keep rolling, but when that was broken up it was the end of the line for him: 7.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 92 Pitches.
Jack Flaherty's six strikeouts over 7.1 shutout. pic.twitter.com/o0SSQaRwAF
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 8, 2024
Michael Kopech took over for him looking to strand an inherited runner, and he did just that behind a flyout and a strikeout to end any potential threat.
Michael Kopech strands the runner with a flyout and this strikeout on 101 mph. pic.twitter.com/m23lWYqRCd
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 8, 2024
In the 8th the bats finally got going again, as Max Muncy hit a lefty for his 12th homer for some insurance. Then Will Smith doubled and Chris Taylor singled to get even more breathing room at 4-0.
Max power! pic.twitter.com/JgNUxvpJo8
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2024
Closing things out in the 9th was Evan Phillips, back in a familiar role, and he didn’t look sharp. Missing location early, he gave up two singles to start, but got bailed out by a double play. It was important since he followed with a four-pitch walk before getting a strikeout to end it.
======
| NL WEST | RECORD |
|---|---|
| Dodgers | 86-57 |
| Padres | 81-63 (5.5 GB)* |
| Diamondbacks | 79-64 (7 GB)* |
*Still playing.
The Dodgers will now welcome the Cubs to town for three games starting at 4:10 PM HT/7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET. Kicking things off will be two struggling starters in Walker Buehler and Kyle Hendricks.
