Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers entered tonight with a four-game winning streak and carrying the best record in baseball. That didn’t change after 4-2 victory over the Rockies, but everything that went on in the game pales in comparison to our new hero, Exploding Nachos Fan.
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Jon Gray has historically struggled mightily at Dodger Stadium, and things didn’t get off to a great start for him tonight either. Mookie Betts started things with a single, Corey Seager drew a walk, and then Justin Turner cashed in a run with a single of his own.
After a grounder advanced the runners, Gavin Lux cashed in another run with a sacrifice fly to complete a 10-pitch battle, but they couldn’t put together a big inning as the rally died there with the score 2-0.
After failing to capitalize on a chance in the 2nd, Turner led off the 3rd by smashing a homer into some fan’s nachos in left, leaving an exploding impression to make it 3-0.
Amazing stuff.
Meanwhile, Dustin May looked to continue his progress from Spring Training and his season debut. He certainly got off to a quick start in the 1st.
Austin Barnes helped out, making an appearance for getting Bud Black ejected.
May kept the Rockies off the board through four frames, working out of minor trouble in the 3rd and 4th. However, the 5th proved a different story, as after getting an out to start he then allowed back-to-back singles, walked the bases loaded, and then gave up a single to Trevor Story to cut the lead to 3-1. That ended his night, securing a line that seems a bit tough on him as it fell apart late: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 71 Pitches.
The early hook was not only because of May seemed to lose the zone, but because two lefties were coming up for the Rockies with the game potentially on the line. Victor Gonzalez was summoned and made Dave Roberts look smart, inducing two ground outs to allow just a run to score, preventing disaster and leaving things at 3-2. Victor was allowed to continue in the 6th, and he was greeted with a single. He then induced a double-play ball that Seager didn’t treat with enough urgency and resulted in getting only one out, but Victor got a second out on another grounder before being relieved.
Blake Treinen entered and got out of the jam with one pitch, inducing a fly out. He continued in the 7th, getting a quick strikeout but then allowing a single. Before being relieved, Treinen got the second out of the frame with nasty slider.
Just comical, man.
Scott Alexander then entered in a one-run game, which is … an interesting choice in high leverage. He immediately got behind 3-0 because that’s what he does, but he induced a pop-out to get out of the 7th with the lead intact.
Corey Knebel entered to protect the advantage in the 8th, not only getting a 1-2-3 frame but doing so on six pitches, including a three-pitch strikeout to end it. It sure looks like the elite reliever is back.
Meanwhile, the lineup was stalling against Yency Almonte, Tyler Kinley, and Mychal Givens, though especially being unable to come through in the 8th, perhaps due to help from the umpire.
Thankfully, Zach McKinstry provided insurance with a dinger to left off Daniel Bard in the 8th, making it 2-1, though they weren’t able to capitalize further.
Kenley Jansen was then given the 9th with a two-run lead to protect, coming off his amazing outing last time. However, tonight he was back down at 90-92 mph range and his command was shaky, issuing a lead-off walk. But while it was a struggle at times, he rebounded and ended up striking out the next three batters to lock it down.
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The saga of Exploding Nachos Fan.
Joe Davis … uh, enjoyed it.
Max Muncy had a pole vaulting career, folks.
Luke Raley got his first MLB hit.
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The Dodgers continue to have an MLB-best 10-2 record.
The series finale will be played tomorrow night at the usual 4:10 PM HST/7:10 PM PST/10:10 PM EST with Julio Urias facing Austin Gomber. Biggest challenge will probably be not looking ahead to the weekend series against the Padres.
