Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers wrapped up a perfect homestand tonight with a 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks. They completed the sweep and have now won six games in a row.
Here we go.
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The D-backs turned to Merrill Kelly to avoid the sweep, and it was the Dodgers who struck first against him. After getting an out to start the 2nd, Justin Turner singled, Will Smith walked, and Cody Bellinger singled to load the bases. This was cashed in by a suddenly hot Gavin Lux, who plopped a single into right to make it 1-0. They didn’t get anything further, however, due to Julio Urias grounding into a double play.
Speaking of Urias, he retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced in this game, but the 4th proved to be an adventure. He got two outs, but allowed a walk, single, and stolen base in the inning to put two into scoring position for Henry Ramos, who singled past Corey Seager up the middle to plate a pair of runs and give the D-backs a 2-1 lead.
Urias ended up getting another scoreless inning before being removed early again, presumably for rest, but did get his 18th win: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 76 Pitches.
Thankfully for the sake of my sanity, the Dodgers came right back after giving up the lead. A JT single and Smith double set the table, with both being cashed in on a Bellinger RBI ground out and another Lux single to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.
It would’ve been worse if not for Ramos robbing Mookie Betts of extra bases.
The Dodgers extended the lead in the 5th, with Max Muncy smashing his 34th dong to right to make it 4-2.
Eventually, Sean Poppen had to enter following Kelly giving up two two-out singles, issuing an intentional walk to load the bases before escaping disaster.
In relief of Urias was Phil Bickford, who has been solid all year but is now getting hit a bit more, with Christian Walker being the latest to tee off and cut the lead to 4-3.
Poppen continued for the D-backs in the 6th and was not good, hitting a pinch-hitting Matt Beaty and then giving up a single to Mookie. Joe Mantiply entered and was on the verge of getting out of it after inducing a double play, but then Trea Turner and his Road Runner speed showed up on a seemingly routine grounder to second. He beat the throw comfortably for an infield single and a run. 5-3.
Surprisingly, the trio of Brandyn Sittinger, Taylor Widener, and Noe Ramirez prevented the Dodgers from adding insurance.
The 7th was given to Alex Vesia, who started with two quick outs, then had some kind of field invasion delay and promptly hit a batter with his next pitch. That was the end of his night, as Joe Kelly took over to get the final out of the inning.
Blake Treinen was next in the setup role and he got jobbed on one walk and also walked another, but never faced real danger thanks to a double play. Way to hang in there, big guy.
Kenley Jansen has looked incredible of late and he continued to do so tonight, striking out the side on just 11 pitches in a dominating outing.
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Hopefully this is nothing to worry about.
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The Dodgers improve to 94-53 on the year and are now 1.5 games back of the Giants in the NL West.
After a day off tomorrow to travel to Cincinnati, the Dodgers will play a three-game series against the Reds, looking to dash their playoff hopes. Walker Buehler against Luis Castillo will start the series at 1:10 PM HT/4:10 PM PT/7:10 PM ET.
