*Photo from TSN*
LAD wins series 3-0
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a juggernaut. They have proven that so far. Will Smith had 5 hits, the entire lineup contributed, and the Dodgers advanced to the NLCS with a 12-3 rout of the San Diego Padres, sweeping them out of the playoffs in the process. The Dodgers secured their 4th NLCS appearance in the last 5 years as well, with 2019 being the only year they didn't get that far.
Max Muncy scored on a fielders choice in the second to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, but Jake Cronenworth drew a bases loaded walk and Trent Grisham hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second to give the Padres a 2-1 lead. In the 3rd, Corey Seager hit an RBI single, and Justin Turner and AJ Pollock had RBI singles, and Joc Pederson added a two run single, making it 6-1 Dodgers. In the 4th, Smith hit an RBI single to make it 7-1. In the 5th, Mookie Betts hit a sac fly to make it 8-1. In the 9th, after the Padres got one more run, Smith hit a two run double and Cody Bellinger hit a two run triple to make it 12-3.
Julio Urias got the win for the Dodgers, pitching 5 innings of relief, allowing one run on one hit and one walk, striking out 6 hitters. Dustin May served as the opener for the Dodgers, throwing just one inning. Adam Kolarek, Blake Treinen, Pedro Baez, and Dylan Floro also pitched for the Dodgers, with Floro sealing the deal in the 9th inning.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that "In the first two series, you saw what we’re capable of, everyone's gone above and beyond. It’s a unique year, and it’s really sort of, in a weird way, galvanized us. We have a lot of work to do, but really proud of them."
Roberts, when asked if this year's Dodgers team is the best equipped to end their title drought, said that "It is. We’ve had a lot of talent here over the years I’ve been here. But we’re controlling the strike zone, and in the past few years, we haven’t done that very well. It’s a credit to the hitting guys and players for understanding that. It’s a buy-in about team baseball. Everybody wants to be the hero, but taking what the pitcher gives you, when we’re at our best, we do that."
The Padres, when asked what comes next, had one general message: This is just the start. Fernando Tatis Jr said that This is a growing pain, we're just getting started. I'm going to remember this feeling, what it's about. Trust me, I don't like it." Outfielder Wil Myers said that "We took a huge step this year in the right direction to really give ourselves the title of a winning organization, we know how to win now. We’re expecting to win."
The Dodgers advance to the NLCS, where they will square off against the Atlanta Braves. The Padres will start offseason preparation.
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