*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to chase down the San Francisco Giants in the NL West standings, so, right after the Giants clinched a playoff spot, the Dodgers had to as well. Trea Turner homered, Will Smith homered, and the Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-4 on Tuesday night.
The Dodgers win, coupled with losses by the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, meant that the Dodgers had officially locked up a playoff spot for the 9th year in a row, as they look to repeat as champions after winning it all in 2020. They still would like to chase down the Giants as they look for their 9th straight NL West title as well.
Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy said of going back to the playoffs that "It’s a special moment, to be able to get to the postseason for, what is it, nine years in a row now? It’s quite an accomplishment. You can’t take the postseason for granted. It’s a special moment, and everyone’s excited about it."
Muncy got the scoring started in the first inning, when he came around to score on a Turner double to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead early. In the 3rd, a two run homer by Muncy, plus a fielders choice that scored a run, quadrupled the Dodgers lead, making it a 4-0 score. A 5th inning solo home run by Trea Turner made it 5-0 shortly after. In the top of the 6th, David Peralta got the D-Backs on the board thanks to an RBI double, making it 5-1.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Dodgers got that run right back, making it a 6-1 lead thanks to a solo home run from Smith, this one going to center field. In the top of the 7th, Ketel Marte blasted a 3 run home run to center, and the lead was down to two runs, by a 6-4 score. Sac flies from Smith and Justin Turner in the bottom of the 7th gave the Dodgers an 8-4 lead, which was enough breathing room for them.
Tony Gonsolin made his second start since coming off the IL for the Dodgers, getting the win to improve to 3-1 this season. Gonsolin pitched a shutout, allowing just two hits and two walks, while racking up 6 strikeouts over 5 shutout innings. It's encouraging for the Dodgers, who also just got Clayton Kershaw back, and are getting healthier in the starting pitching department.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was upbeat about Gonsolin's start, saying that "I said it from day one that you win with starting pitching. And I believe we have the best starting pitching in baseball. To get Clayton back on line, Tony back on line and to get those other three guys to have the years that they’re having, I love where we’re at."
Luke Weaver started and got the loss for the D-Backs, dropping to 3-5 this season. Weaver allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and one walk, with 4 punchouts in 4 innings pitched. Jake Faria, Brett De Geus, Joe Mantiply, and Tyler Clippard also pitched.
The Dodgers and D-Backs continue their series this evening, with Merrill Kelly taking the mound for Arizona, while Julio Urias starts for the Dodgers.
Comments
Post a Comment