For two-thirds of the game, it looked like a repeat of Saturday night’s game … at least for the offense. The offense sputtered and the Dodgers’ ace had put them in a bit of a hole.
Then suddenly, a wild AJ Pollock appears.
Yesterday’s near-hero proved to be the hero today as his 3-run home run in the seventh inning off Tyler Rogers proved to be the difference in Dodgers’ 6-2 victory. The 3-1 pitch was a boundary streak (but still a strike), and that turned out to be luck for the Dodgers. Pollock hits a robust .311 / .354 / .667 with a team-leading band of four dingdongs.
The Dodgers managed just two hits through six innings from previous Dodger draftee (and offseason free agent goal) Kevin Gausman. Then, to a Mookie Betts line-out (97 MPH off-road bike, 361 feet), Cody Bellinger single to chase Gausman out of the game (he was really good, btw: 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R / ER, 0 BB, 6 K). Justin Turner followed single by Bellinger with one of his own. Max Muncy, stuck in a bit of a fight this season, slammed out of search, set the stage for the heroes of Pollock.
This recipe has not been talked about yet Walker Buehler. Despite some wildness he had his best and longest outing of the season: 5 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R / ER, 4 BB, 6 K. He got a late start in Summer Camp, so here all kinks hope to be worked out for the rest of the campaign.
The Dodgers’ bullpen, again, was strong. Caleb Ferguson knocked the side out in his inning of the work. Birthday buddy Jake McGee received a high leverage inning of scoreless relief. Blake Trains with pension Brandon Belt to finish the eighth inning.
In the bottom half, well, literally Mookie Betts did this thing.
Thirteen years. Feels good, man.
Another mystery about how the ’88 team won it all, but ‘tevs.
Kenley Jansen got the ninth inning and drew the Giants without incident 1-2-3.
Meanwhile, in Oakland …
No comment, especially from Joe Kelly.
The Dodgers move to the 11-5 season with the victory. They welcome the pesky Padres for a 4-game set starting tomorrow night. Ross Stripling (3-0, 4.00 ERA) will be opposed by a man who can throw a baseball with advanced precision and (probably) above average speed. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Pacific.
