Dodgers Interview: Roberts Reflects on Gritty Comeback Win

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers may have hoisted the trophy in the Bronx last fall, but if there was any doubt about how much they still wanted to beat the Yankees, Dave Roberts put it to rest after Thursday night’s 8–5 come-from-behind victory.

“I think so,” Roberts said when asked if the team gets anything extra out of a game like this. “Those guys came out really focused, and you could see that—how bad they wanted it. They got their ace on the mound… for us to get behind the eight ball a little bit with the runs and find a way to scratch back into the game was huge.”

The Dodgers were down 5–2 by the end of the third inning, with Tony Gonsolin giving up four home runs in his first three innings. But rather than panic, Roberts stuck with his right-hander—who ultimately gave the team six critical innings and kept the bullpen intact.

“Tony [was] not having his best stuff early, but settling in and finding a way to get through six innings was huge,” Roberts said. “Put us in a good spot to win the game.”

Familiar Faces, Familiar Fire

In a game that featured the reigning MVPs on both sides, the stars delivered. Aaron Judge homered in the top of the first, and Shohei Ohtani answered right back with a blast of his own in the bottom half.

“We love superstars,” Roberts said with a grin. “To start the game off with Judge hitting a homer and Sho [Ohtani] answering in the bottom half was pretty exciting for everyone.”

Ohtani would go on to homer again in the sixth, cutting the Yankees’ lead to two and igniting the Dodgers’ six-run rally. “It did,” Roberts said when asked if Ohtani’s second homer felt like a momentum swing. “You’re obviously trying to win the game, but you want to keep the game close to make them use leverage guys.”

And that’s exactly what the Dodgers did.

Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith followed Ohtani’s homer with sharp singles. Freddie Freeman—still managing a sore ankle—then ripped a double. Andy Pages tied the game with an RBI single, and the Dodgers never looked back.

“Freddy did what Freddy does,” Roberts said. “And I just really liked the Pages at-bat. Conforto taking the walk against Hill was huge. Just up and down the lineup, I thought we did enough to win the game. Just a really well-executed game plan tonight against a really good pitcher.”

Tony’s Tale of Two Halves

The first three innings of Gonsolin’s outing looked grim. But Roberts credited the righty’s composure and ability to bounce back when it mattered most.

“He’s kind of… that’s kind of the trend recently with Tony—where as the game gets on, there’s already been some damage, and he kind of bears down,” Roberts said. “Every pitch, every inning matters, but it is good to see that he doesn’t crack. Bends but don’t break kind of mindset.”

“At one point, you’re looking at how he’s going to cover three or four innings, and he ends up getting through six. His last three innings were the best obviously tonight.”

Pages Steps Up, Freeman Pushes Through

One of the most critical at-bats came from rookie center fielder Andy Pages, who knocked in three runs and continued to earn Roberts’ trust.

But all eyes were also on Freddie Freeman—especially when he tested his ankle scoring on Pages’ two-run single in the seventh. “You see him around the plate… you hold your breath at all?” a reporter asked.

“I like to think we’re out of the woods, but I still hold my breath a little bit,” Roberts admitted. “But his gait is good, running well, and it was a great send by Dino, great slide by Freddy. He’s doing a great job of managing the ankle. He treats it every day, we’re picking our spots with the running and the aggressiveness. I can’t say enough about Freddie—he really appreciates being an employee and his responsibility to post. And he plays.”

Roberts on the Rivalry and the Stage

Was there a little extra juice because it was the Yankees? Roberts believes Ohtani might say otherwise, but the manager saw the edge in his team’s demeanor.

“I think with Sho, he would probably say it’s just like any other game,” Roberts said, “but I do think that when you’re seeing the reigning MVP on the other side and going out there and performing, that brings out even more of a competitor in Sho. And obviously, it brought a lot of excitement from the fans.”

That intensity extended to the dugouts as well.

“I think what speaks to it is the intensity of the game,” Roberts said. “You can see the way that Aaron [Boone] managed—with urgency. I managed with urgency. It was a game that we both wanted.”

Edman’s Versatility and Bullpen Outlook

Roberts also praised Tommy Edman’s contributions, which included a key double and a couple of standout defensive plays—especially while moving between second base and center field mid-game.

“Tommy’s just… he’s a baseball player,” Roberts said. “He’s grinding right now offensively, but to be able to plug him in at second, short, center field—he just does things to help you win.”

As for the bullpen, Roberts provided a small update on injured right-hander Michael Kopech, who is nearing a return.

“Kopech is getting close. He’s going to throw on Sunday in OKC, and then we’ll see next week,” Roberts said. “So my thought is we’ll probably see him within a week, something like that, if that goes well.”

A Win With October Vibes

Ultimately, it wasn’t just another night at the ballpark—it was another October-like test passed in May. The Dodgers beat a Cy Young contender. They erased a three-run deficit. And they did it against the team they dethroned last fall.

“Just a huge game for us to win,” Roberts said.

And if this rematch was any indication, the Dodgers still have championship instincts—even in the regular season.

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