Steve Webb
ST. LOUIS, MO — We all sensed that this would happen at some point. At some point, the Dodgers would start rolling, and they would become a thing to behold, reeling off wins with apparent ease. And the efficient, workman-like win over the St. Louis Cardinals was an example of the type of victory that you’re going to be seeing a lot more of in the days ahead. They rode a great start from Tyler Anderson, and a rare flex of power from Gavin Lux to a 4-0 shutout win to take the series.
Dodgers (finally) get on the board first
After playing from behind in seemingly every game lately, the Dodgers were finally able to get out to an early lead. Granted, it wasn’t much of a lead, but we’ll take it. The run broke up a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth. After Anderson and Cards starter Dakota Hudson pretty much had their way the first three innings, Freddie Freeman broke through in the top of the 4th with a one-out double that banged high off the right field wall.
After Will Smith got plunked by a pitch, Justin Turner came through yet again. JT got a tasty 3-1 sinker low in the strike zone and he smacked it into left field. Freeman scored on the play but Smith got caught in a rundown, and the Dodgers would have to settle for one in the inning.
Will Smith drives in another
This series has been a showcase for everybody who got snubbed for the All-Star game. Not only has Freddie Freeman been raking, Will Smith has been swinging a hot bat as well. Coming into Thursday night’s contest, he’d driven in a run in five straight games. Anyone for six? Sure enough, in the top of the 6th inning, Smith came through again. After a Trea Turner single, the Fresh Prince hit a gapper to left center to score the Dodgers’ second run of the game. That brings his OPS for the season to .824. Seems kind of All-Star-ish to me.
Anderson hurls six strong frames
Meanwhile, Tyler Anderson had it going on. The day after the Cards banged the ball all over the yard against Tony Gonsolin, it was Anderson who was looking like the All-Star in this one. He had two walks in six innings, but other than that, TA was pretty much shutting down the Cardinals’ offense. He was aided by a lot of nice defense, especially from one Mookie Betts in right, who had an outfield assist and tracked down a ball that had double written all over it. Nevertheless, Anderson hit the showers with six shutout innings under his belt. His line for the night: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.
Lux jack seals the deal
With Anderson gone from the game, Cards manager Oliver Marmol tried to milk a little bit more out of his starter. And it almost worked. Hudson got two quick outs off of Jake Lamb and Max Muncy, but that is where his luck ran out. He hit Cody Bellinger on the foot with a pitch, and Gavin Lux stepped up with a chance to get one last knock against Hudson before he got yanked.
And knock he did. Though Luxy’s power numbers have been a little low this year, he seems to know where to pick his spots. In this one, he took a center-cut sinker from Hudson and gave it a ride to deep right field. It cleared the fence and landed in the Cardinals’ bullpen, and the lead had doubled in the blink of an eye.
Bullpen throws three scoreless frames to finish the game
Now leading 4-0, the Dodgers had only to pitch and play defense to win the series. And they did plenty of both. Yency Almonte managed to pitch around a couple of baserunners in the 7th. Evan Phillips was his nasty self in the 8th, and Craig Kimbrel gave up a double to Nolan Arenado, but managed to end the game with only zeroes on the board for the Redbirds. It was a calm and satisfying end to a series that had gotten pretty crazy in the first two nights.
Dodgers wrap up first half in Anaheim
The Dodgers come back to Southern California to finish out the road trip with a two-game set in Anaheim against the scuffling Angels. Since firing Joe Madden, the Angels have shown little sign of getting back on track, so it may be another lost season for the folks down in Orange County. Which, of course, means that tickets for Dodger fans who want to make the trek down south will probably find plenty of good seats available. Friday’s game features Clayton Kershaw making a final appearance before taking his rightful place among baseball’s elite in the All-Star game. 6:38 (?) first pitch. Synchronize those watches, Dodger fans!
Cans of Corn…
- Freddie Freeman must be slumping. He was only 2-for-3 in this game.
- The Dodgers have three hitters in the top 10 for batting average in the NL: Freeman, Trea Turner, and Gavin Lux. Two of those guys are going to be sitting home on Tuesday night.
- Brusdar Graterol felt something a little hinky in his shoulder on Thursday, so will be heading to the IL. With the All-Star break, we hope he has enough time to heal and be back at it in the second half.
- Reyes Moronta is back with the team to take Graterol’s roster spot.
- The Dodgers now lead the NL West by 9.5 games. That’s not over quite yet, but the fat lady is warming up.
