Steve Webb
Game 128, 8/21/2024: Dodgers 8, Mariners 4
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Break out the brooms! A sweep against a contender. Very nice indeed.
The Dodgers secured an impressive 8-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners, showcasing their ability to get to ace pitcher Logan Gilbert early and deliver clutch hits with two outs. The game was a testament to the Dodgers’ relentless offense, particularly in their ability to capitalize on key opportunities and break through against a formidable opponent.
The Dodgers got to Gilbert, a pitcher known for his consistency and control, right from the third inning. After a quiet start, Mookie Betts sparked the offense with a two-run double, driving in Shohei Ohtani and Kevin Kiermaier to put the Dodgers ahead. This hit was a sign of things to come as the Dodgers began to figure out Gilbert, who had kept them off balance in the first two innings.
The breakthrough came in the fifth inning when the Dodgers unleashed a five-run surge, all with two outs, effectively putting the game out of reach. Freddie Freeman delivered a crucial RBI double, followed by Teoscar Hernández‘s RBI single, which knocked Gilbert out of the game. The Mariners’ ace left after 4.2 innings, having given up eight runs (six earned) on seven hits. Gilbert’s departure did little to slow the Dodgers, as Max Muncy immediately pounced on reliever Trent Thornton, smacking a bases-clearing double that pushed the score to 8-1.
What stood out in this game was the Dodgers’ ability to deliver in clutch moments. Of the eight runs they scored, seven came with two outs, showcasing their resilience and knack for performing under pressure. Muncy, in particular, was a standout, with three of his RBIs coming in that pivotal fifth inning.
The Dodgers’ ability to execute with two outs (or lack thereof) has been a theme this season, and it was on full display against the Mariners. Their timely hitting, combined with their aggressive baserunning—highlighted by stolen bases from Ohtani and Hernández—kept the pressure on the Mariners’ defense, leading to mistakes and opportunities that the Dodgers capitalized on.
On the mound, Jack Flaherty pitched effectively, allowing just one earned run over 5.2 innings, while the bullpen held firm despite a late solo homer by Mitch Haniger. With this win, the Dodgers demonstrated why they remain a top contender, combining solid pitching with an offense that can strike at any moment, particularly in the clutch.
So the team ends its thirteen-games-in-thirteen-days gauntlet with a record of 10-3. Pretty damn good considering the quality of opponents during this stretch. After an off day on Thursday, the Dodgers host the Tampa Bay Rays for three games. It’s going to be Miller, Kershaw, and Stone pitching for the home team. Game time on Friday will be the usual 7:10 PDT.
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