Steve Webb
PHOENIX, AZ — Back when he was a studio host, former LA GM Ned Colletti was fond of saying “this game is toooooo long” for opponents of the Dodgers. Meaning that you might be able to hang with them for a few innings, maybe even into the late stages of the ballgame, but sooner or later this team would prove too much to handle.
Somewhere Ned must be smiling after Monday’s game against the Diamondbacks. After being locked in a scoreless tie going into final three innings, the Dodgers finally exploded, thanks to a two-run double from Cody Bellinger and three-run bomb from Mookie Betts. In the end, it turned out to be an easy win in the desert in this one, 6-0 Dodgers.
Anderson, Nelson trade great starts
The Dodgers were facing a bit of an unknown quantity in starter Ryne Nelson on Monday. After all, the righty was making just his second big-league start. So obviously, nobody in the Dodgers lineup had a proven plan of how to attack him in the box. And it looked like it. Other than a Trayce Thompson single and a Trea Turner triple (neither of which amounted to anything), the Dodgers went quietly against the big rookie all night.
Meanwhile, the Snakes couldn’t get out of neutral against Tyler Anderson either. Anderson had the whole arsenal working on Monday night, and was getting a lot of outs early in counts. Because he was so efficient, he was able to go seven complete frames with a lot of zeroes on the scorecard. He gave up a few hits along the way, but was aided by three double plays to keep his innings short and his pitch count low. On just 84 pitches, Anderson was solid: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.
Dodgers feast on the pen for six
Once Ryne Nelson had left the game with his lifetime 0.00 ERA still intact, the Dodgers got down to business against the D-back bullpen. The 7th innings started off as a nightmare for the first Snake reliever Kyle Nelson (no relation to starter Ryne). Max Muncy led things off by blasting a double to the deepest park of the ballpark in centerfield.
Then, on a comebacker from Justin Turner, Nelson got a little too cute. He threw behind Muncy to try to nab him at second, but instead nearly threw the ball into centerfield. Luckily, second baseman Ketel Mart was there to scoop up the errant throw and try to get Turner at first, but by then it was too late. Everybody was safe, and it set up a great scoring opportunity for the Dodgers.
Things looked even better when pinch-hitter Chris Taylor worked a walk to load up the bases. Then, the runs came quickly. First, Trayce Thompson flew out to center to sacrifice Muncy home from third. Then, Cody Bellinger stroked a ball perfectly to the right centerfield gap. The ball split the defense and rolled to the wall for a two-run double and the Dodger were suddenly up 3-0.
In the top of the ninth, the Dodgers added to their lead when Mookie Betts smoked a three-run bomb into the left field seats to double the Dodgers lead to 6-0. After Anderson pitched the 7th, Evan Phillips and Phil Bickford were both perfect in their innings to bring the ship into port and give the Dodgers their incredible 97th victory of the year against only 43 losses.
Who knows how high they can run that number up in the next few weeks. But unless there is a major meltdown (and I mean major), the 2022 Dodgers are going to set a new record for most wins in a season. And, if they keep it up at this pace, they very well could become the team with the highest winning percentage in franchise history (currently held by the 1953 team that finished 105-49-1). In order to surpass that mark, they’d have to win 111 games. In other words, go 14-8 over the last 22 games.
Kershaw’s back on the bump on Tuesday
Another important day for the Dodgers as they prep for a postseason run comes on Tuesday, as Clayton Kershaw returns to the hill for his third start since his IL stint. So far the Dodgers have been building him up. In his first start in New York, he went five innings. Then facing the Giants at home, he went six. So far, in 11 innings of work, he’s given up three earned runs on six hits, striking out 14 along the way. He’ll lock horns with righty Merrill Kelly, who’s having a pretty decent year (12-5 2.94 ERA).
One pitcher the Dodgers won’t be seeing this time around is Zac Gallen, who just had a 44 inning scoreless streak for Arizona, getting tantalizingly close to Orel’s record. Never fear; he’s sure to turn up in Dodger Stadium in the five-gamer next week. Game time on Tuesday is 6:40 PDT.
Cans of Corn…
- All day people were yacking online about how AKSHULLY, the Dodgers haven’t quite clinched a playoff spot yet. Oh shut up. Now they have you dumb nerds.
- Belli’s two straight multi-hit games is nice. Let’s hope there is something sustainable there. I’m not going to get tricked into writing a “Cody’s Back!” piece just yet.
- It was Freddie Freeman‘s 33rd birthday on Monday. He celebrated by going 0-for-3 with a walk.
- Betts’s 9th inning homer was his 34th of the year from the leadoff spot, besting Joc Pederson‘s 33 for the franchise record in that stat.
- Don’t look now. But as of game time Monday, Craig Kimbrel‘s ERA (3.81) is now lower than Kenley Jansen‘s (3.91). In addition, Jansen has 7 blown saves to Kimbrel’s 4. Quite the turn of events…
- Magic Number to clinch the division is now 1 (I think)
