Dodgers get clutch hits from Belli, CT3 in comeback win

LOS ANGELES — After losing another game in extra innings on Friday night, the Dodgers really needed to come through on Saturday, especially since the rival Giants had already put a W in the books earlier in the evening. For a good bit of the game, it seemed like the Dodgers might be headed for another disappointing defeat, as they trailed 3-2 going into the later innings. However, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor both came up big in key situations and they Dodgers came back to win a big game with a 5-3 victory over the Angels.

Dodgers plate two runs early

The game started out looking good enough for the Boys in Blue. In the bottom of the first inning, they got two quick runs and got off to a 2-0 lead. New acquisition Trea Turner, making his first start as a Dodger, led off the frame with a walk off Halos starter Jaime Barria. And almost immediately, he got the chance to showcase his speed when two pitches later, he came around to score on a Max Muncy double to left field.

After a Mookie Betts flyout that moved Muncy to third, Corey Seager smoked a ground ball through the left side of the infield. Muncy scored easily and Seager was camped on first with an RBI single. Seager continues to make good contact since being reactivated, as most of his balls seem to fly off the bat. He’s hitting .280 in his last seven games, but with that level of contact, it’s only a matter of time before more hits start falling in.

Urias scuffles a bit, gives up two earned runs

On some nights, two runs is plenty for Dodgers lefty Julio Urias, but Saturday was not one of those nights. It wasn’t that he pitched badly, it’s that we’ve seen him look so much better this year. He walked three batters and gave up six hits over his five innings of work, and was lifted after 95 pitches. Plus, his defense didn’t do him any favors either. After the Angels scored two runs on three straight hits, Jo Adell‘s infield pop-up looked like it was the third out of the inning. Instead, Max Muncy seemed to misjudged the ball and didn’t close on it hard enough. It dropped in front of him for an error and allowed the go ahead run to scamper home from second. Suddenly the Dodgers were in a 2-3 hole.

Middle innings quiet

There were a lot of zeros on both sides of the ledger in the middle innings, as neither team could get much going offensively. The Dodgers had a couple of threats, but couldn’t push a run across. It worth noting the play of Trea Turner here. His five-tool reputation was well known, but Saturday was the first time, Dodger fans got to witness it up close. In addition to scoring that first run of the game, Turner got a single and stolen base, and made several nifty plays at second base. The Dodgers’ defense got better the second he stepped between the white lines.

A Belli bomb ties it up

The Dodgers finally struck again in the bottom of the seventh inning. Cody Bellinger led off and stepped in against Barria, who had really settled down after a shaky first inning. Bellinger ended Barria’s night with one massive swing. He pummeled a 2-1 slider from Barria and sent it way deep to right field for a no-doubt solo home run to tie the ball game. It was good to see that from Bellinger, who shows a few signs of getting out of his season-long slump. He’s hitting .222 in his last seven games, and while that’s not great, it’s a lot better than what he’d been doing before that.

CT3 delivers the game-winner

Then, finally, in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Dodgers got that big clutch hit that has seemed to be missing of late. Chris Taylor stepped up with two men on and one out. He got a 2-0 sinker from reliever Junior Guerra and absolutely scorched it. The ball split the defenders and rolled to the wall, allowing both Corey Seager and Will Smith to score. The tie was broken. Leading 5-3, the Dodgers headed into the ninth inning.

Jansen for the save

In the bottom of the ninth, Kenley Jansen was called on for the second straight night. And, just as he had done in the opening game of the series, Jansen turned in a strong performance. He only needed nine pitches to put the Angels down in order, striking out one along the way. Appropriately enough, the final out of the game game on a nice over the shoulder catch by Trea Turner.

Series wraps up Sunday, then off to the East Coast

The Dodgers wrap up this short, but eventful homestand on Sunday afternoon. Walker Buehler gets the ball, looking to continue his strong season. Then, after an off-day on Monday, the Dodgers head to the East Coast for six games. First, three with the Phillies and then three with the Mets. Both teams are neck-and-neck for the NL East lead, so the whole week of games have playoff implications.