Steve Webb
Bauer Lights Out in One-Sided Affair, but Seager exits with injury
Trevor Bauer was busy doing Trevor Bauer things at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night, pitching the first seven innings of a Dodger shutout of the Marlins. The final in a blowout win was Dodgers 7, Marlins 0, but all the concern Dodger fans have is the health of shortstop Corey Seager, who left the game midway through after being hit on the hand by a pitch.
Pitching duel early
Both Starters had their way with opposition batters in the first three innings. Dodger starter Trevor Bauer accumulated ten strikeouts through four innings. Bauer even needed to retire an extra batter in the third inning. A swinging strike out on Miguel Rojas bounced off of Will Smith’s glove, careening towards the Marlins dugout. Smith’s attempt to get to the run away ball was futile, allowing Rojas to get on board.
Last-minute starter for the Marlins, Jordan Holloway, was breezing through three but hit the wall in the bottom of the fourth. After a cue shot single by Justin Turner and a hard line single from Max Muncy, the Dodgers had two runners on. A walk to Will Smith loaded the bases for Chris Taylor. Taylor patiently worked a walk and the Dodgers had the lead 1-0.
Quick Trigger
Home plate umpire Chad Fairchild was in a very bad mood this evening. Fairchild had given the thumbs out signal to the Marlins’ coach Eric Duncan early in the game. Duncan may have mentioned something about the eyesight of Fairchild, who appeared to have a VERY wide strike zone. Later, Dodger Matt Beaty asked Fairchild what he was watching as he was called strike three on a ball wide of the plate in the fourth. Clayton Kershaw had a chuckle in the dugout hearing about the exchange at the plate.
Shoeless In LA
A blown tire by second baseman Jon Berti allowed an extra run to score in the bottom of the fourth inning. A potential double play was aborted when Berti lost his shoe, forcing him to only get Gavin Lux out at first. The Dodgers had a 2-0 lead after four innings.
Dodger Fans Holding their Breath in the Fifth
The Seager at bat in the fifth could be costly. In an attempt to duck out of the way of a fast ball, the ball careened off his lower grip hand. Corey, trying to shake it off, was staggering down the first base line, but was corralled by Dave Roberts and the trainer. He was pulled out of the game going for evaluation….Please Hold!
Lets all hope this is just a bad bruise!!!
Dodgers Add to the Lead
Timely hitting added to the lead in the fifth inning. A walk to Mookie Betts, another single by Muncy, then Will Smith loaded the bases on a four-pitch walk. Chris Taylor drove in his second RBI of the game with a grounder to first and the Dodger had a four run lead after 5 innings.
Offense Breaks it Open
The Dodgers broke it open with a three-run inning in the bottom of the eighth. It started with a single by Chris Taylor and a hit by pitch to Luke Raley. A walk by Gain Lux loaded the bags for pinch hitter DJ Peters. Peters promptly ripped a pitch to left center, driving in two runs, his first RBI’s of his career, making the game 6-0 for the home team. A Mookie Betts sacrifice fly scored one more and the Dodgers had a 7-0 lead going into the ninth.
Dodger Pitching
Bauer would leave the game after 7 innings, with 2 hits, 10 strikeouts and no walks. It was the first time in over a month that Bauer was given a four run lead. Garrett Cleavinger and Blake Treinen navigated through the eighth with no damage allowed. Treinen being leaned on the last couple games coming on in relief. Joe Kelly came on in the last inning to clean it up and preserve the win.
Saturday was Moving Day
Saturday was Moving Day at Dodger Stadium as the Dodgers were active picking up a former MVP, Albert Pujols and making a trade with Tamp Bay. In the trade, the Dodgers added first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo from the Tamp Bay Rays for cash. Tsutsugo will add some depth to the organization which is playing thin after multiple injuries and poor performance by the bench players.
Next up Sunday yet to be determined starter but we go in with brooms dusted off ready for the sweep. Game time 1:10 – LETS GO DODGERS!
