Mike Salas
Game 127, 8/20/2024: Dodgers 6, Mariners 3
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Wow! Talk about a turn of events. In a game that started out as an absolute bummer, the Dodgers managed to rally for six straight runs, and soar to win over the visiting Mariners by a score of 6-3, thanks to a huge tie-breaking homer from pinch hitter Jayson Heyward.
Walker Buehler took the mound tonight for the Los Angeles Dodgers, looking to rebound from a disappointing performance in Milwaukee. However, the first inning didn’t go as planned. After retiring the first two batters, Buehler gave up a double and then walked two, loading the bases. Seattle’s Jorge Polanco took advantage, hitting an opposite-field single that brought in two runs, giving the Mariners a 2-0 lead.
The Dodgers tried to answer back in their half of the inning. After Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts struck out, Freddie Freeman kept the inning alive with an opposite-field double. On the same night as his bobblehead giveaway, Teoscar Hernández came to the plate with two outs. He battled at the plate but ultimately struck out, leaving Freeman stranded on second and ending the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Dodgers finally got on the scoreboard. Gavin Lux, who’s been on a hot streak, launched a wild home run over the centerfield wall. Remarkably, the ball rolled back onto the field through a drain hole. After Will Smith flew out, Max Muncy stepped up and crushed a ball into right field, giving the Dodgers a much-needed momentum boost and narrowing the gap to one run. The score stood at 3-2, with Seattle still leading.
Buehler’s night came to an end after the fourth inning. He finished with a line of 92 pitches, 55 strikes, 4 innings pitched, 7 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 walks, 1 strikeout, and a 6.09 ERA. His struggles with command continued, as he had difficulty finding the strike zone consistently. Alex Vesia took over in the fifth inning.
The Dodgers’ recent trade deadline acquisition, Tommy Edman, made his first start at shortstop and didn’t disappoint. He made an incredible diving catch and throw to keep the Dodgers’ momentum alive in the fourth inning, showcasing the defensive skills he brings to the team.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Edman continued to impress, hitting a double to centerfield. Mookie Betts followed with a double into left field, driving in Edman to tie the game at three. The Mariners then intentionally walked Freddie Freeman, bringing up Teoscar Hernández. Hernández hit an opposite-field line drive into right-center, but Betts was thrown out at home plate, ending the inning with the score still tied.
The eighth inning saw the Dodgers finally take control of the game. Will Smith was hit by a pitch, and Muncy walked, putting two runners on. After the next two batters struck out, Dave Roberts called on Jason Heyward to pinch hit for Kiké Hernández. Heyward delivered in a big way, smashing a three-run homer to give the Dodgers their first lead of the game.
The Dodgers bullpen shut down the Mariners once again tonight to keep the Dodgers in the game. Dave Roberts showed a lot of fire tonight which helped lead the offense to open the game up in the bottom of the eighth. With tonight’s win, are Dodger fans finally getting to see the team we all expected when the season first started this year?
Jack Flaherty gets the start tomorrow for the Dodgers pitching against the Mariners Logan Gilbert. Game starts at 7:10pm PST and will be broadcasted on SportsNet LA.
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