Adrian Medina
Game 86, 7/2/2024: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — The series opener was a doozy of a matchup, ending with a fun comeback win for the Dodgers as they defeated Arizona 6-5. Bobby Miller had his best outing since returning from the IL, but the main story from this game was the resilience shown by the Dodgers lineup in every inning and the undeniable clutch performance of Teoscar Hernandez.
The Dodgers wasted no time putting up the first run in the first inning. Shohei Ohtani led off with his 22nd double of the year. Will Smith and Freddie Freeman were retired, but Teoscar Hernandez drove in Ohtani with a double to put LA up 1-0.
The bottom of the third started with a concerning moment as Ohtani fouled off a cutter to his foot and let out a scream of pain. Fortunately, he had padding on his right foot, but he was wincing with every swing after that and eventually struck out. Positives emerged soon afterward as Smith and Freeman both singled, putting two runners on for Hernandez. He grounded what could have been an inning-ending double play, but busted it down the line, turning it into a force out that allowed Smith to score and added a second run to the scoreboard.
This lead was short-lived as Dodger killer Christian Walker came up in the fourth inning. After a lead-off single by Joc Pederson, Walker smacked a two-run shot to dead center, tying the game at 2-2.
The inning wasn’t done just yet as Arizona searched for more. A Lourdes Gurriel Jr. single, a Gabriel Moreno single, and an Eugenio Suárez walk loaded the bases. Miller then delivered a clutch sequence, getting the next three outs via a strikeout, an infield fly, and a groundout, leaving the bases loaded and escaping unscathed. Miller would end up going five in this one, surrendering only the two-spot on the home run. His final line for the evening: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. It took a lot of pitches to get through five, but it was definitely a step in the right direction for Miller.
Arizona achieved their first lead of the game in the seventh inning. A lead-off single by Geraldo Perdomo and a sacrifice bunt by Corbin Carroll set the stage for Ketel Marte, who hit a go-ahead RBI single to put the D-backs ahead 3-2.
The bottom of the seventh brought fireworks for the Dodgers. Since it was Japanese heritage night at the Ravine on Tuesday, Shohei Ohtani decided that he needed to do a bit more to send his fellow countrymen home happy. A lead-off walk by Gavin Lux set the table for Ohtani, who then hit a 433-foot home run to right field. The majestic blast put the Dodgers up 4-3 and Dodger Stadium went absolutely bonkers. It was his NL-leading 27th home run and his 10th in the last 14 games.
The seesaw battle continued as Arizona tied the game in the eighth. A soft bunt by Jake McCarthy meant to move Gabriel Moreno to to second base ended up bringing him all the way home to score after a poor throw to first base by reliever Blake Treinen scooted past Gavin Lux into the outfield.
The drama escalated in top of the ninth inning. Arizona regained the lead thanks to a home run by former Dodger Joc Pederson, which surely brought some nostalgia but was unwelcome for Dodgers fans. C’mon man, wrong team this time.
In the bottom of the ninth, things looked grim when both Gavin Lux and Shohei Ohtani struck out to put the D-backs and reliever Paul Sewald on the verge of victory. The Dodgers were against the wall. But hold up. Will Smith hit a double that nearly left the park but bounced off the wall. Then, Freddie Freeman came up clutch with a double of his own, tying the game at 5-5. Teoscar Hernandez then stepped up and dug in with a chance to send the Dodgers home a winner. It’s almost as if Hernandez is built for moments like these as he wasted no time to hit a go-ahead walk-off single to finish the comeback on their last on their last out of the game. If there was ever a better portfolio piece for an All-Star game, I don’t know what else it could be: Teo went 3-for-5 with three RBI, including the walk-off winner. Yeah, that’s better than Brandon Marsh.
WOW. What a game to start off this homestand before the All-Star break and what a comeback for the Boys in Blue. Miller performed well on the mound, and the offense showed great determination. Sleep tight, Dodgers fans, and don’t forget to vote for Teoscar Hernandez for the All-Star Game!
