Steve Webb
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — This was one of the more entertaining games of the season. Why? Because it was the opposite of the “three true outcomes” style of baseball, when there’s nothing but walks, strikeouts, and homers all day long. Instead, the Dodgers offense was relentless, spraying the ball all over the field and driving runners in when they got on. They were 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position on Sunday as they came from behind and won a see-saw battle with the Giants 7-4.
Big Three play small ball for Dodgers’ first run
Things got off to a very good start on Sunday. After Clayton Kershaw pitched a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, the Dodgers got right to work in the home half of the inning. After they all homered the day before, Betts, Trea, and Freeman went back-to-back-to-back with singles this time around. But it all added up to an RBI single for Freddie Freeman that scored Mookie Betts before Giants starter Alex Cobb could record an out. The rally sort of fizzled out after that, so the Dodgers had to be content with the 1-0 lead going into the second inning.
Kersh struggles with command, pays the price
After a masterful and efficient performance to go into the All-Star break, Clayton Kershaw wasn’t either of those things on Sunday. He battled, but he just wasn’t able to land some of his arm-side pitches in the early going. That resulted in a whole lot of traffic on the bases in innings two and three. Kershaw was able to get out of a bases-loaded jam in inning number two, but this luck ran out in the third.
He got the first two outs easily enough, but he couldn’t get his team off the field. First, he walked Darren Ruf. Then, Yermin Mercedes banged his second double of the day to put runners at second and third. That brought up infielder Thairo Estrada, who had whiffed on three pitches in the first. Not this time, though. Estrada banged a 1-1 fastball into left to clear the bases and give the Giants a 2-1 lead.
Another two-out rally to get back top
Just as they had when the Giants raced ahead on Thursday night, the Dodgers got right back into the game in the bottom of the same inning. It took a little while to get the rally started, though. Cobb retired Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman on a couple of infield grounders. But then the Boys in Blue got busy.
Jake Lamb ripped a double into the gap in right center to get the party started. Then, Gavin Lux pulled a 1-2 pitch into right to score Lamb. Usually one-run rally with two out is plenty, but the Dodgers continued to add on. Max Muncy came through with a double to score Lux all the way from first on a pretty close play at the plate. Finally, Trayce Thompson ripped a ball up the middle for a third straight RBI hit of the inning.
We love the big flies, boys, but small ball is fun, too. When Max Muncy crossed the plate, it was the 20th two-out run that the Dodgers had scored in this four-game series. That’s clutch, people.
Kershaw can’t hold lead
Gifted with a 4-2 lead, Clayton Kershaw was hoping to get through the fifth before handing it over to the bullpen. That didn’t happen. He got the first out of the inning on a grounder to the left side, but then things went south on him. On the next pitch, Wilmer Flores ripped a ball down the line that just stayed fair for a double. Then, two pitches later, Darren Ruf hit his second jack of the weekend to tie the game back up. That was the end of Kershaw’s day, a disappointing one to be sure: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. Yency Almonte came in to clean things up and send the Dodgers to the bat rack with the score still tied.
Clutch hitting in 7th to score three
The next few frames were pretty quiet for both teams, until the bottom of the seventh, when the Dodgers put together yet another nice rally. Freddie Freeman started it off with a one out double. It was Freeman’s second hit of the game, and it once again put the wheels in motion.
That brought up Jake Lamb, hitting in the cleanup spot for the first time this year. That caused a pitching change from Gabe Kapler. The Giants’ skipper tapped his right arm and brought in submarining righty Tyler Rogers. Rogers is having a bit of an off year in 2022, but he’s had his share of big moments in this rivalry. Lamb fell behind Rogers 1-2, but then he got a pitch he could handle. He got a 72-mph slider in the zone and he absolutely ripped it into right field. It landed on the track and hopped the fence for a ground rule double to put the Dodgers back on top 5-4.
But the Dodgers weren’t done. Gavin Lux ripped a single into center to score Lamb. Luxy was erased on a fielder’s choice off Max Muncy’s bat, leaving a man at first with two down. That brought up Trayce Thompson with a chance to tack on. With brother Klay cheering from the stands, Trayce smoked a gapper that allowed Muncy to score all the way from first. It was now 7-4 and Dodger Stadium was rocking.
Vesia and Kimbrel finish off the sweep
Now with a relatively comfy three-run lead, it was up to the bullpen to close this one out. And they did just that. Alex Vesia pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning, striking out two. Craig Kimbrel gave up a bloop single to Joey Bart in the 9th, but looked a whole lot better than he had earlier in the series. It was Kimbrel’s 17th save, and the Dodgers’ 8th win in a row.
Here come the Nats (and you know who)
Just ten days before the trade deadline, and guess who’s rolling into town? None other than the hapless Washington Nationals and, of course, slugger Juan Soto. No doubt there were be some interesting conversations with Washington GM Mike Rizzo this week. Nice to have America’s Most Wanted so nearby. Maybe Hanser Alberto can work his magic on his fellow countryman, and convince him of the nice amenities in the home clubhouse. It will be Tony Gonsolin leading things off on Monday night, toeing the rubber against Paolo Espino. 7:10 first pitch.
Cans of Corn…
- You gotta wonder how much the All-Star experience threw Kersh off his throwing schedule.
- Giants starter Alex Cobb was forced to wipe off his glove arm in the 5th inning. Seemed like he might have been dipping into the secret sauce a bit. After it was gone, the Dodgers were all over his pitches in that inning.
- Mookie took an nasty heater off the hip in the 8th. Scary moment. Seemed to be okay though.
- Great work by the pen in the last 4.2 innings. Even Phil Bickford.
- Looks like Andrew Heaney might get the start on Wednesday.
- Lamb, Lux, and Thompson were a combined 6-for-12 with five RBI and three runs scored. Very nice work, boys.
- Just think of how Klay Thompson’s celebrations went over in the 415. But, with all those rings, I think Klay’s bought himself enough good will to cheer for the little bro.
