Steve Webb
Game 141, 9/6/2024: Dodgers 1, Guardians 3
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Rookie Landon Knack delivered a stellar start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the lack of offensive support led to a 3-1 defeat against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers struggled to break through against Cleveland’s pitching staff, while Knack’s strong effort wasn’t enough to avoid the loss.
Knack, in only his ninth major league start, showcased poise on the mound, striking out eight over six innings. He allowed just three hits and two runs, with the key blow being a two-run homer by Cleveland’s Andrés Giménez in the sixth inning. Prior to that, Knack had been cruising, effectively neutralizing Cleveland’s lineup. The line on Knack for the night was impressive: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K. His 91-pitch effort showed he could handle the pressure of a tight game, something that will certainly throw him into the conversation when the Dodgers’ front office thinks about roster construction for October.
However, Landon was let down by the Dodger bats in this one. The offense was stifled by Cleveland starter Matthew Boyd, who allowed just one run over six innings. Shohei Ohtani’s solo homer in the sixth inning off Boyd gave the Dodgers their only run, momentarily cutting the deficit to 2-1. Ohtani continues his MVP-caliber season, now with 45 home runs and 100 RBIs. With that homer, Shohei is now the only player in baseball history to hit the 45/45 plateau. He remains on pace for that magical 50/50 season, having already stolen his 46th bag. However, apart from Ohtani, the rest of the lineup couldn’t muster any more runs.
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman tried to spark rallies, with Betts notching two doubles and Freeman collecting a single and a walk. But key moments slipped away. In the eighth inning, the Dodgers threatened with the bases loaded and only one out. Cleveland’s reliever Hunter Gaddis induced a critical double play off the bat of Chris Taylor to end the inning, extinguishing Los Angeles’ best chance to tie the game. Sadly, the Taylor at-bat was caused by the exit of Teoscar Hernandez after Teo got plunked on the foot with a pitch in his first at-bat of the game. A rough break, and a beautiful opportunity squandered.
Cleveland added an insurance run in the eighth on a solo home run by Brayan Rocchio, extending their lead to 3-1. Despite that, the Dodgers’ bullpen performed well, with Daniel Hudson, Anthony Banda, and Ryan Brasier combining to allow just one run over the final three innings.
Ultimately, the Dodgers’ inability to string together hits or capitalize with runners in scoring position was the story. They managed just six hits and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position, leaving six men on base. As the postseason looms, the Dodgers will need to find more consistency on offense to complement their pitching efforts.
In the wake of the injury to Gavin Stone, it looks like the Dodgers are going to throw Justin Wrobleski in Game Two on Saturday, and then Jack Flaherty in Game Three on Sunday to finish up the week. Wrobo will be wanting to make a better showing than his disaster in the desert last Sunday, where he gave up ten earned runs. He’ll be matched up against righty Gavin Williams (3-7, 4.55 ERA, 64 SO), so if I were a betting man, I’d probably take the “over” on this one. The Dodgers will need a win to keep the Padres at bay. With their loss on Friday and the Padres win over San Francisco, the Dodgers have seen their lead slip back down to 4.0 games in the division. I know it’s gonna hurt us to say it, but let’s try, all together now: “GO GIANTS!!!”
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