Cody Snavely
Game 6, 3/31/2024: Dodgers 5, Cardinals 4
LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers look to avoid back-to-back series splits after dropping yesterday’s game in extra innings. They would look to Gavin Stone, who won a spot in the starting rotation due to a great Spring Training.
The Dodgers are making a strategic move for the final game of this series. They’re adjusting their lineup, bringing in more right-handed bats to counter the Cardinals’ left-handed starter, Steven Matz.
Gavin Stone debuted in May 2023, but the season did not go as planned for the young starter, as his fastball and change-up were hit hard. However, entering camp this season, Stone adjusted his mechanics and weight to help him with the workload of a big-league starter.
After an offseason of hard work paying off, Stone began his 2024 season by striking out the side in the first inning, getting two of those punchouts on his signature change-up. It was the Dodgers’ third game in a row that they kicked off the game by striking out the Cardinals’ side in order.
Entering the third inning, the Cardinals were in business after an infield hit by speedster Victor Scott and an RBI single by who else, Paul Goldschmidt, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
It only took Gavin Stone four innings to match his career-high in strikeouts (five). He commanded the zone well, keeping the Cardinals off balance with his fastball, change-up, and curve.
The Cardinals struck yet again in the top of the fifth after another Scott hit, which led to a run thanks to an RBI single by Brendan Donovan, bringing the Cardinals’ lead to two.
Stone would head back out in the top of the sixth, but after a leadoff walk, Dave Roberts signaled his hand to the Dodgers bullpen, which surrendered the lead yesterday. However, Stone ended his night going 5 IP, 7 H, 6 SO, 1 BB, and 3 ER on 85 pitches.
The Dodgers bullpen turned to Alex Vesia, who walked the first two batters he faced, loading the bases with only one out in the sixth inning. However, he rebounded by striking out Masyn Winn but hit Donavan, bringing in yet another run, making it 3-0.
For the second night in a row, a Dodgers catcher was called for catcher interference, which led to another run in the inning, making it 4-0.
While the Dodgers scored five runs in yesterday’s loss, they wasted multiple opportunities to cash in with runners on, specifically two bases-loaded situations in the first and tenth innings.
The Dodgers would already be at a massive disadvantage, missing two big bats in their lineup, as Max Muncy and Will Smith would get an early off day.
After an uneventful first inning, the Dodgers would start the second with a leadoff hit by Chris Taylor, who got the start in LF today. However, it would be erased immediately after a double play by Kiké Hernández and a flyout by James Outman to RF to end the inning.
Entering the bottom of the fourth inning, the Dodgers had a two-out rally going after back-to-back hits by super utility men Taylor and Hernández, bringing up James Outman, who would ground out softly to end the inning as the Dodgers still could not figure out Matz.
The Dodgers would finally strike for a run thanks to two doubles in the second inning by Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández, ending Steven Matz’s night.
After a pinch-hit Max Muncy single, the bases were again loaded for the Dodgers in the series, but would they cash in? Yes, but not enough, as they only scored one on the fielder’s choice by James Outman, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
The Dodgers were not dead yet, as Teoscar Hernández blasted his third home run of the series to bring them within one with five outs remaining.
The Dodgers would add on after a Chris Taylor walk. Max Muncy came in and blasted a go-ahead two-run homerun, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the night.
After scoring five unanswered runs, Daniel Hudson came in to collect his first save chance after tearing his MCL. Hudson would do just that, pitching a 1-2-3 scoreless ninth inning, closing out a Dodgers 5-4 victory, winning the series 3-1.
The Dodgers will host the San Francisco Giants next for a three-game series at Dodgers Stadium. They are now 4-2 on the young season.
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