Steve Webb
Game 81, 6/25/2024: Dodgers 4, White Sox 3
CHICAGO, IL — In an exciting game, the Los Angeles Dodgers managed to pull off a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox despite a rocky start from the recently returned Bobby Miller, thanks to some early heroics from you-know-who, and a solid comeback in the middle innings.
The game kicked off with a bang as Shohei Ohtani hit his 24th homer of the season, putting the Dodgers ahead 1-0 right away. That extended Shohei’s streak of consecutive games with an RBI to nine, which ties the franchise record, which dates all the way back to Roy Campanella, who achieved that feat in 1955, which tied a mark set earlier by both Augie Galan (1944) and Eddie Brown (1924). It wasn’t the most monumental of blasts, only 376 feet on a hanging curve from White Sox starter Chris Flexen, but Ohtani’s place in the Dodger record books is once again secure. The record is particularly remarkable when you consider that for eight of the nine games, Shohei has been batting lead-off, testament to how well the bottom of the order have been doing lately in setting the table for their prized slugger at the top of the order.
However, the White Sox quickly retaliated in the bottom of the first, with Andrew Benintendi hitting a two-run homer and Eloy Jimenez adding another run with an RBI double, making it 3-1 in their favor.
Dodgers’ pitcher Bobby Miller, just back from the injured list, struggled to find his rhythm, giving up these early runs. After a grueling first inning that took him 38 pitches and another 22 pitches in the second, manager Dave Roberts decided to pull the plug early on the night to protect his young arm for later in the year. Miller’s had moments on the comeback trail, but has struggled overall, much like teammate Walker Buehler. His final line for the night: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. His ERA for the year now sits at 6.75. Not great.
Despite Miller’s early exit, the Dodgers’ offense bounced back. In the third inning, Freddie Freeman smashed his 12th homer of the year, tying the game at 3-3. After an Ohtani walk and a lineout from Will Smith, Freeman connected on a 2-1 fastball to knot the score.
Then, in the fourth inning, the Dodgers then took the lead for good with a little small ball. A Gavin Lux walk, a Miguel Vargas single, and an RBI single from Shohei put the visiting Dodgers out in front by a score of 4-3. And there the score would stay for the rest of the game, as it was up to the increasingly taxed bullpen to preserve the team’s slim lead.
With Miller out, the Dodgers bullpen had a heavy load, needing to cover seven innings. Michael Petersen started strong and got the win, followed by Yohan Ramirez, Anthony Banda, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, and finally Evan Phillips, who all managed to keep the White Sox at bay. Hudson and Phillips especially shined, with Hudson cruising through the 8th inning and Phillips closing out the 9th with ease.
The win put the Dodgers at a 50-31 record, solidifying their lead in the NL West. With the season now officially at its mathematical halfway point, it puts the Dodgers on pace for their fifth straight 100-win season. They aim for a series sweep in the next game on Wednesday, with Gavin Stone set to pitch against Erick Fedde. The team’s resilience and strategic bullpen management were key to their victory, demonstrating their depth and determination.
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