Mike Salas
Game 133, 8/28/2024: Dodgers 6, Orioles 4
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — After waiting in line for hours to get their Shohei Ohtani/Decoy bobblehead, Dodger fans were hoping to be treated to a great pitching matchup between Walker Buehler and the Orioles’ Corbin Burnes. However, it didn’t turn out that way, thanks to sloppy defense on both sides. Nevertheless, the Dodgers were able to come from behind and best the Orioles by a score of 6-4.
Buehler’s best outing against the Orioles came in 2019 when he struck out 11 batters and pitched seven scoreless innings. On Wednesday, his first inning might have been his best start since returning from Tommy John surgery. Buehler’s fastball reached 96 mph, his curveball had good movement, and his breaking ball was sharp, striking out two batters.
It didn’t take long for the Dodgers to get on the board. On Ohtani’s bobblehead night, he crushed a home run to right field, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead over the Orioles.
In the second inning, Buehler was pitching well until the defense let him down. Max Muncy made a throwing error to first base, and Will Smith missed a chance to throw a third strike to first base. The Orioles took advantage of these mistakes, scoring two runs and extending Buehler’s time on the mound. They added another run to finish the inning with three runs, bringing Buehler’s pitch count up to 46.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Dodgers capitalized on an Orioles error. Mookie Betts hit a line drive up the middle, scoring Kiké Hernández. The Dodgers then took the lead when Teoscar Hernández crushed a ball to left field, bringing in Ohtani and Betts, and putting the Dodgers ahead 5-3.
After giving up a double with two outs in the fifth, Walker Buehler’s night came to an end. This was Buehler’s best start since returning from Tommy John surgery. His final stats were: 90 pitches, 59 strikes, 4.2 innings pitched, 5 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, 0 home runs, and a 5.88 ERA. It was very encouraging to see Buehler regain his first-pitch strikes, get swings and misses, and demonstrate much-improved command.
The Dodgers’ bullpen delivered another strong performance, shutting down the Orioles’ offense with 4.2 innings pitched, allowing just 2 hits, 0 earned runs, 0 walks, and recording 4 strikeouts. The Dodgers evened up the three-game series with a perfect one-two-three inning from Michael Kopech and hope to take the series with a win tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s game (8/29/24) starts at 7:10 p.m. PST and can be viewed on SportsNet LA, with the pre-game show beginning at 6:00 p.m. Bobby Miller will take the mound for LA, while Baltimore’s Cade Povich will face the Dodgers’ offense.
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